UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador and multi-platinum recording star Clay Aiken visited Afghanistan in April, 2007.  Word reached the American news media that Clay arrived in Afghanistan on April 3^rd.  Because of safety concerns, Clay’s visit was kept secret until he and his traveling companions were in a safe environment.

Traveling with UNICEF country representative, Catherine Mbengue and his high school teacher Mary Props, Clay visited schools in Kabul and Bamiyan.

Clay and Mary Props spent almost two weeks on this fact-finding trip.  When they returned, Clay reported that in Afghanistan, UNICEF had distributed teaching and learning materials to 2.71 million children and 61,780 teachers, supported Mobile School Protection Teams in 34 provinces, and trained 614 teacher trainers as well as 8,110 newly recruited female teachers.

After returning home to the United States, Clay started an appeal called “$100,000 in 10 Days.”  On the 10^th day, the following announcement was released by UNICEF.  “Congratulations!  We raised $181,783.03 for the kids of Afghanistan during this ten day campaign.  That’s $80,000 more than the original goal we set for this campaign.”

Congratulations to UNICEF, Clay and many of his fans who worked together to help the children in Afghanistan.

It was a good team effort.

When Clay returned home, UNICEF released a wonderful video of Clay’s trip.  Take a look.