About Afghan Action - Helping create a Brighter Future

RUGS NOT DRUGS

Afghan Action is working in Afghanistan to support local economic development and help people acquire the skills they need to rebuild their devastated country. Most people know about Afghanistan from what they see, hear or read in the media – conflict, corruption and drugs.

That’s far from the whole picture – and in 2010 we’ve started a major national awareness-raising programme in the UK, using Afghan advocates to bring real information about Afghanistan and share with the wider population something of the richness and vitality of this ancient central Asian country

OUR WORK IN AFGHANISTAN
In Karte Se, south west Kabul, Afghan Action opened a training school in September 2005 and has, to date, provided over 400 young men and women with the opportunity to learn how to weave traditional handmade Afghan carpets and benefit from literacy and numeracy classes in their own language, Dari. Start up funding came from the UK Government’s Department for International Development (the Business Linkages Challenge Fund). Direct market access in the UK for these beautiful hand made carpets is managed by a small team of staff in London and the carpets are stocked and to be found on the website of our Edinburgh-based partners, Nomads Tent. We also carry a small stock in London.

Since late 2005, over 120 events have been held across the UK, in people’s homes, churches, businesses, colleges and schools and elsewhere – including the Houses of Parliament, the Department for International Development and the Canadian Embassy. At these events, we have been able to speak about Afghanistan and our work there, promote the project and display or sell carpets.

In November 2008 we completed an order for Habitat - 300 square metres of runners and rugs made to Habitat’s own designs. We have also supplied a range of other retailers, including John Lewis, The Rug Company, Red Fox Gallery and One Village.

DIVERSIFICATION
Our aim is to generate enough income through carpet sales, ethical gifts and sponsorship for the organisation to become self sufficient – but the economic downturn hasn’t helped! However, after a difficult patch in late 2008/early 2009, we are growing again and also diversifying into other products –clothes and kites. We do, however, depend very much on the generosity of supporters and sponsors for paying for education, healthcare and the nourishing daily midday meal we provide.

INTRODUCING ICT “VIRTUALISATION” INTO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Action conducted a feasibility study in 2008 into setting up ICT and management skills training in Afghanistan, working with the Afghan Ministry of Education, the private sector and NGOs. We have also established a strong link with the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, one of the City of London’s newest (and largest) livery companies. With their support, we are exploring ways of introducing into Afghanistan the most advanced IT systems, and linking schools in Afghanistan with schools in the UK to assist this process and enable good communication.

WORK IN THE UK
Our work originally came about through work with Afghan refugees living in East London. In September 2007, with funding from the City Parochial Foundation, we began to develop work with Afghan people living in London and their community organisations and groups and the CPF renewed their support in September 2009 for a further two years. With additional support from Awards for All we were able to hold a series of events in 2008/09 with London-based Afghans. Yusof Mirzazada was our Promotion and Outreach Officer from September 2007–early 2010 and he has been followed by two colleagues, Zarlashta Behzadi (Outreach & Administration Officer) and Hashim Alavi (Outreach Officer), who started in April 2010. In July we were joined by Ryan Cooper as our Administration & IT Assistant.

A growing number of companies, trusts, faith groups and individuals are supporting the work and volunteers provide vital assistance, bringing expertise and commitment to create a viable project.