Students And Schools Win Prizes In WFP Children’s Design Competition
Kabul – Artwork by Mariam Ahmadi has been named as one of the winners in the international WFP Children's Design Competition for 2017, organized by the United Nations World Food Programme.
The winning design portrays Miriam’s experience of her school in Badghis province, where students sits under trees or in the school yard because there are not enough class rooms. The moving drawing, which depicts one of her literacy classes, was among 20 finalists chosen from a short list of 120 drawings by schoolchildren in 22 different countries.
Recently, in Badghis province, WFP presented Mariam, aged 12, and her school with a prize in recognition of the excellent work they do in spite of their challenging situation.
All the students competing in the event are attending schools that participate in WFP’s worldwide school meals programmes, which are designed to both fortify the health of school children as well as keep them in the classroom even during difficult times. Students receive meals or snacks in school, and/or take-home rations.
Around the world, WFP provides food to more than 16 million children in school meals programmes in 60 countries. Education plays a significant role in breaking the cycle of hunger, and WFP strives to reach the poorest and most vulnerable children.
Mariam loves drawing and wants to travel the world. Through her drawing, she wishes to show her country’s problems. She dreams of becoming a heart surgeon when she grows up. “The vegetable oil I receive from WFP, is enough for my family, we don’t need to buy cooking oil from market,” vows the seventh grade student at Abgarmak girl’s high school in Qala-I-Naw, Badghis province. “I want to continue my study and go to Turkey for my higher education.”
“These children are the future of Afghanistan. To ensure a healthy future for the country we must to invest in their education today,” Said Mick Lorentzen, WFP Representative and Country Director for Afghanistan.
The theme of this year’s competition, which involved both a drawing and an accompanying explanatory text, was “Zero Hunger: The future begins with food.”
Five drawings from Afghanistan were originally submitted to the competition judges at WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy. They were selected from more than 40 entries.
“All of us at WFP congratulate these young artists for creating such unique and inspiring works,” said Mr. Lorentzen.
The designs from the competition will be displayed in WFP Headquarters and will also be incorporated into wall calendars and greeting cards for global distribution to raise awareness of the World Food Programme’s work.
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About WFP
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
WFP has been working in Afghanistan since 1963 with the aim of helping Afghans build a hunger-free future for themselves and their country. WFP food is distributed on the basis of need, without regard for ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
WFP Afghanistan operates a feedback hotline number and welcomes comments, complaints and feedback regarding the distribution of WFP food assistance. Please call: 0790-555-544
Contact information:
Wahidullah Amani, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-884, wahidullah.amani@wfp.org
Fezeh Hosseini, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-847, fezeh.hosseini@wfp.org