The Afghanistan Challenge: Canadians Matching Hope With Action
The Afghanistan Challenge was an initiative by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), launched in the spring of 2009, which raised funds by Canadian organisations that the Government of Canada proudly matched dollar for dollar. The Afghanistan Challenge provided an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about development and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, and helped raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for deserving causes.
The Government of Canada would like to sincerely thank all of those who participated and contributed to the programme’s success.
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) along with several organizations, WUSC, CARE Canada, MEDA, Rotary Canada, the Micronutrient Initiative and the World Food Programme, who were all active in Afghanistan, came together to create the Afghanistan Challenge.
By going online, Canadians were able to make small-scale donations and contribute to a development project of their choice in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, and skills training. Through participating partner websites, Canadians were able to follow individual projects and share information with friends, family, and classmates through their own social networks.
The Afghanistan Challenge has been an innovative partnership that brought real development results to Afghanistan, raised awareness, and created strong and effective partnerships while deepening Canadians’ understanding of our engagement there.
While there are no plans to continue or replicate the Challenge at this time, thanks to the support and generosity of Canadians, the following results have been achieved:
CARE Canada and WUSC (World University Service of Canada) for vocational training scholarships for women:
- 74 vulnerable women and adult dependants graduated from three different trade specific training courses (beautician, house wiring and plumbing). Six training institutions received capacity building in management and financial systems
- 69 training instructors and Business Development Officers (BDOs) received Training of Trainers training sessions
MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) for microfinance loans for women:
7,140 women were supported through the Women for Women Microfinance Afghanistan
Rotary International for the construction of a school:
- Built and furnished a new two-storey school in Jalalabad, classes began in September 2010. Over 3,000 students benefitted from the new school facilities.
- The school features a computer lab, a preschool centre, and a basketball and volleyball court.
- The Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development has also engaged over 360 Canadian Rotary clubs and thousands of Rotarians in this project.
