| Project | MERCY Little Caliph |
| Objectives | • To prepare children for primary school • Psychosocial intervention |
| Project Partners | NA |
| Activities | • Conduct classes in basic Pashto, Dari, English, Islamic studies and mathematics based on a syllabus approved by the Department of Education • Vaccinate the students and provide them with food supplements to improve their health and nutritional status |
| Locations | Kandahar City, Afghanistan |
| Period | Ongoing since 2003 |
| Accomplishments | Two batches of 30 students each were accepted into the school |
BACKGROUND
MERCY Little Caliph (MLC), which began in October 2003, provides pre-school education for children aged between five and ten in batches of 30 children. It started as a service to make it easier for patients, particularly women, to attend the clinic and the Vocational Training Centre (VTC). Its premises are situated in the Comprehensive Health Clinic building.
During the Taliban ruling, children found it hard to get education. Girls in particular were often discouraged and at times banned from attending schools. Now, post-Taliban, there are still cases of girls’ schools being targeted by armed opposition groups.
MERCY MALAYSIA’S EFFORTS
The children are enrolled into courses which run for two years at a time, covering classes one to two. Classes run from six to seven months at a time, six days a week and three-and-a-half hours per day. Refreshments are also provided during class, supplementing their daily meals with nutritious food. Even though this project does not fall within the confines of MERCY Malaysia’s main focus areas, it is considered a worthwhile contribution to the country’s efforts to build a better educated and healthier youth segment among its population. It also allows all children, regardless of gender, to access the education system in an environment where there is constant exposure towards security risks.