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Trust In Education Newsletter
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Most of you already know about and plan for our packing parties for Afghanistan.TIE's redistribution of stuff program is very successful. We've got it, they need it, and the US air force along with USAID provide a way to deliver it for free. It's a logistical nightmare but with boxes, a tape gun, some tape and a host of friends and volunteers, the program has become our least expensive and most popular. Below is one of my favorite and personally embarrassing cultural differences I discovered last year.
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In May 2008 our first shipment of donated clothing, blankets, shoes, toys, school and medical supplies arrived while I was in Kabul. That triggered a number of logistical and policy issues. First, how should the donations be distributed and to whom? We decided that we would first invite women and children to our office to select what they needed. Several Afghan men complained that the "women were too busy" and that it would be "difficult for them". The men of course weren't " busy". The "difficulty" for Afghan women is most often created by husbands and traditions that require women to stay home. We stuck to our plan not knowing how many women and children would be allowed to come.
We then decided that TIE's teachers would select which families to invite. It's impossible for anyone in their position to leave out relatives and friends, but at least we knew the poorest among the poor would also be included.
Jerseys from LMYA (Lafayette Moraga Youth Association) worn proudly in Tangi Saidan
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I was concerned about the pushing, shoving and fights that would certainly occur if everyone was allowed to descend upon the piles of gifts we had assembled. After all I had seen news footage showing large crowds pressed against glass doors waiting for the start of an "Annual Clearance Day". I thought, if people trample one another for things on sale, imagine what will happen when we offer free clothing, blankets, and toys to people living in the fifth poorest country in the world. I considered hiring guards. Instead I devised a riot proof system. 
On D day (distribution day) around 75 women arrived by 9, the designated start time. We created groups consisting of fifteen women. Each group would be given five minutes to select no more than 15 articles. The groups drew numbers to determine which group would go first, second etc. We planned to continue the 5 minute cycles until all the donations were gone. I watched as the group of women were told of my system. Several laughed, a few looked my way, and more than half the faces were covered by burquas. I had the clear impression that my system made no sense to them.
 The first group of 15 began. The other groups moved closer and closer to the piles. A few broke ranks and joined the first fifteen. I had two choices, to enforce the system or abandon it. Against my better judgment, I motioned the remaining groups to join in. To my complete amazement there was no shoving or pushing.
No one yelled or became angry. When two women would pull the same garment from a pile, both would insist that the other keep the garment. Their reaction was the exact opposite of what I had expected.
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This has become one of my favorite stories to share with American children. It gives them pause, as it did me. How is it that people who have so little instinctively share w hat they have? Is it possible that the more we acquire the less generous we become? The answer of course depends upon the individual. Rest assured, however, that should you visit Afghanistan you will discover some of the most hospital people in the world. It's a reputation they have earned, and that I have been fortunate enough to experience. He wants to know what TIE's exchange policy is....
To watch a video of one of our D days held last November click here. "They're beautiful" D Day Video
Many of you have asked when another packing party for Afghanistan will be held. As soon as we can clear out the 20,000 pounds that are now waiting in a warehouse to be shipped. My porch remains an option for the compulsive among you who can't stand clutter. I on the other hand just move to another room. One day I will make a sweatshirt that reads "I am not a slob" -- "I have a high tolerance for disorder".
D day is over --- not a thread remains
Enjoy the weekend -- Don't watch the news!
Best Regards,
Budd
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