Campus UNICEF

Mission for 2006/2007

Country: Malawi

Mission : Schools for Africa Initiative

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, where 42% of the population live on less than $1 a day and life expectancy at birth is only 41 years. More than half of all 12.6 million people in the country are children under 18 years old and while many boys and girls are enrolled in school, less than half will reach grade five and less than 10% will attend high school.

In Malawi, huge barriers to education exist, including a lack of teachers, textbooks, and functioning facilities. Girls face an added barrier to education because many schools do not have separate washroom facilities for boys and girls. Many children are facing extremely difficult realities. HIV infection among the population is high – 500,000 children have lost one or both parents to AIDS – and many teachers are ill or have died.

Therefore, Campus UNICEF, at the University of Calgary, aims to surpass last year’s $4000 goal through continual efforts in fundraising at the University this year. The money raised will go directly to support the children in Malawi in the Schools for Africa Initiative.

We sincerely hope that you will support and join us in this ambitious but worthwhile endeavour by volunteering or participating in our upcoming events.

We hope to see you soon!!!

Current Situation of Children in Malawi

Only ~60% of the population are literate

Only 44% of children in primary school reach grade 5

Only 8.5% of children attend secondary school

~54% of the population (12.6 million) are under 18

42% of the population live on less than $1 a day

Malawi ’s human development index is ranked 165 th out of 177 countries

Current Health Situation

HIV/AIDS: 900,000 men and women are afflicted – 58% are women. 80,000 children under 15 years are infected. 15% of girls between 15 and 19 are infected. Mother-to-child transmission threatens to infect another 20,000-40,000 newborns each year.

Malaria: this vicious killer accounts for ~1/5 of all hospital deaths and 40% of outpatient visits. A successful nation-wide Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Net (ITN) initiative has been implemented, and it is one of the largest ITN distribution programmes in Africa. Since 2002, 3.5 million ITNs have been delivered; the proportion of children sleeping under a net rose from 7% to 60% in 2005.

Project Objectives and Key Areas of Focus

Building supportive school environments where all children have the same opportunity for access, completion, and achievement

Keeping orphans and other vulnerable children in school

To support the development of teachers and promote better education

Campus UNICEF Funds Will Enable…

Construction of 2 classroom blocks in 26 schools

Rehabilitation of 200 schools

Provision of teaching and learning materials to 200 schools

Rehabilitation of latrines and sanitation facilities in 14 schools

Introduction of measures to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation

Training for 1,600 teachers

Office : MSC 279M

unicef@ucalgary.ca


	Mission for 2006/2007 Country: Malawi Mission : Schools for Africa Initiative Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, where 42% of the population live on less than $1 a day and life expectancy at birth is only 41 years. More than half of all 12.6 million people in the country are children under 18 years old and while many boys and girls are enrolled in school, less than half will reach grade five and less than 10% will attend high school. In Malawi, huge barriers to education exist, including a lack of teachers, textbooks, and functioning facilities. Girls face an added barrier to education because many schools do not have separate washroom facilities for boys and girls. Many children are facing extremely difficult realities. HIV infection among the population is high – 500,000 children have lost one or both parents to AIDS – and many teachers are ill or have died. Therefore, Campus UNICEF, at the University of Calgary, aims to surpass last year’s $4000 goal through continual efforts in fundraising at the University this year. The money raised will go directly to support the children in Malawi in the Schools for Africa Initiative. We sincerely hope that you will support and join us in this ambitious but worthwhile endeavour by volunteering or participating in our upcoming events. We hope to see you soon!!! Current Situation of Children in Malawi Only ~60% of the population are literate Only 44% of children in primary school reach grade 5 Only 8.5% of children attend secondary school ~54% of the population (12.6 million) are under 18 42% of the population live on less than $1 a day Malawi ’s human development index is ranked 165 th out of 177 countries Current Health Situation HIV/AIDS: 900,000 men and women are afflicted – 58% are women. 80,000 children under 15 years are infected. 15% of girls between 15 and 19 are infected. Mother-to-child transmission threatens to infect another 20,000-40,000 newborns each year. Malaria: this vicious killer accounts for ~1/5 of all hospital deaths and 40% of outpatient visits. A successful nation-wide Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Net (ITN) initiative has been implemented, and it is one of the largest ITN distribution programmes in Africa. Since 2002, 3.5 million ITNs have been delivered; the proportion of children sleeping under a net rose from 7% to 60% in 2005. Project Objectives and Key Areas of Focus Building supportive school environments where all children have the same opportunity for access, completion, and achievement Keeping orphans and other vulnerable children in school To support the development of teachers and promote better education Campus UNICEF Funds Will Enable… Construction of 2 classroom blocks in 26 schools Rehabilitation of 200 schools Provision of teaching and learning materials to 200 schools Rehabilitation of latrines and sanitation facilities in 14 schools Introduction of measures to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation Training for 1,600 teachers Office : MSC 279M unicef@ucalgary.ca