Big Steps Forward, June 2008

June 01, 2008

Afghan Action’s work in Afghanistan is about to change radically. We have been invited to enter into a new partnership with the country’s 50 technical schools to train carpet weavers and develop a vocational course for students to study the history, culture, design and development of Afghanistan’s best known traditional industry, carpets.

“The Minister of Education is keen for us to develop this work” says Samad Samadi, Board member of Afghan Action. “I was in Kabul in April and had two long discussions with the Minister, Dr Atmar” he continues. Samad’s visit, with Afghan Action staff colleagues Yusof Mirzazada and Chris Beales, was also a great opportunity to catch up on progress at the factory, where 75 weavers (former trainees) are now working. “Our hope is that we can develop training on technical school sites and expand the number of weavers we employ” says Chris.

Food and fuel prices are spiralling up and life is tough for the young men and women working with Afghan Action. Many are former refugees, whose families fled from Afghanistan during the 1990s to Iran and Pakistan. Back in Kabul, living conditions are very basic and travel to work can be time consuming and dangerous.

“The challenge to provide secure employment, fair wages and good working conditions is a big one” says Chris. Afghan Action also provides its 120 staff and trainees with a nourishing midday meal, on-site healthcare and education.

“The education has been a fantastic benefit” says Office Manager Haseeb Ahmadzai. “Our staff can now read and write in Dari - and they want to learn English and also computers”. The hope is that some British volunteers from local Kabul-based companies or NGOs may also be able to assist, providing opportunities for informal English conversation – and maybe some IT tuition.

WHACKY HAIR DAY IN FRAMFIELD!
Framfield Church of England School in East Sussex celebrated May Day with a Whacky Hair Day – children and staff doing funny things with their hair to raise money to provide the nomadic Kuchis with a flock of sheep. A group of 600 Kuchi families are living on barren land in Wardak, just south of Kabul. They lost their animals during the wars and a flock of sheep will restore them to what they’ve done for generations.

“We’re delighted to have this chance to link Framfield School with Afghan Action” says Head Teacher Jan Wilde.

“We’re raising money to buy a Ghazni sheep – and its wool will help supply Afghan Action’s factory. I hope lots of other schools will join in”.

Afghan Action’s carpets are made using the wool of Ghazni sheep and mainly natural dyes. The wool is currently sourced from the Province of Ghor in central Afghanistan.

The proposal to involve primary and middle schools in the UK has been welcomed by the C of E’s National Schools Improvement Officer, Nick McKemey, who is also keenly supportive of the plan to twin secondary schools with Afghan technical schools.

Good links have also been made with some independent schools and interest in Afghanistan is growing.

For more information, please contact Afghan Action on +44 (0)20 3201 0049 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

WANT TO BUY A CARPET – WHERE TO LOOK
You can buy an Afghan Action carpet direct from us or from a number of shops and suppliers around the country:

• Red Fox Gallery in Sturminster Newton, Dorset (www.redfoxgallery.co.uk)
• Carleton Lord in Bridgewater, Somerset (www.carletonlord.com)
• Iguazu in Nottingham (www.fairlytrading.com)
• The Nomads’ Tent in Edinburgh (www.nomadstent.co.uk)

From the autumn, you’ll find our carpets in some of the country’s leading retailers – details soon!

Customers can be assured of high quality carpets and also of the quality of employment and working conditions in Afghanistan.

Read more and view our beautiful carpets www.afghanaction.com. Please contact us for more details: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

CHANGES IN THE UK OFFICE
David Sagar, who has been working with Afghan Action since the very start, has now finished, at the end of April. David travelled to Kabul in April 2005 with Chris and Abdullah Haiwad.

“His UK role has mainly been to liaise with Afghan Action Kabul and manage carpet orders and deliveries”, says Chris Beales, “but he has organised special events and driven carpets around the country. David will be sorely missed. He has been a great colleague and friend and his contribution has been enormous”.

ICT4DEVELOPMENT
Plans for developing IT training in Afghanistan are moving ahead.

Funding was obtained for a feasibility study from the international small grants fund of the Big Lottery Fund and, during April, senior consultant Eugene Arokiasamy, working with Yusof Mirzazada and Ghani Ibrahim of the Salam Foundation, Malaysia, held a consultation for 26 people from Government, companies and NGOs.

They also visited Government ministries, the UN and others to discuss the work. Funding is being raised to take the programme forward.

VOLUNTEERING
“Over the past three years, we have benefited enormously from the generosity of volunteers” says Ken Bartlett, Board Chair of Afghan Action.

“Without them this project could never have got started. Some people volunteer their time and skills on a regular basis and others get involved by arranging or hosting events or helping with fundraising, publicity, design, IT and catering. We’ve had retired people, students, people between jobs and people with full time jobs. And we are most grateful”.

EVENTS THIS SUMMER
If you’re looking for a gift with a difference, come and join us at one of our special events. We have a wide range of carpets on display and for sale. Details of all our events are on the website -www.afghanaction.com/pages/events.html

Our next event in London is at the Temple Church, Fleet Street, on Thursday 3 July, from 5.30 to 9pm. Not sure how to get there? Ring our London office on 020 3201 0049 and we’ll provide directions.

HOW TO CONTACT US
The Afghan Training Foundation is a UK registered charity, no 1111897. Afghan Action is its wholly owned trading company. Contact our London office on +44 (0)20 3201 0049 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

To contact our Kabul factory and training school, please phone +93 (0)700 80 89 80 or email our Office Manager Haseeb Ahmadzai on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)