The Afghanistan Challenge: Canadians Matching Hope With Action
The people of Afghanistan had endured decades of suffering in a country that had become one of the poorest in the world. From the devastation of war to a lack of even the most basic of services such as jobs, education and water, the people of Afghanistan were without hope.
Since 2002, Canadians have been active in Afghanistan, helping to rebuild the country and in turn the lives of the men, women and children who live there. Canada is focusing on a targeted set of objectives consistent with Afghan objectives and the efforts of the international community.
The Afghanistan Challenge
In keeping with Canada’s priorities on Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Challenge is an initiative that matches the funds raised by Canadian organizations, who are directly involved in the development effort in Afghanistan. By making small-scale donations over the Internet, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by their Government, Canadians are able to contribute to the development project of their choice, led and facilitated by Canadian partners.
By going online to the Afghanistan Challenge website at www.AfghanistanChallenge.ca, Canadians can learn more about the projects that partners are working on in support of the needs of Afghans. The Challenge addresses specific areas of concern defined by Afghans in line with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and corresponds to Canada’s priority to improve the capacity of basic services to be delivered to Afghan citizens.
The first phase of the Afghanistan Challenge begins May 14, 2009 and will last for approximately six months. Pending review of the success of this first phase, a second will commence in the fall of 2009 and continue through 2011. The three projects in this phase of the pilot campaign have a goal to raise $500,000 CDN. Updates on the progress being made on each project will be provided on the Challenge Partner websites.
This phase of the Challenge initiative offers Canadians the opportunity to engage in the Afghan mission via three projects, as led by the following Challenge Partners:
- CARE Canada and WUSC (World University Service of Canada) for vocational training scholarships for women;
- MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) for microfinance loans for women; and
- Rotary International for the construction of a school.
Campaign Partners who are doing work in Afghanistan and are running a challenge project during the pilot phase are as follows:
CARE Canada is one of Canada's leading development and humanitarian organizations, with more than 60 years of experience serving the world's poorest communities. CARE has a skilled workforce with knowledge and experience of the special circumstances that prevail in states emerging from social and ethnic conflict.
For over 50 years, MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) has been helping the working poor around the world, bringing dignity and joy by helping them grow sustainable, locally owned small businesses that are not dependent on charity for survival.
Through innovative international development, MEDA provides a future for families and whole communities, working to enrich, encourage and assist individuals and their families in improving their standard of living. MEDA is a world leader in international development known for creative initiatives, smart planning and proper execution, and for working closely with governments, foundations and businesses.
A leading Canadian international development agency, the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a network of individuals and post-secondary institutions. WUSC's mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training.
Rotary International is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
Rotarians provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Clubs are non-political, non-religious, and open to all. Leading the Rotary effort on behalf of Rotary International will be the Rotary Club of Winnipeg.
Engagement Partners committed to raising awareness about the Challenge this phase are as follows:
Passionate about developing and implementing solutions for hidden hunger, the Micronutrient Initiative (MI) is the world’s leading organization working exclusively to eliminate vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the world’s most vulnerable populations. In partnership with governments, the private sector and civil society organizations MI works to address this serious problem that affects one third of the world’s population. Governed by an international Board of Directors, MI works in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and reaches people in more than 70 countries. With headquarters in Ottawa, Canada, MI maintains regional offices in New Delhi, India and Dakar, Senegal that manage their country offices in Asia and Africa.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against global hunger. WFP uses food aid to meet emergency needs and support economic and social development. Operational in more than 80 countries, it relies exclusively on donations of commodities and money. WFP works to put hunger at the centre of the international agenda, promoting policies, strategies and operations that directly benefit the hungry poor. In 2009 WFP aims to feed around 100 million people.
