February 20, 2008 is the big day! Fly to Delhi, stay with my friend Shafi and family then on Feb 24th the flight from Delhi to Kabul.
Anxiously awaiting my passport to return from the Afghanistan Embassy so I can get the India visa and have that little book back in hand instead of OUT THERE somewhere!
February 10th is the TEA where I have asked everyone to come and visit and donate small items to the Tahai Moskan Orphanage in Kabul. Mrs. Soraya Abdullah Hakim, the President of the Afghanistan Orphanages is helping me in the organization and mailing of shoes, sox, sweaters, mittens etc..........for KIDS. Totts to Teens.
She is in need of monetary assistance for training of the teens for trades type work. Tailoring, bicycle repair, hairdressing, computers. Im not sure yet how to make that happen for her.
More to come................
February 25, 2008. What an amazing beginning to a sad reality. The state of affairs of Afghanistan. I hope this will open many eyes to our role on this planet. One shocking comment made on the flight from San Diego to Chicago. When I told my seat mate I was going to Delhi, this business woman actually asked me WHERE Delhi was!!! Hello Geography teachers out there!!!
The flight to Delhi was a piece of cake. Trouble free and awaiting at the Delhi airport were Shafi and Ata. Seemed to have very little jet lag and spent a couple of days on white knuckler excursions through the city of Delhi to various points...including picking up my airline ticket to Kabul, visiting, looking around.
Sunday was an exhausting day just GETTING to Kabul. Ariana Afghan airlines charged me overweight of an exhorbatent amount, security screening wanted backshish for allowing the medicines bought in India go through....I wasn't a doctor! but it did not deter my getting YOUR donations here and the medicines picked up in Delhi. Inflight my seat mate was a young guy that was right out of the books of Afghanistan men. He spread himself out on his seat and mine, made moves to touch me....oh man did that scarf go on my head FAST with that one. He was all giggly before we took off from Delhi, calling friends on his cell and sounding very macho. Eye opener you betcha!
When we were served "lunch", I gave him my main course and ate the bread. Next thing I know he is offering me his bread. At least we tried to communicate! By the end of the flight, I think he felt a little more protective of me than agressive to me.
The real TRIP started on arrival. The Himalayas surrounded us with the decent quick and fascinating. The view from the airplane while taxi'ing is of Military planes, United Nations Planes, Helicopters and a few airlines I didnt know existed.
Then comes Immigration and Customs. OH MY GOD!!! I havent experienced anything like this since the early 70's! Very difficult to stay focused in such crowds and chaos. You want to act polite and have manners, but they do not exist in this combat sport of getting passports stamped and bags collected! I had to push my way to get to the immigration desk and as soon as I walked out, Hashmet was there to save me. I had asked the hotel to send someone who could help me in customs as I had 5 bags with me. He jumped right in with getting the porters for me and hassling with yet more people that want a piece of the pie. Customs backshish. Only $10 but all this is for their country! Hashmit got me to the hotel van and very interesting to watch how "meet and greet" exists here. He then started in on me to be my guide while I'm here and not to tell the hotel and he would get the car and on and on how honest he is and "if you wish" payment plan. Still have to figure that one out. But good ole risk taker here said ok. He got me to the hotel where we had to zig zag through barriers before getting to the driveway. Hand bags went through electronic detector, but the suitcases DIDN'T! hmmmmm. I feel safe!
Once checked in and into my room, I welcomed the peace and quiet from both Delhi airport and Kabul. My balcony faces the Himalayas and sunrise. What a gorgeous experience this morning.
Could not get ahold of Soraya on the "mobile" so I decided just to go over to the orphanage and see if she was there. Hashmit organized the car and met up with it in town to continue on (clandestinely) to what I'm sure was the furthest from his mind of a day of sightseeing and shopping! Instead once at the Orphanage, Soraya jumped right in with what we could do.
Started with a short visit and meeting her staff. She introduced me to Jamila who came along with us through the visit of the first orphanage. Tahai Maskan is for the Teen boys. She showed me their dorms of about 8 to each dorm. Of course with winter, they had stoves in each room to keep warm with. You also had the pollution of the stoves that is unavoidable in closed up rooms. So I sumize that this where the kids start getting their hacking coughs at a young age. The kids looked clean and healthy and very innocent. A few of the boys spoke english and tagged along while we visited their class rooms and the kitchen, dining room and grounds. I was very impressed with what Mrs. Soraya Abdullah Hakim has done with such little to work with.
