Angelina Jolie, actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, donated $75,000 to fund a new primary school for girls in Tangi, Afghanistan.
Jolie visited a refugee settlement in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province in October 2008 and was moved by stories of displaced families who were reluctant to sent their daughters to co-ed schools for cultural reasons.
Thanks to Jolie’s generous donation, the new all-girl school opened it’s doors Monday. The building features eight classrooms, four administration buildings and can accommodate up to 800 students.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, 14-year-old Laila expressed her excitement, “I always had hopes and dreams of going to school. The hope to become a qualified teacher has revived in me.”
Her father, Ustad, adds, “This is what we needed here and I believe there is a need for every community if we want to build the future of our country – to build schools and get education.”
Igbal Azizi, head of the region’s provincial education, stressed the importance of Jolie’s gift. Tangi girls, he said “otherwise would have been deprived of education.”