GlobalGiving.org: Help Afghan Communities Help Themselves

Succeeding!

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:41:46 GMT

It is so exciting to see the Afghan people transitioning back to independence. Although we realize that it is a long road, we are pleased with the information that we receive from the Learning Centers that AIL is working with. All of the Learning Centers are continuing to attract students because of the quality of the education and the variety of the classes being offered.

In one Learning Center near Herat City, the Center leaders have initiated two projects on their own this year. The Center and community needed a library, so the center applied to a small grants program, received funding and have now opened the first public library in their village. This same center has many students who have graduated from the tailoring classes and started their own businesses. Because of the high quality of the tailoring and the number of women tailors, the center was able to negotiate a contract with a local company to have the center's graduates sew uniforms for the company. Now even more women are earning income for their families using a skill they learned at the AIL Learning Center.

Progress is being made – and hopes are high. Most importantly, the center initiated the projects without AIL"s assistance--they just used the leadership skills they had learned from AIL training!!!

Thank you for helping with this progress!

The Afghan People are eager to learn

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:05:15 GMT

AIL Herat reports that between 150 and 370 persons used the library for research and study monthly in July, August and September. Students from the Professor Sakena Yacoobi Private School in Herat visited the library during this time. Ten additional books were donated during the period.

Another AIL Project, “Transform Lives of 70,000 Afghan Adolescent Girls” has been chosen to be part of the Girl Effect Challenge, which runs from October 15 through November 15, 2011. Approximately 60 projects have been included in this challenge. The top six projects with the highest number of unique donations will become part of the Girl Effect Fund for one year and each is expected to earn an additional $25,000. Please check out our project #8791, and thank you for your generous support of our programs!

Opening of a Public Library

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:16:49 GMT

In May, 2011, with the support of the community, AIL opened the Gawhar Shad Begum Library and Research Center in Herat City. This Library is located in the Gawhar Shad Mausolem in the historical Gawhar Shad Musalla complex that dates from the 15^th century and is currently being rehabilitated. Upon the opening of the library, the Manager of the Cultural Affairs Department in Herat requested that all teachers provide one book to the library. Within days, they received more than 1,000 books from students and teachers at the Gawhar Shad High School in Herat.

The Afghan people are pulling together to rehabilitate their country and restore their ancient historical sites and shrines. They desire to build a better, stronger and independent Afghanistan.

Update on Learning Centers

AIL Staff — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:46:42 GMT

A unique attribute of AIL’s community-based education is its student-centered, interactive teaching method that fosters critical thinking. Traditionally, Afghan education has focused on rote memorization and lectures. AIL’s teacher training and subsequent monitoring and supervision program is the basis for its provision of high quality educational programs. AIL’s teaching method allows women and girls to speak up (many for the first time), ask questions, think creatively, and practice problem solving while learning the subject at hand.

The year 2010 began by AIL supporting 10 Learning Centers in Herat, 13 in Kabul, and 2 in Pakistan; for a total of 25 Centers. In March through May, AIL Herat began supporting three new Learning Centers; in Hazrat Bilal with 850 students (440 female) and in May both the Cultural Association (210 students, all female) and Obee District (78 students, all female) Centers made their debut. Three more additions to the Kabul programs at Kariz-e-Mir (14 students, 6 female), Wardak (22 students, all female), and Logar (33 students, all female) were opened in areas with high levels of insecurity in December. Unfortunately, that poor security forced the temporary suspension of the Hindawan Center, but the staff, students, and community are looking forward to its reopening as soon as possible. In Kabul, one of the Centers that provided high school level academic courses to only girls in Mir Bacha Kot was absorbed into another larger Center, and two other Centers in Nasir Khisraw Balkhi and Tolo-e-Mahtab were ready to be turned over to their local communities for program continuation. In 2010, AIL’s Learning Centers provided an education to 21,870 students (68% female)!