One little boy Shujah Hudine caught me way off guard with asking a question of am I there to help with the security of the school. He was chided by the guide and another gentleman....truly a gentle man but it was a good question. You know this is where so many of these teens must be hoping for and wishing for security. I tried to answer with a general answer of my being there to see where they live and learn from them. Inside I was shocked with the question. This could be a little soul that will soon make the decision to continue with his education to be a doctor, "engineer" or become a terrorist!
Everything was so overwhelming as I was not ready for the information overload and welcoming of the school. My mind is still spining and doubt if it will be a good night sleep with so much on my mind. Another Katherine known is how I want to "fix" everything. What an overload to know I won't be able to fix a lot of this. What was going to be a visit of possibly a day will turn out to be a daily visit to the school and visits to other ministries to see how we can work together to make this kids successful citizens. With 50% of Afghanistan now under the age of 18. It will take effort from so many.
Soraya had me talk with one class in English. To hear my accent and to answer questions. Of course talked about California our beaches, bonfires, freeways, people and lifestyles and tomorrow will be the next talk with another class. They asked some serious questions that impressed and shocked me! Like What is it like to live in a Suburb, What family life is like, my opinion of the elections, How America won it's freedom!, what the stars on the flag mean, the biggest river in the U.S., how many states, my personal life. What is our transportation system like....try explaining our freeways to someone that sees their traffic completely disorganized....horses, 4x4's, Flatbed carts drawn by horses, mini cars, intimidating Military vehicles, huge decorated trucks, barriers all over some streets. Cars going all one way on a two way street. What innocent curiosity.
I visited the other orphanage that has the younger kids under 10 years old. The U.S. Army was overseeing the repainting of the dorms, again of 8 to a dorm. Nicely clean, a feeling of safety, one young girl has a desire to become a doctor with a great use of the english language. This school also had their tailoring class (and why cant Liz Claiborne and the like take their factories to Afghanistan now? The school also had a cooking class. Norway came to build the kitchen for girls 10 at a time to learn how to cook and set a table and manners. Very impressive. The medical clinic didnt have any one in it, thank god, and was also clean. Medicines almost nonexistent.
The medicines I got in Delhi are for ears, nose, coughs, eyes, infections, diahrea, cuts and boils, stomach upsets. My hope is that it will be the beginning of people coming together in the states to help out these beautiful kids.
I hope I can make a little bit of a difference in these kids lives.....we can all make a difference.
February 27 was a heart touching day. I brought over all the donations to Mrs. Hakims office. She showed me the huge storage area where they assemble supplies to go out to the various orphanages around the country. We walked through the warehouse of donations from around the world. One obvious observation was there were no donations or mention of help from Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain (helping their own neighborhood!)
We were too busy today to open our packages. Shafi had neatly bound them up and sewed them together in Delhi which made them look much more official.
I went out to the garage to be shown around. These teens will get 6 months of training as a mechanic, hands on. Work pit was spotless and all ready to go for the two teachers that are coming over from Michigan to offer their time.
We also went through the boys tailoring class, carpetweaving and carpenter classrooms. They all gathered around me and bombarded me with questions. What an overload! But what a curiosity they had. One student Shafee caught my eye. I showed him a picture of Shafi and Ata from Delhi and he was tickled. We had a chance to talk one on one later and his mother had died, two brothers and a father. He has been in the orphanage for 6 years. He had some sadness I could see, but I encouraged him of his opportunities when he grows up. And to stay focused on HIS dreams. What a sweet soul of a boy. Very vulnerable.
Another 13 year old boy, Hamid, told me he had "insomnia" and what could he do. I told him about counting sheep and we would eventually fall asleep. Also told him of the relax your feet, knees, hips, belly etc. All the kids were laughing at me when I told him to tell them to "go to sleep feet", "go to sleep ankles" etc! I also asked him why he coud not sleep. He mumbled he couldnt close his eyes and he thinks of things a lot. I cant imagine why. I would love to hear each and every storey of these boys.
The afternoon gave me another opportunity to talk to the boys. I told them stories of NEW YORK CITY! How beautiful it is, huge buildings, bright lights. People come there to see the theatre and described "theatre", they were all ears. They later asked me of what the export and import of New York City was, the transportation for the people living there, about their suburbs and their life style. One boy asked about the NIGHT Life.
We also talked about safety and drugs. Have mentioned several times now to stay away from DRUGS!
I put some humor in it too, like the way they the New Yorkers "TWAK" (talk!). HARRY TAKE A PICKTCHA! I'll have some "cwaffee"!
They laughed and asked me to show them other english accents. British, Australian, Canadian. They asked so many questions my brain was swimming. Even after the class, we sat on the steps in the sun, surrounded by these curious souls. They invited me to dinner and hope to do that tonight.
Did get another chance to get to Chicken street where the great bargaining sport ended in a couple of Afghan rugs, Got such a deal! It still have the feeling of 1974, but in those days, there were only small stalls with dirt floors. We went on to Soraya's home, after jumping from store to store scoping out the availability of kotex sanitary napkins for the girls. They are tomorrow's assignment.
Soraya is a fascinating woman. Very High Energy and focused. She reminds me of many we have worked with in various Travel Director programs! My career has been in Tourism for 38 years. Kept up with her though! Her apartment is a quiet studio in the middle of the new city. Very safe, lovely decorations and I felt very special to be invited into her private sanctuary. We had a traditional meal on the floor with others around. Mrs. Saifoora Niazi is a woman parliament member from North Afghanistan.
We talked about the womens microcredit program that could be available to the women of Afghanistan if we could bring the two to the table. So another project once home will be to introduce the two and hope the Micro Credit program could overcome some of the fear of safety in Kabul. We talked about the women of the country, going to doctors, expenses and the successes they have accomplished with the new generation of women in Afghanistan. My eyes were drooping, so her driver brought me back to the Intercontinntal Hotel. They say after dark is when westerners get kidnapped, so that was a frightening thought!
A Note of the safety of the city. The first day, I felt very unsure of myself. Day two brought more confidence and I'm sure it will increase as days go on. There are police with rifles everywhere. They look into cars. You see the military at strategic corners with guns on top of the souped up pick up truck kind of vehicles. You keep your eyes down a lot, but need to see where I'm going!!! I think the fear we feel at home is that we are just not used to seeing military looking police with kalishnakovs or uzzies in their hand on every corner, and looking so serious. I sure wouldn't want to cross them!
Very intimidating.
FEBRUARY 27 Had Hashmet with me today......what a talker! Need to have him for translation, so making the best of the situation. We got to the National Museum of Afghanistan. Was sure not expecting to see this! We drove past bombed out large homes and the Palace. The Russian Military occupied this palace and of course bombed out by the Mujadeen and then the Taliban took over with more bombing, including this wonderful museum.
The Afghanistan National Museum had the largest collection of artifacts in Central Asia. From 2nd Century and earlier. It now holds about 100 objects including those that the Taliban destroyed and defaced, even more than ruins are already ruined! I gave the book I bought in 1974 to Mrs. Niazi who will get it to the right person. It documents each piece of art in the museum then, each case, each buddha, everything. My wish is just in case the original archives may have also been destroyed, that this will help in inventorying what was there then. Walking outside the museum, you are among complete devastation.
We drove up to the front of the palace and how sad to see such a beautiful building in such destruction. While we were looking, 3 silver Super Jeeps drove up and parked right in front of us. All the men jumped out with all kinds of uzzies, bullet proof vests, pockets ful of "something"? and looked pretty burley. The way the jeeps drove up, it reminded me of a scene from "Twister" where the black vans were all going at the same speed and making the same moves. When I started talking to the men, it turns out they were securing their rounds overseeing these buildings, but I think they just wanted to come and check us out! They were European troops, Polish and Italian. Peter and Maximus. We talked for some time and in my usual manner of friendliness, I pointed out to the mountains beyond us and commented "they could make great ski slopes on this mountain" "don't you think?" Actually it did look like it could be slopes from Colorado. Just waiting for a business person to come in. I mean Dubai is just in the neighborhood! Well maybe in 50 years.
We left them and drove over to the National Gallery in the city and there they were again. Maximus came up and shook my hand, all smiles...this time without all the guns and gear! Was too cute.
Later returned to the Orphanage to see Soraya, look at all the donations, check out all the medicines, which by the way, Saira, Shafi's daughter was good enough to make the recommendations of meds to take. She is a Pediatrician in Delhi, so the Orphanage was quite sursprised and pleased to receive exactly the type of meds they needed.
The intensity of driving through the city is overwhelming. Weaving in and out of vehicles, very dusty conditions. You could compare it to Xian China pollution. Our mission for today was to buy sanitary napkins for the girls in the other orphanage.
