Notwithstanding my trepidation about how much stuff has been laying in wait for this announcement, the Spring Cleaning for Afghanistan drive has begun. See details below. CLOTHES SHOULD BE CLEAN, IN GOOD CONDITION, AND FOLDED.
To volunteer to help pack send us a email to info@trustineducation.org
To read our list of Recommended Donations click here
After four distributions we finally had our first piece of clothing rejected in Afghanistan (pictured below). It's the thought that counts, or lack thereof. The irony is that it, like the T-shirt of Osama Bin Laden, I described in my last newsletter, was funny. They laughed, and I laughed (in Dari and Pashto). This was one of numerous shared moments when language was not a barrier.
When and Where
Date: Sunday, May 31st
Time: 10:00 am to 2 pm
Please bring donations before noon
Place: 2027 Williams St, San Leandro, Ca 94577 MAP
Packing site, storage, and trucking provided by Tim and Mary Johansen (thankyou!)
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On a separate note, here are a couple of statistics that bear on the progress we have made in education and economic development:
1. Tomatoes or Badenjan Romi. Nabi and I learned, while in Afghanistan, that the tomato seeds we have been providing produce an average of 80 tomatoes per vine, compared with 30, using seeds purchased in Kabul. The tomatoes are also considerably larger. Therefore, the increase in productivity and income from Nabi's seeds is in the neighborhood of 300%!!!! No wonder 272 farmers showed up in April when we distributed tomato seeds and fertilizer.
2. While in Afghanistan we also approved the request to support an additional 8 teachers, bringing our total to 22. Collectively they teach 557 students, 414 girls and 143 boys. It was a big mistake when one Taliban leader said "Americans have the watches, but we have the time". He underestimates our resolve to support the Afghan teachers, parents, and children who refuse to submit. We will make the time and we will find the money!
Enjoy the weekend, while cleaning out your closets. Any change or bills found in pockets belongs to TIE. As with your clothing, you weren't using them.
Budd
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