Five Reasons to Celebrate

Toc Dunlap — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:48:47 GMT

Five Reasons to Celebrate

The year 2010 has been one of many challenges for people throughout the world. In Afghanistan, insecurity, violence, and poverty continue to threaten communities. But the people of Afghanistan are strong and hopeful, and they are working hard to overcome these challenges. At the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), we see it every day. You can help Afghans, particularly women and children, to create a better future for themselves and their families with a contribution to AIL through Global Giving.

Looking back upon the year, what we focus on are our reasons to celebrate.

As a generous donor to AIL, you are a gift to us and to the people of Afghanistan. We thank you and they thank you!!!

In fact, you make all of the other reasons to celebrate possible. Here is the rest of AIL’s top five reasons to celebrate in 2010:

Fatima’s story. Fatima is 22 is and has just graduated from Herat University and come to work with AIL. As a young girl, her school was closed by the Taliban. She continued studying in one of AIL’s underground home schools and in 2002, reentered high school, graduated and went on to university. Today, her dream, we are humbled to learn, is to work for AIL. She said, “AIL works for people, AIL helps needy people and AIL works among people. Also AIL’s wish is that Afghan woman and girls can support themselves and their families so the Afghan woman and girls are interested in this project.”

Each of the more than 7.9 million people (70% female) who have participated in AIL’s programs since 1996 is a reason to celebrate. In spite of many challenges, they have chosen to improve their lives and their communities by attending AIL’s Teacher Training, Learning Centers, workshops, and schools; seeking health care and health education at AIL’s health clinics; or receiving AIL’s Community Health Workers into their homes.

AIL’s new gynecological and surgical hospital opened in October 2010. It is the only private women’s hospital in Herat province. To keep the reasons to celebrate continuing, fees paid by patients who can afford them will eventually help subsidize AIL’s services at community-based clinics.

The Cultural Association Center, a new Learning Center AIL opened in April 2010, located in a rural area about 50 km from Herat City. The people of the area are very poor and primarily illiterate. The community learned about AIL’s ability to help them offer educational opportunities to their citizens and worked together to build a small facility. Although all communities are involved in the establishment and sustainability of their centers, this rural area was able to rally its citizens to make this project a success. Through November, nearly 300 students, all of them female, have attended courses at the Center. Subjects included Arabic, Tailoring/Sewing, Math, and Literacy.

Your renewed support will help AIL and the Afghan people start 2011 with renewed hope. If you have not yet renewed your support for AIL, please donate today and tell a friend. Thank you and best wishes.

Grateful and Undaunted

Sakena Yacoobi — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:51:41 GMT

Grateful and Undaunted

At this time of year, we are reminded of our many blessings and how the people in our lives enrich us and bring joy to every day. All of us at the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) are especially grateful to you, for your generous support of our efforts to help the people of Afghanistan overcome many challenges: women are emerging from the darkness of illiteracy to a bright and hopeful future; rural Afghan villages are being empowered to provide education and health care for their children – boys and girls; young men and boys who were part of the violence are finding a reason to believe in peace. All of this and much more is possible because of your contribution. Thank you!

As you celebrate this Holiday Season and anticipate the approach of the New Year, we hope that you will think of us again and make another donation to help ensure AIL is able to continue our work. You have most likely heard that Afghanistan continues to suffer terrible insecurity and poverty. But AIL is undaunted by the headlines because we know that the people of Afghanistan are working hard every day to improve their lives and the future of their country. Together with the people of Afghanistan, we are confident because we know that people like you believe in us and stand by us.

When you make your donation, check out the Tribute Card and Gift Card options – and please tell a friend about AIL and encourage them to make a donation too.

No matter what our circumstances today, when we believe in each other and work together, we can be assured that tomorrow will be better. Seasons Greetings and thank you again.

Sakena Yacoobi

AIL Executive Director

Update

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:07:32 GMT

In all parts of Afghanistan, people in the communities are helping each other to learn and study. In the case of the following story, a wife helps her daughter to be able to study by talking to her husband:

The daughter of M. Akbar says, “I hoped to read news, magazines and the commercials of TV but my father didn’t let me at the AIL center near my house. He said the girls should stay at home and take care of the house and cook for the men When the daughters of my neighbors went to the AIL center to study, I became hopeless and sad so I was trying and asked my mother to please give me an opportunity for studying. My mother heard my sadness and went to my father and talked to him. After that, he gave me a chance for learning. I was so happy. I went to the learning center, and, in fact, AIL made my life and changed my life so that I can become part of society.”

