Afghan school children draw for International Peace Day

21 Sep 2010

Afghan school children draw for International Peace Day

21 September 2010 - About 100 Afghan school children, most of them girls, took part last week in a drawing competition in eastern Afghanistan to mark International Peace Day on 21 September.

 

The competition was organized in Jalalabad city, by the youth authorities of Nangarhar province, with financial and technical support provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“About three weeks ago, I was informed by the Youth Department to prepare for a peace drawing competition. I was so excited waiting for it because I very much like drawing about peace so my drawings may deliver good messages to the people,” said 13-year-old schoolgirl Raihana, who won top prize in the competition.

“I was eager and hoped to get first place and, luckily, I did. I am very happy. I always pray for peace in Afghanistan, and thank all those struggling for peace, especially the UN who support us in bringing peace to our country.”

Speaking after the competition, Nuragha Zwak, Sub Director of the Youth Department of Nangarhar province, said that the students had been divided into several groups for the competition.

“According to the jury, six participants, whose drawings were evaluated as excellent, were provided with prizes provided by UNICEF,” said Mr Zwak.

“We celebrated Youth International Day on 12 August 2010, and soon after started preparation for our Peace Day activities. We’ll continue with our peace events, such as a peace poetry competition, kite flying and a sports competition involving school boys and a tennis competition for school girls, until the end of September,” he added.

By Shafiqullah Waak, UNAMA