NewsletterDecember 2008

 

I am delighted to bring you this report on our latest visit to Afghanistan with the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council and the progress of the Ayenda Learning Center in Bamiyan province.

 

Timothy McBride, Shamim Jawad and Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky standing in front of the new Ayenda Learning Center

On November 19 through 20, the USAWC traveled to Afghanistan to visit a number of the Council’s projects and hold meetings with high-ranking Afghan officials to discuss the USAWC’s progress and related matters. As you know, an important initiative of the USAWC has been the building of the Ayenda Learning Center in Bamiyan.

 

Although the building was started only last April, it is nearly finished, and its grand opening is planned for March 21, 2009. Even so, the Learning Center has already become a symbol of a new beginning in this impoverished, isolated, and remote province of Afghanistan. It was a proud moment for me and the Ayenda and USAWC teams to see our shared vision take this first step to becoming a reality. Looking at this beautiful modern building overlooking the historic valley of Bamiyan where the two magnificent Buddhas used to gaze, I saw hope for my country and for the future of the suffering children of Bamiyan. I realized what a state-of-the-art learning facility and school means for the beautiful and bright children of Bamiyan. After seeing such significant progress on the ground, we returned home fully energized and completely committed to take this project to new heights.

 

Children of the orphanage at their classroom

We had a wonderful visit with the children who will be transferring to the Learning Center at the beginning of the next school year. Their warm welcome was overwhelming. We saw their present school, and it was heart-breaking: tiny, dim rooms with a blackboard and nothing else except a few broken desks and chairs. The children were thrilled about their new school and you could see in their eyes how curious and happy they were about it. The teachers and staff were grateful for the opportunity. They all were struggling to find the nicest words they knew to say thank you and show their gratitude and appreciation.

 

Shamim Jawad and children at the orphanage

We have learned recently that UN and Afghan regulations will not allow us to house the children overnight in the new facility. However, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education have assured us that we can modify the sleeping quarter to accommodate almost twice as many day students as originally planned. We will also be able to provide vocational training programs as well. This means that potentially over 400 students will be able to attend the Learning Center, from first through ninth grades, receiving the standard education in addition to vocational training to better provide them with both knowledge and skills to obtain jobs and support themselves and their families.

 

Ayenda board members, school staff, and children giving a big thumbs up to this new and exciting project.

I would like to emphasize that our success to date is due in no small measure to your support and generosity. I saw firsthand how much the children of Bamiyan appreciate your compassion and kindness. We are also very grateful to the Bayat Foundation for its wonderful work in constructing the building and its ongoing and tremendous support for Ayenda Foundation.

 

We are very excited about the March 21 grand opening of the Learning Center, but we still have a lot of work to do before then. Building the Learning Center is just the first step to change our vision into a reality. We still need your help in order to keep our promise to the children of Bamiyan.

 

Again, thank you so much for your support of Ayenda Foundation and the children of Afghanistan. We could not have come this far without your generosity and we hope that you will continue to support us.

 

Sincerely,

Shamim Jawad

Founder and President

Ayenda Foundation

 

 

2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20008 - Tel: 202.292.4296 - Fax: 202.483.6485
www.ayendafoundation.org