|
|
|
|
Today we're compound bound. The roads in and around Kabul are closed and no one seems to know when they will be opened. Yesterday, people knew the roads would be closed, but not when. Traffic was horrendous. It took us three hours to cross town, a distance that would normally be covered in 40 minutes. Some people were forced to sleep in their cars overnight. On the bright side we didn't worry about being kidnapped. The getaway car wouldn't have been able to get away.
When the trip to Tangi Saidan was cancelled, we drove to another village. Some of you know the history behind this project. Others don't. I'll summarize and bring everyone up to the present.
The home schooling classes have been very popular, thereby creating capacity problems. In April we agreed to fund the construction of a classroom on Wahid's property in Qala Esfandyar. Wahid and TIE entered into a 10 year no rent ground lease. Wahid would have agreed to a longer lease, but we didn't want to take advantage of him. We agreed to supply the materials and the villagers agreed to build the classroom.
|
Pictured below are Wahid and Zeba, his wife, the old and new classrooms, and photos taken during construction. The new classroom was competed a few weeks ago. Since arriving, we've added carpet and purchased 20 desks that will be delivered next week. Each desk seats two children. The classroom will therefore hold 40 students. That's enough capacity to accommodate all of the classes previously taught in the old classroom.
We asked and Wahid agreed to allow TIE to provide computer classes in
the old classroom. As you can see from the photo, the old classroom
needs work.
Again, we'll provided the materials and they will do the work.  
Education for Zeba and Wahid is a high priority--
They gave much more than they were asked
The old classroom --soon to become
the new computer classroom
|
The net effect of this undertaking is that over 100 children will no
longer be required to sit on the floor, won't be crowded into a small
room, and will soon be able to take computer courses. Check out the
response, pictured below.
 
|
The benefits of the classroom are so compelling we agreed to fund the construction of a classroom in Farzana's village in the Spring. She's a passionate, dedicated, creative teacher whose living room runneth over. She's the teacher who said, "As long as there
are children who want to learn, I will be a teacher". We jokingly told
her that before she marries we want her husband to sign an agreement in
keeping with her commitment. She laughed. Given what I've observed of
Farzana, we needn't worry.
I'm pleased to report that a more subtle change has taken place. When I
first visited girls' classes several years ago, many of the girls
looked down or away. It was difficult for at least a third of the girls
to make eye contact. Not any longer. They were seeking eye contact rather
than avoiding it. Ok educators, psychologists, psychiatrists, and
observers of human nature, isn't this phenomenon at least in part a
byproduct of their education? The girls are more confident and self
assured each year.
Nabi and I hand out the sweets--Starbursts and Granola bars
|
It's around 6 PM and still no one can go out. I think I'll have that
last Snickers bar. Who told Nabi? Now, I'll have to offer him half.
Budd
PS
Yesterday we visited Aschiana and met with the street children
sponsored through TIE. Tomorrow we distribute clothing and rice to
refugee and internally displaced families living in Kabul. Two more
days and reports to go and we're on the plane home!!! Inshallah.
PPS Total cost for new classroom, rug, and desks $4,840 proving once again how little it takes to make a substantial difference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
