It's 3:33 am in Kabul, time to fill you in on yesterday's meeting with several of TIE's teachers. None have been threatened by the Taliban.That is very good news! In some areas, educating girls is a capital offense.Their main problem is
capacity. Two teachers don't have enough room inside their homes to
teach all who would like to attend. Both requested funds to expand
their living rooms. Their
request, like all the others I receive during my visits, has been added to
"the wish list".
We then discussed the subject of class size. Farzana laughed
and said "what should I do", "I have 49 students in one of my classes".
I asked whether it would be better to find another teacher, rather than
expand her living room. She wants smaller
classes but I'm sure she knows there will be some serious lobbying by
parents if we opt for the two teacher solution. Farzana is the most
energetic, inspiring, and dedicated teacher I've met so far.
If you will recall, when I first met Farzana, we spoke for about a half an hour. I was sitting on her living room floor,
surrounded by her students. At the end of our conversation she looked
straight into my eyes and said, "Now I be a man. How much are you going
to pay me"? I felt cornered and was forced to look away.
Somehow I managed to escape without negotiating her salary in the
middle of her adoring fans. I knew right then, however, that Farzana
was exactly what the girls needed, whatever the cost.
 Farzana
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Lailuma, a leader among the women in Lalander, came separately
with her husband. She has for the past two years met opposition from
her husband's uncle, a village leader (malik). Why? Because his
daughter had been teaching competing classes inside his home. His
daughter, however, only has a third grade education. He recently approached Lailuma and
said that he could obtain funds from another NGO (non government
organization), and asked her to work for him. She refused, telling him
she liked working for Trust In Education and that we had been good to
her and the villagers. An Afghan woman does not easily refuse the
requests of a malik, particularly when he is her husband's uncle.
Earlier, I was taken aback when I saw Lailuma and
her husband, Sardaragha, walking toward our office. She was walking at
least 15 paces behind Sardaragha.She waived to me from a distance, uncovered her face, and when
she was close enough reached out to shake my hand. These three
movements are inconsistent with the code of conduct that requires her to maintain her distance.
As they were leaving I told Sardaragha, in front
of Lailuma, that when they walked home he should walk 15 paces behind
Lailuma. We laughed and Lailuma said, "Budd, he supports us". They both
left laughing, walking side by side to the gate. I suspect outside the gate Lailuma resumed her "rightful place". Lailuma may walk 15 paces behind but Sardaragha would be the first to admit that in many ways she is way ahead.
Lailuma, Sararagha, and son
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