Was that an experience! We went through a couple of little stalls in the market to haggle then find they didnt have the supply of thousands we needed. Finally took control (with a man as our guide....) and said I'm looking for a certain Quality! I mean some of those they were pulling out, I'd rather NOT WEAR anything! So, we finally ended up in the central market (kind of like Calcutta and Saigon's markets) briskly moving through people and small alleys. We finally found one where the stall owner didnt want to talk to our guide (since he was a man) about this personal item! We haggled and haggled and of course trying to understand Hashmet's english and translation added to some major irritation starting to take place. He kept misunderstanding that I didnt need 300 pieces, but 1,000! I'm sure this 24 year old man has no clue what this is about!
Finally after his insistence the shop owner only had 300, I said lets just take them and go somewhere else to get the rest. This happening all about 4:30pm when all the shops are starting to close up.
Finally we got it right, paid the price, tried to stuff everything into a nearby box and bags. We got out to the main street where a boy with a wheel barrow helped us to the car. At this same time a fight started out in the street. About 60 men surrounding the fight. The lady from the Orphanage, Mrs. Zorah and I, ducked into a shop till it was safe. I sure didnt want to be around any testosterone overload situation here! Our guide kept walking not knowing we had made a turn into the store, so had to come back and find us. We finally got to the car and I don't know if I can express the relief to be inside that little car.
We still had to get batteries, so I gave Hashmet the money to get out of the car HIMSELF! to get them. At this point, I'd just like to thank all of you that made money donations as this is what is being used to pay for the sanitary napkins, shampoo, soap, toothpase and toothbrushes and more. So thank you so very much for caring about these girls who will receive all of this tomorrow. Our next generation of functioning adults~
It was getting dark now and we still had to get my cell phone a new sim card. It didnt work, so we had to drive over to the Roshan cell phone outlet to get another one. I stayed in the car while Hashmet went out into the ALL MALE darkness to fix this. I could see why this place is called "Manistan"! I sat in the car with my Pepper Spray in hand (thanks to Cheryl, my sister in law!) and slumped down in the car to minumize my force feild. Scarf so very over my head and face! Doors locked. I was so close to the hotel, and READY to be there. It was about 8pm by the time I got back to the peace of my room and take a deep breath.
What was I thinking, coming here! Well, I can say that Soraya is so thankful for the help I have given to her (it's almost like another Forest Program!) The looks in the boys eyes and eager greets I get when I drive up, all trying their english, it is ALL worth it! Guess it is the Peace Corp work I never got to fulfill in my youth coming out.
When Soraya asked why I came, I could not give her an answer other than it was just my PURPOSE! Somehow I feel I was called to do this. I just had to see and help this new generation.
A note about the food. It is GREAT! Thought I'd loose weight, but the potatoes and meat as well as rice and Pizza are all delicious. The Orphanage food is more than I expected with taste and variety. Very little in vegetables though, so the Minister of Agriculture was very thankful when I presented him with vegetable seeds I brought. Will attempt to get more to him once back home. Well, it's also winter.
A note about the Hotel Intercontinental. This hotel was taken over by the Taliban too!
All the original staff was dismissed when they came in, the general manager replaced by a Taliban. (I don't think they shot anyone!) It is comfortable and nice. Can't help but think when I'm taking a shower though, that a Taliban took one in the same tub!!! Yewwwwwwwwww! Another funny thing is when I take the elevator, the MEN will not get into the same elevator, they wait for the next one!! More later!
February 28th. Today unfolded unexpectedly with a talk with the Intercontinental Hotel General Manager. He is from Nuristan, a province north of Kabul. Looks very European in features and pretty funny. Laughter really does break all barriers! I asked if there was a chance that the hotel could get involved with a training program with the Orphanage in the future...they could be trained in housekeeping, laundry and behind the scenes type jobs. He is in favor of giving it a try, but I think it will be months before it will happen and maybe only after more prompting. It's a fact that the priveleged, whether educated or not still get the jobs!
This impromptu meeting made me late for visiting the Girls Orphanage. Once there, found the U.S. Army there handing out toys, visiting, drinking tea and I think Captain Wilson and his unit enjoyed meeting a familiar face and voice in such a far away land! Had guys from South Carolina and Barton from SAN DIEGO!!! We chatted a bit and it seems this particular unit has been taking care of this orphanage for years. They have painted the buildings inside and out, watch out for the kids, come by to visit and have made a big difference in the wellbeing of the orphanage. Raifa from the orphanage was my interpreteur. What an eager, elegant poised young lady.
