AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, May 22, 2013 (PPI-OT): U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson joined staff of the SOS Children’s Village of Islamabad to inaugurate a new English language laboratory at SOS today. Established with a grant from the U.S. 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 U.S. government bought 22 computers, furniture, a printer, and special English-language software. “The U.S. government funds comprehensive education programs 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 new U.S.-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 U.S. education assistance program, 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 U.S. Ambassador’s Fund is a $15 million grant program managed by USAID and implemented under a contract with the National Rural Support Program (NRSP). The fund provides opportunities for Pakistani NGOs, civil society groups, private sector organizations, 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.
To learn more about many other U.S.-Pakistan initiatives that are making a positive impact on the lives of Pakistanis – in energy, economic development, and health – please visit http://transition.usaid.gov/pk/ or email us at uspakassistance@state.gov.
For more information, contact:
Alberto Rodriguez
Spokesman
Information Office Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Cell: +92300 501 2640
Tel: +9251-208 0000
Fax: +9251-227 8607
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov