KABUL, Afghanistan – The United Arab Emirates became the first major donor to the Afghan national security force literacy trust fund with a donation of $10 million, April 21.
“This significant contribution by the U.A.E. will help set things in motion for us to continue to get other donations from other countries to be able to fully support the literacy program,” said Dr. Jack Kem, civilian deputy to the commander of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. “It also is a statement of the enduring commitment by the international community to support literacy here in Afghanistan.”
Only about 14 percent of troops entering the ANSF can write their own name. There are currently 76,000 ANSF troops enrolled in literacy classes, a number which continues to grow. More than 78,000 Afghans have completed the classes, which currently teach to the first grade level.
More than 2,100 Afghan instructors teach those enrolled in the mandatory literacy courses, said Kem. The donation from the United Arab Emirates will help pay for these instructors, as well as the supplies necessary for the class, such as notebooks and pencils.