The teen girls had prepared lunch. What a spread. Meat, something like dumplings, salad, chutney, rice with raisins, spinach..........all very delicious. I got to hand each girl some of our donations. They were very polite, almost curtseying when receiving them. Sat down to lunch with Mrs. Hakim and her head staff from the orphanage. Later went to the dorm with the girls. We sat on the floor cross legged looked at each other and slowly started talking. Told some stories about the beaches in California, my GIRLFRIENDS. Started out with telling them about when I took Jessica (my neice) to Beverly Hills to learn how to shop and that she can now outshop me in a blink of an eye! They laughed a lot and got more comfortable. It was chick stuff!!!!
The point was to talk to them about more personal things. Like hygene, health, fullfilling dreams, continuing to learn English. It was too darling to look at them in various positions of listening, wide eyed and so full of curiosity. They asked questions about the freckles on their face, pimples, how OLD I was....I may have deducted a few years! I gave Raifa the hair clips and scrunchies I brought over and told her she could use them as rewards for those that keep their dorms the cleanest. They were of course very curious of how to come to the U.S. Told them they could all come if they really wanted to do that, but it would take lots of work and commitment to have this happen to them. I tried put the words so that it wasn't a promise but a dream they would have to chase after.
Sat in on their English Class and listened to the teacher. Helped them with pronunciation of words and laughed with them. Cutest small desks...legs stretched way out, and hard to get comfortable. Some were so shy and especially Azziza, very bold. Not afraid to stand in front of the class and talk. Taught them "You go Girl"....and the teacher couldnt stop laughing when I told the joke of the chicken crossing the street to get to the other side. They all laughed till tears. Tried to coach the teacher to not get frustrated if they didnt learn perfect English and to compliment them and encourage them.
These little girls are such precious gifts to our world. I told them that all of your spirits were just behind me and that you all wished them warmth and love from America.
KEEP AN EYE OUT....AM CONSULTING WITH MY TECH PERSON (Ata) to get photos into the article, so keep watching!!!
February 29th THIS MIDDLE EAST SCARF!!!!
One thing I will look forward to is NOT having to wear this scarf ever again! You put one part of the scarf on the top of your head, let one side hang down the front and the other you push over your shoulder. In theory. You cannot imagine how many times in a day you have to ADJUST this thing! And why curl your hair, or anything, it is just flat and lifeless after a day of wearing it. If you move your head at all, it slips off the top (and you are not supposed to show hair!), so you slip it back on, twist the scarf, throw it back over your shoulder and again in 10 minutes you're back to fixing it and throwing it back over the shoulder. I've come to believe this is part of the primping ceremony women do here. The scarf never stays in place and you, therefore, attract attention every time you have to fix it. New body language (NOT in the American books!)
Today was a quieter day. After such a week of information overload, felt pretty worn out. Not so much so to stay in the hotel. Ventured out to see the Land Mine Museum and even more adventure to walk into one of the small local markets (VERY CLOSE to Hashmet). There were small bird cages hanging everywhere. Surprised to see the Afghani like to eat Pigeons! It was packed with MEN...staring and gawking. Not only the only woman, but the only foreigner anywhere to be seen. We walked in deep mud, noises from the call to prayer to peoples voices, congenstion, loud music, yelling at each other. A traditional way that the Middle East people communicate. Doesnt mean they are mad, I think they are all just trying to out talk each other. Didnt not feel frightened in this market like the other market here. People just stared
We found a few treasures to keep my bags overweight. Most important was finding a couple of pieces of Istalif pottery. This little village has been known since Alexander the Great for making such unique pottery and now get the chance to replace the piece I had from 1974 - from a roomate breaking it. Real replaceable....only took 33 years!
Very interesting this Alexander the Great. I don't really remember him in our history classes, but amazing how he discovered and developed the Silk Route between Europe and China. In Kabul you can see the ethnic differences in the faces of people with China, Mongolia and European intermixed with the Central Asia faces. They are beautiful people with a very innocent demeanor. Not everyone is a Mujadeen or Taliban. They are just like us. Doctors, Engineers, construction workers, taxi drivers, restauranteurs, plumbers, postal carriers, lawyers, Bankers, entrepeneurs etc. Just as we have ways at looking at the world and culture, so do they. No one is wrong and no one is right.....we are all just DIFFERENT! And that's OK!!!! I hope fighting is behind them and they will be able to join the world community. This country is also very rich in precious stones...like Ruby Emeralds and Lapis Lazuli.
