Preschoolers At Primrose Schools Raise Money To Send $42,000 Worth Of School Supplies To Afghanistan

(Thursday, June 22, 2006) - Twenty thousand preschoolers from Primrose Schools recently raised $20,000, which was matched in-kind by School Specialty, and used to purchase 250 active learning kits for several schools in Afghanistan. The first shipment arrived in Kabul, with additional kits set to arrive over the next few weeks. The first school to receive the kits sent back a thank you note and photographs of smiling Afghan children playing with the learning toys.
Preschoolers at Primrose Schools raised the money by doing chores and making friendship bracelets to sell as part of "Celebrating Cultures," a month-long curriculum to foster tolerance and respect.
Primrose partnered with School Specialty and Creative Learning to purchase and deliver the kits. Each kit includes a play kitchen set, soft globes, culturally appropriate puppets, building blocks, and magnifying glasses. Along with the donation of kits, children sent handcrafted friendship bracelets, bookmarks and cards.
"The children here desperately need resources. Under the Taliban rule, girls weren't even allowed to attend school," said Maqsoda Maqsodi, a volunteer with Creative Learning.
Maqsodi was born in Kabul and attended the Zarghona School until her family fled to India when she was six years old. As an adult, Maqsodi has worked on various educational projects in Afghanistan including helping to run underground schools for girls during the Taliban rule.
"I came to the United States in 1989 but have never forgotten the children and people of Afghanistan," Maqsodi said. "It's exciting to see children in the United States learn about Afghan children and reach out to them in such a meaningful way."
Primrose Schools embraces a Balanced Learning(R) Curriculum that includes character development, academics and play.
"We're donating active learning kits that teachers can use to educate children about the world around them. This initiative integrates within our own cultural awareness program," Jo Kirchner, president and CEO of Primrose Schools, said. "We want to create a multi-cultural environment that encourages and promotes collaboration, generosity, kindness and respect for others."
Primrose School Franchising Company, Acworth, GA, is the country's leader in early childhood education. The company currently operates schools in 12 states and has more than 130 locations. For more information on Primrose Schools, visit http://www.primroseschools.com/ .

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