Yes, I'm back from Afghanistan and safe. Whether I'm of sound mind depends upon the eye of the beholder. It's an interesting phenomenon. But for the presence of tanks, soldiers, police road blocks, AK-47s, and reports of kidnappings and bombings, I felt safe. Afghans do in fact make guests feel welcome. Several have assured me that they would, as is their "duty", protect me. Fortunately, it hasn't been necessary.
This was a very productive trip. While there, Trust in Education was approved as a "Foreign" NGO, authorized to work in Afghanistan. Not all NGOs are approved. The process took three months. Paying the $1,000 fee following approval required Asma and I to obtain fifteen signatures. During the four hour bureaucratic marathon there was only one bribery attempt. Asma rebuffed the attempt without hesitating. |
Remember the girl's school in Tangi Saidan that was losing the
4th, 5th and 6th grades in May, because the government couldn't afford the teachers? TIE, through the generosity of one donor, paid the cost of the five teachers they needed. Two months later, I was asked whether we could fund an additional two teachers for the 9th grade, which we did.
The headmaster of the school informed me during my recent visit, that our support led to the Ministry of Education agreeing to provide teachers through the 12th grade next Spring. This is a very important development. Some families only see the need to educated girls throu gh the 6th grade. Finally the girls now have a volley ball court and the school is willing to set aside a room for computer classes if TIE can find the funds. We will.
Girls now attend classes through 12th grade in Tangi Saidan.
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Upon learning that the boys school only offered classes through the 9th grade, I arranged to meet with it's headmaster. We began by discussing what it would cost to add the 10th grade. He and several teachers then proposed that we consider financing after school math and science courses. I asked which was most important, if TIE could only finance one. They all agreed the a fter school classes were more important.
Earlier the headmaster for the girls' school had told me that they were required to teach 17 subjects. As a consequence science was taught only two hours a week.
The consensus was that students going through the system were not being adequately prepared, particularly in the areas of math and science.
I think TIE will be able to support both, as long as our media stops reporting on the decline of our economy. The other day when asked about his 401(k) a man responded by saying, "I now refer to it as my 201(k)". When you finish reading this newsletter go buy something! We need to prime the pump.
The headmaster learns how shin guards are worn
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After discussing curriculum and budgets we turned to the fun part, soccer. They had asked for and we provided goal posts for their soccer field. We also provided uniforms and shin guards donated by families in Lafayette. The boys' school has 1400 students and less than 50 participate in their soccer program. Check out the size and condition of their soccer field. They also don't have someone to run an after school soccer program.
Another budget is underway that includes renting land from a farmer that ad joins the school to provide a soccer field and a more inclusive program.
Several years ago I showed a group of American children a photo of the school we helped fund in Lalander. I have not forgotten their very first questions, "Where is the playground? Where are the swings?" I ask the same questions now, whenever I visit a school in Afghanistan.
Tangi Saidan soccer field and players
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On a final note, the most animated response from the headmaster came when I asked him whether Tangi Saidan's soccer team would be willing to play Lalander's team. He laughed, smiled, and said "We can be ready tomorrow". TIE will solve the logistics issues in the Spring. And thus begins another program, that costs so little, and brings so much joy.
Boys wearing Jerseys from Lafayette
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Have a great weekend
Budd MacKenzie
Trust In Education
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