The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has awarded the Confucius literacy prize and $20,000 to UK registered charity Serve Afghanistan for their work with an ethnic minority in the country called the Pashai.

The Pashai Language Development Project, which provides livelihood, public health and nutrition education to the ethnic group, was started in 1999 by Serve Afghanistan, partners with international Christian relief and development agency Tearfund.

Commenting on the award, a Serve Afghanistan spokesperson said, "We are greatly encouraged that UNESCO has granted Serve Afghanistan this award as recognition of the combined efforts of our Serve colleagues, the Pashai Dera-i-Noor community, their elders and the government of Afghanistan."

"The way these groups are cooperating has created an effective synergy bringing immeasurable benefit to the neediest people in that community and providing a possible role model that other groups in Afghanistan may be willing and able to follow."