'donations instead of gifts' gets kids into school

With our Christmas donation program, we're helping children in developing countries get into school - Education gives them a opportunity for a better life.

With the 'donations instead of gifts' campaign, we're helping children in Africa get into school. The chance to learn is something special for millions of boys and girls in Africa. In countries south of the Sahara, one out of every three children has no opportunity to get an education. Girls, orphans, and children from the poorest families are especially disadvantaged. 

Under the motto 'Schools for Africa' UNICEF is building additional classrooms, training teachers, and providing school materials. The goal is to have every child obtain a good basic education by 2015, and the progress to date is encouraging. 'donations instead of gifts' has helped UNICEF repair or build more than 700 schools. In addition, 95,000 teachers have participated in courses to improve their instruction. UNICEF is also providing schools materials in countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa.