On Wednesday morning we went to Aschiana to participate in payday for
the street chlldren, sponsored through TIE. The schools have been closed due to
what is now alleged to be an overreaction to an unfounded swine flu scare.
There seems to be very few verifiable cases. Aschiana's case worker and Qudsia
rounded up as many as they could. Seventy children are now being sponsored
through TIE. More are being added every month. There is an inexhaustible
supply, given that the estimated number of children working on the streets of Kabul is 70,000.
Smiles all around as Ghezal receives her monthly reward
The children sat patiently, as each one was called up to receive the $20 monthly reward for attending school. Many, but certainly not all of
the children were accompanied by an adult. There was only one adult male who
came, accompanying his brother.
Wali smiled and giggled -- not accustomed to this much attention
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I delivered several letters and photos,
that were sent to me by sponsors. We attached a Dari translation to each
letter, except for a few that arrived too late for us to translate.
The children, whose letters had not been translated, waited, until after
everyone had gone, for Qudsia to translate their letters.
Sooria captured the hearts of everyone in the room
Qudsia and I spent time with each child. We provided what information we
knew about their sponsors and discussed each photo. Bobbie Boyer's photo, of
her sitting on a horse, was a big hit, as were photos
of families with their pets.
Alina is $20 closer to realizing her dream of becoming a teacher |
It was uplifting and saddening to be in the room. I thought about the fact that the difference
between these children receiving an education and not is $20 a month. That
realization only intensifies upon returning home, where I have become acutely
aware of my and others' consumerism. It's an unavoidable consequence of assisting
the poor. You can not erase from your memory what you've seen or learned. The uplifting part is
knowing full well that seventy sponsored children is just the beginning, and that, for these
seventy, there is a beginning.
And then there was one
waiting patiently for his name to be called
On a another positive note, Aschiana and TIE entered into an agreement
to provide computer classes starting next month. Aschiana will provide
the room. TIE will provide the computers, monitors, other equipment, teacher
and supplies. The sponsored children will all have an opportunity and be
encouraged to take the computer classes. The reality is, they need no
encouragement. They only need the time, time which you and I can afford to buy.
Budd
ps 24 hours to take off for Dubais
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