Ambassadors in Action - Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad

August 8, 2004 - U.S. Ambassador and Special Presidential Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad hands a box of school supplies to an Afghan girl at Aschiana, a school for street children, in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Ambassador and U.S. Embassy military and civilian staff delivered 200 boxes of school supplies that had been donated by Americans from across the United States.

"These donations by the American people to the children of Afghanistan are symbolic of a larger effort to improve the quality of lives of Afghan children, who have suffered unspeakable deprivations during decades of war and extremist rule by the Taliban. The United States is committed to working with the people of Afghanistan and the international community to create the stability and prosperity that will allow Afghan children to enjoy the fruits of a real childhood -- a secure environment, educational opportunities, nurturing families, good nutrition and so much more," said U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

Americans over the last couple of months have donated and sent to U.S. Embassy staff hundreds of boxes of school supplies for Afghan children. Americans from Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin have sent boxes of school supplies. Photo by U.S. Embassy Kabul.