Last evening met with the minister of the Red Crescent (our equal of Red Cross). Am trying to introduce people to people who can help the helpless. Some of my ideas have been accepted and my hope is that they will action these suggestions after I leave.
There were situations where girls were taken to Russia by the military where they were abused and raped. They now sit rocking on small cushions in the orphanage 10 years later, shy, withdrawn, uneducated and useless to society. Soraya will be attending a meeting tomorrow to see if she can get help for these ladies, as well as with the retarded children she has in her orphanage. They just cannot be helped here and the ministries keep asking her if she could continue to keep them there. I get that it creates in imbalance with the children that are trying to prepare for their future. Soraya's efforts can't be side tracked by these helpless situations, but where else can they go? They need mental health attention but there are no such facilities YET in Afghanistan.
Soraya Abdullah Hakim is a 2008 SAINT! She works endlessly morning to dark. Connecting with the movers and shakers of not only Kabul but the provences of Afghanistan. She is the President of Afghan Orphanages. She and her husband were granted asylum when the wars broke out. He was the Afghan Ambassador to Washington D.C.
I sat in to hear the trials of running the orphanages....their safety, health, creativity to keep the boys and girls interested. Their futures in society and well being very high on her mind. She has a gentle manner with all the board members and teachers that assist her to make these orphanages an environment for growth and confidence. The trials of consoling and reassuring the kids in their unsure moments. How to stimulate their ciriculum. The trials of finding kids on the streets and accepting them right in. The trials of coordinating the other provences orphanages with school items as well as clothing, meds and LOVE! The commitment and dedication of her staff is beyond commendable in such a war torn country still at odds on the streets and mountainsides of the country.
The personal side of getting to know a sister. On my last day, we "did lunch" had the traditional kebabs and talked about husbands, daughters, yoga, face creams, dry skin. I also helped her with my suggestions of redecorating her windows at home! We turned the curtains around so she sees the bamboo side and it suited the room just perfect! Must be that Event planning and interior design so many of you know I love to do! Got a plant in there and fixed her right up. What a tough dedicated lady.
Not all countries can be successful, balanced??? and bustling like many countries in this world, but it is so much our duty as members of this planet to help our world community. One of us to one or two of them. Boundries mentally, emotionally, ethnically opened.
As I head to my sanctuary, to pack my suitcase, I will listen to the last of the calls to prayer from my hotel room. Turn on the TV, watch CNN and a western show... eat a pizza for dinner and TAKE THIS SCARF OFF!!! On the flight back to Delhi tomorrow I will reflect on how my life, soul and heart has become a better person because of this effort to reach out to those who are genuinely the salt of the earth.
To all of you who were so kind to help with the donations, SHOES, clothing, MONEY, and medicines will be remembered by each child you touched with your generosity. A special thank you to AMERICAN AIRLINES who waived the charges for the bags of donations that came over with me. Kudos to your community spirit Tina Moman.
Salamalikem Katherine Whitley, Tour Director San Diego, California
AFTER THE FACT:
In reflecting on this experience, I thought it might be helpful to tell you what the orphanages still need, just in case you can help personally. I would love to go back as a team and help organize and simplify Soraya's efforts. HOW CAN YOU HELP?
** Orphan compounds need security lighting (2 in Kabul)
** Winter Sports curiculum like Karate and other ideas
** Good antiseptic cleaning fluids all 14 orphanages
** School BELLS (all 14 orphanages)
** Speaker systems to announce activity times all 14 orphanages
** Orphanage Staff could use training overseas to become better prepared to handle
not only the education of the kids but their mental health.
Tulsa Global Alliance? Any others?
** Tailors in Orphanages could use a large sponsor for large productions like they
do in other countries like Costa Rica, Malaysia etc.
** New Sports equipment. Soccer Balls, Basketballs, Volleyballs, Cricket etc.
** An indoor gym for winter sports (14 orphanages)
** WASHERS for the kids clothes. 5 for each of the 2 Kabul orphanages
** Career Counciling.
** Corporations, Foundations and Universities...SPONSOR some of these eager teens not only in the U.S., but other countries to get the best education they can get to HELP their own country (again 50% of this population are under the age of 18!)
** Big Brother and Big Sister programs from their own community. This is something
that the people of Kabul and provences will have to work on, but we could give
the necessary training and encouragement.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact me.
Katherine Whitley desmgmt@aol.com
Kabul Hotels
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