Summer Update 2010

Sondra Johnson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:31:28 GMT

More than 90% of AIL’s projects are community-based. Local community leaders work with AIL staff to develop requested classes and programs. Leadership qualities are taught in most classes to empower participants. One student said, “Now I am passing the 4th level class. I never I properly thanked AIL that I have become literate. My family is 10 brothers and sisters and it was very difficult for my parents, especially for my father, to pay school fees for all of us. Now I and my four sisters are in the center studying and I am very happy because my dream has become true. My reading is very good, and I try my best in writing as well. I want to do something for my parents in the future.”

Summer Update from the Afghan Institute of Learning

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:07:04 GMT

We’d like to share some great news with you that will give you a better understanding of our project and the work we do in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Through the generosity of the Skoll Foundation, a timely video was produced about life in Afghanistan and the work AIL is doing to make a difference. The film producer and crew did a beautiful job capturing the essence of the best of the Afghan people, and the struggles they work with to achieve a better life. This film is now on YouTube, and it will be the best seven minutes you spend today. Moderated by Sakena Yacoobi, AIL’s executive director, this video offers a true taste of Afghanistan. Here’s the link to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t1Xu_MwHg We are also adding this as a permanent link to this project for future viewing. Your donation makes a precious impact on the lives of Afghan men, women and children. We thank you for your past support, and encourage you to forward this message to those who can help to continue this important work.

A reminder: June 16 is a special Global Giving Matching Day! - GlobalGiving will be matching all donations up to $1,000 per donor per project for this project at a 50% match. If you could like to donate again to our project, your donation will go further on June 16th. Thank you for your support….

Links:

Wonderful Video about AIL and Life in Afghanistan

Spring Update

Sondra Johnson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:18:28 GMT

More than 90% of AIL’s projects are community-based. Local community leaders work with AIL staff to develop requested classes and programs. Leadership qualities are taught in most classes to empower participants. One adult student said, “Ten days ago, there was a conflict in our village between two families about the arranged marriage of their children. Fortunately, I realized my responsibility and I helped them. I offered logical solutions because I learned leadership skills at AIL. I think these lessons force the society and people to get responsibility about each other. This workshop changed me a lot and allowed me to feel compassion, because I was able to solve the problems of some families.” Other AIL Accomplishments in 2009 included: • AIL trained over 1,800 Afghan teachers in pedagogy subjects, leadership, human rights, and school health. These teachers went to their classes and directly impacted over 500,000 students teaching these important subjects. • Nearly 23,000 students (primarily women and children) attended classes at AIL educational learning centers. • Over 362,000 Afghans received medical treatment and health education from AIL’s 6 health clinics and community health worker program. • In January 2010, AIL expanded humanitarian aid efforts with the harsh winter and reached out to 22 families in need. AIL staff delivered to each family quantities of rice, cooking oil and tea. Most heads of the family were widows with children from Herat, and were recommended by community members. • In February 2010, flooding in the Enjil district of Herat destroyed many family homes, and AIL responded with a concerted effort of initial food aid. Reminder: On March 16, 2010, GlobalGiving will be matching all donations made to any project on www.globalgiving.org by 30% (up to $1,000 per person)! If you could like to donate again to our project, your donation will go further on March 16th!!!

An invitation to read our newsletter

Sondra Johnson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:37:43 GMT

Afghanistan is in the news a lot these days. As a donor to a project in Afghanistan, you may be wondering if change is happening, and if your donation really makes any difference. Following is a message from Dr. Sakena Yacoobi that answers your questions. It’s part of our annual newsletter, where we also share progress reports from several areas, and the impact AIL’s work is having in Afghan lives. This newsletter is below in a PDF format; we invite you to click on it and read ALL the details……

From Sakena Yacoobi: First, I want to thank all of you for supporting the work of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL). Your support is so important. Yes, the funds you send help us to bring education and health to so many Afghan women and children. But, more importantly, in this time of increasing violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, your support helps Afghans to know that they are not forgotten. It gives ordinary Afghan women, men and children the courage to keep studying, to keep going to clinics and to keep working for peace.

Today you probably hear that Afghanistan is a place of war, terrorist bombings, burning of schools, kidnapping, drugs and all kinds of other horrible things. And it is true that in every province of Afghanistan, including the capitol, every single day, these kinds of things are happening. But what you might not hear in your news is that everyday many women, men and children of Afghanistan get up in the morning….. say goodbye to their family…..and go to work….. go to schools and centers ….. go to trainings……because they know that they must be educated. They know that the only way they can stop these problems is to be educated. So they are learning, they are teaching and they are not afraid.

And when there is no electricity or no clean water or no school or no road or no job and there is no help from the national government or the international agencies, Afghans, particularly women, are joining together in community or with their local officials to find ways to solve their own problems. And, with your help, AIL is helping them to do this. I want to let you know that as dark as it seems to be in Afghanistan now, much is happening. Afghans, themselves, are changing. They are educating themselves; they are making sure that their children are educated; they are finding new ways to solve their problems. I would ask you to walk with us a little further on our journey towards peace.

TO READ the rest of our annual newsletter, please click on the PDF link below and it will open for your inspection-

Attachments:

2009 Newsletter (PDF)

A Special Giving Opportunity.....

Sondra Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:05:51 GMT

Thank you for your support. Your desire to make a difference in this world has made a difference, and we are so thankful that Afghan people have had their lives changed with your help.

We wanted to share with you a very special opportunity to give more than 100% from November 10 through December 1st. Please share this with those you know who care. During this time, we are privileged to receive additional matching funds from your donation through Global Giving of at least 30%. The need is still great. Afghanistan struggles to become a country of strength and stability.

A woman who is taking the AIL beautician course says,” My friend told me about the quality education in the AIL center. I liked the beauty parlor class, and I got admitted to this course. Since I started learning this skill, I have found many friends in the center and community. This also helps me to find out what kind of make-up and hairstyle they like to have. I graduated from this course and started my own business. Day by day I learn more and increase my skill. Now I help many poor women by doing their hair dressing and make-up. This skill brings me a good income in my community. I can buy the tools and equipments I need for my beautician shop and I can provide better service for my people. I also help my family with my income- this is all because of the AIL center. I really appreciate AIL providing the opportunity for women and girls to change their life”.

Sakena Wishes to Thank Her Supporters

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:05:18 GMT

There's a new focus on women worldwide. The New York Times magazine dedicated their entire issue one week in August on women in the developing world. Of particular focus was a newly launched book written by the well-known Pulitzer winning couple Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl DuWunn titled: "Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide". The press focus on this timely book is significant- from reviews in Harvard and People magazine, to upcoming segments on shows like "The Today Show", the time has come for women and their issues worldwide to be in the spotlight.

Sakena Yacoobi and her organization the Afghan Institute of Learning is one of the topics in Chapter Nine of the book. Dr. Yacoobi grew up in Herat, Afghanistan and then came to the United States to study at the University of the Pacific and Loma Linda University. Concerned about the condition of her people back in Afghanistan, Sakena returned to Pakistan to work in Afghan refugee camps and later went to Afghanistan. Although the Taliban forbade girls from getting an education in Afghanistan, Sakena was instrumental in establishing a string of secret girls schools with community support.

Today, the Afghan Institute of Learning has multiple education programs in Pakistan and in seven provinces of Afghanistan. There are educational learning centers for women and children, preschool programs, post-secondary institutes, a university, and teacher training programs. In addition, AIL has an in-depth program of health education and treatment for women and small children. Since its start in 1995, AIL has trained nearly 16,000 teachers and over 3.5 million women and children have received a quality education. With the health programs included, AIL has directly impacted over 6.7 million Afghans.

