Published in The News on May 23, 2013
The US Ambassador, Richard Olson joined staff of the SOS Children’s Village of Islamabad to inaugurate a new English language laboratory at SOS here on Wednesday.
Established with a grant from the US Ambassador’s Fund, the new lab will enable the children living at the SOS Children’s Village to improve their English language skills. To furnish the lab, the US government bought 22 computers, furniture, a printer, and special English language software.
“The US government funds comprehensive education programmes that will help millions of Pakistani children. Our funding of the new English language lab for the SOS Children’s Village is an example of this assistance. It shows how the United States and Pakistan can work together to improve the lives of Pakistan’s children,” said Ambassador Olson at the inauguration of the English lab.
When asked about the impact of this English language lab, SOS Children’s Village of Islamabad Chairperson, Ms. Naznin Murtaza, said, “English has become the common language of business and education throughout the world. However, most of the SOS children are from backgrounds that have not afforded them the opportunities to learn English. The US funded English language lab will help these children overcome that challenge and equip them with English language skills so they can rise as far as their talent and hard work will take them.”
The SOS Children’s Village of Islamabad was established in July 2011, and is currently supporting 92 boys and girls, along with 13 mothers. Most of these children are from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and were orphaned by the devastating 2005 earthquake.
This initiative is one part of a comprehensive US education assistance programme, which includes building or rehabilitating nearly 800 schools; launching new degree programs in education at 90 teacher colleges and universities; providing scholarships for 12,000 students to study in Pakistan; and operating the largest Fulbright academic exchange program in the world.
The US Ambassador’s Fund is a $15 million grant programme managed by USAID and implemented under a contract with the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP). The fund provides opportunities for Pakistani NGOs, civil society groups, private sector organisations, and communities to apply for and receive funding assistance to improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community level and support high-impact, quick-implementation activities. Interested parties should visit NRSP’s website at www.sgafp.org.pk.
