Malala announces first grant from fund set up in her name
Malala Yousafzai announced the first grant from the charity fund set up in her name, with the support of actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie.
The Pakistani schoolgirl, who is currently studying in Birmingham, said it was the "happiest moment of her life."
ITV News' Sejal Karia reports:
The grant will support the education of 40 girls in Pakistan, are aged between five and 12 years old. For security reasons the name of the organisation or the specific community will not be made public.
Fifteen-year-old Malala, set up a fund to support education rights for women in Pakistan after surviving being shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan in October last year.
ITV News reporter Faye Barker has the story:
Malala made the announcement last night in a video streamed at the Women in the World Summit in New York City.
Hollywood actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie introduced the video and pledged $200,000 to the fund.
When Malala was shot on October 9, the bullet entered just above her left eye and ran along her jaw, "grazing" her brain. It was later removed by surgeons in Pakistan before she was flown to the UK.
She was released from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on February 8 after doctors said she was making a good recovery from her surgery. She has since started studying at a school in the city.
Jolie praised Malala for her courage in not cowering to her attackers. She said:
The Malala Fund supports the right to education for girls in Pakistan and across the world. The first grant was raised with support from Vital Voices, Angelina Jolie and the Women in the World Foundation.
Malala said she was delighted to be announcing the grant. She said:
Working with the girls and their families, the organization will enroll the girls in school, offer a safe space for convening and provide them with resources and support to adapt to an educational environment, such as school uniforms, shoes, and learning materials.
Each family will receive a monthly stipend. The organization and the school will continue to work with the families and the community to highlight the importance of girls’ education.
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