Sakena has been and continues to be recognized for her work. Her philosophy is to develop a program from the grass-roots level so the community members are an integral part of the process. State Kristof and DuWunn in their book Half The Sky- "American organizations would have accomplished much more if they had financed and supported Sakena, rather than dispatching their own representatives to Kabul...The best role for Americans who want to help Muslim women isn't holding the microphone at the front of the rally, but writing the checks and carrying the bags in the back."

Dr. Yacoobi and the work of the Afghan Institute of Learning have been supported by multiple grantors and organizations over the years. "I wish to thank everyone who has helped in this important work," states Sakena. "I want to share with each and every contributor the joy of seeing a young woman, who has a renewed interest in life because she can now read, or the happiness of a widow who has learned a skill that will allow her to support her children.

"We now have children who are healthy because of inoculations, and women who did not die during childbirth who have happy, healthy babies. My wish is that these small steps that allow awareness and growth in families will lead to the growth of our country."

Recently, we spoke with Sakena, and she has this message to all the supporters of AIL:

"It is an honor to be included in Nicholas' and Sheryl's book Half The Sky. So many foundations and individuals have contributed to the work that the Afghan Institute of Learning has been able to do in Afghanistan.

"From the bottom of my heart I want to thank all who have understood the plight of Afghan women and children, and have reached out with compassionate, caring support.

"May God reward your generosity......."

Sakena

August 2009 Update

Alison Hendry — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:31:43 GMT

Recently, AIL was asked by the Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs to report on the impact AIL’s programs have had. We were amazed by our findings. Since beginning in 1996 through May 2009, AIL has supported 315 schools or educational learning centers and 13 health clinics. Most of them are community-based. 220,970 Afghans have been educated in AIL schools, centers and post-secondary programs, 998,088 Afghans have received health services and 1.5 million women and children have received health education. Overall 6,778,026 Afghan lives have been directly impacted by AIL programs.

AIL’s goal is to help Afghan people and communities gain the skills and knowledge they need to become self-sufficient. Almost all of AIL’s Educational Learning Centers are community-based. AIL offers many different classes at Educational Learning Centers, and, thanks to your donations, 8,922 Afghan’s have been trained at AIL’s centers during the first 6 months of 2009.

Here is the story of Kubra, a young woman who returned to Afghanistan from Iran. “I heard about the center in my town and have found that it is ideal for me because it has great teachers and the education I receive is high quality. First I was admitted to the tailoring course, and after I passed it I was advised by my teacher to take the advanced class. After completing this course, I became a professional tailor. I am very fortunate; I have many customers and often stay up until midnight sewing my customer’s dresses. I also have a contract with the local market and sew products according to their orders. Before I came to this AIL center, I was a very disappointed person and I thought I could not do anything to help my family. What I am now is because of the AIL center in our area.”

May 2009 Update

Alison Hendry — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:19:36 GMT

AIL recently received an update from Hafisa, a young woman that had taken classes at a Women’s Learning Center in rural Herat, Afghanistan. As a teenage girl, Hafisa began going to the WLC in her village where she became literate and learned to sew. In all of her classes, the teachers talked about human rights, peace, health and leadership, emphasizing that anyone can be a leader, even if in a small way. After graduating from the center, Hafisa was married and moved away. Hafisa’s sewing skills quickly made her popular in her new village with many people bringing her dresses for sewing. Soon, people in the village began asking her to open a center and teach other women to sew. Hafisa remembered the leadership lessons she learned at the AIL WLC in her village and knew that she could start a class. Starting a center to teach women to sew is a fairly novel concept. At first, her family ignored the requests, but due to community persistence, Hafisa’s family eventually allowed her to open a center in her home. Now she uses one room of her house to teach a sewing class and has 40 students. She collects a fee from the students, and this income has helped to change her family’s economic situation. She is respected in her community and her family is proud of her. Whenever she goes to her own village to see her parents, she visits the AIL center and thanks AIL for giving her the opportunity to be a useful person in her community. Not only did Hafisa learn to sew, she learned to be a leader and found that she could run a self-sufficient center.

2008 Year End Update

Alison Hendry — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:47:18 GMT

More than 90% of AIL’s projects are community-based. The community where projects are located work with AIL staff on the project. Part of AIL’s input is leadership training, which helps community members be better leaders. One of those community members made this comment after taking AIL’s leadership workshop:

“Zainab said, "I can run my educational center much better then previously because I learned about different methods of leadership. I can solve problems that we face sooner then before and after the workshop, my communication has became much better in my field of work and I have become more responsible too.”

Stories to Share

Alison Hendry — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:00:59 GMT

We’d like to share the story of Omid, a student of one of AIL’s centers in Mir Bacha Kot. This grassroots center was begun in 2003, and the following story shows the importance of these centers.

My name is Omid, I live in Mir Bacha Kot and am a student in grade 5. I am studying English at the AIL center in my village, and I have finished two levels of this course. I am very lucky to be a student here because my teacher is very talented. He uses new teaching methods and is a very hardworking teacher. He gives us speeches, reading and writing homework and he checks our work regularly. My father is illiterate and cannot help me when I have problems with my school work. It is important to me to become educated so that day by day my situation in life can improve.

Another wonderful story that we’d like to share is that of Mursal, a computer student in one of AIL’s grassroots centers.

My name is Mursal, I am a student at one of AIL’s centers. I love to learn, and when I saw that my friends were able to use computers and speak English, the international language, I began seeking a good course that would suit our cultural life. After a long time I found this center and saw that it was appropriate for me and I joined. Now I am studying Math, English and Computers. I am so happy to have a computer class here because many of the students really needed to learn computers as well as English. We want to thanks the AIL Office for establishing this class for us. We wish them the best of luck.

Snapshot (2008) of the Community Based Organization Project

Alison Hendry — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:53:12 GMT

Believing that participation by the community in a project gives the community a “stake” in the project and, in the long run, makes the project sustainable, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has been supporting Community Based Organizations (CBOs) since 1996.

As of June 2008, AIL was supporting 33 CBOs, with 4 of those being new centers opened this year. So far in 2008, two CBOs became self-sufficient and one fulfilled its purpose and was no longer needed. From January to June 2008, 8,946 students have attended monthly classes in the 33 educational CBOs supported by AIL. In the same times period, 63,345 patients were treated in AIL’s 3 health focused CBO’s. The 3 health focused CBO’s also have health education workshops, and from January to June 2008 31,563 people participated in these workshops.

Ezatullah, a student at the Tolo e Mahtab CBO says, “I am a student at the Tolo e Mahtab CBO and also a school student of Naswaan High School. I have been studying English at the CBO for 8 months and I am very happy about it. During this short period we have learned a lot of things and the teacher’s behavior was very nice to us. On behalf of my neighborhood thank AIL for their support and wish to have their assistance continue in the future.”

Update on AIL Grassroots Learning Centers

Toc Dunlap — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:03:30 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning ( AIL) continues to be a leader in supporting grassroots Educational Learning Centers for women and girls and boys who have no other access to education. At the same time, AIL is building the capacity of communities to provide educational services for themselves when the government is unable to.

Presently, AIL is supporting 33 grassroots Educational Learning Centers in five provinces of Afghanistan and in Peshawar, Pakistan for Afghan refugees. An average of 10,000 students monthly attend classes in these centers.

Annual Report

Afghan Institute of Learning — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:16:38 GMT

Attachments:

AIL 2005 Annual Report (PDF)

Update

Afghan Institute of Learning — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:15:37 GMT

Believing that participation by the community in a project gives the community at “stake” in the project and, in the long run, makes the project sustainable, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has been supporting Community Based Organizations (CBOs) since 1996.

As of October 2006, AIL was supporting 35 CBOs for a total of 37 CBOs supported in 2006. In 2006, two CBOs became self-sufficient. Over 10,000 students monthly attend classes in the 32 educational CBOs supported by AIL. More than 10,000 patients are treated in the 3 health CBOs supported by AIL.

Mid-Year Report

Afghan Institute of Learning — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 18:58:15 GMT

Creating Hope International shares this mid-year report from the Afghan Institute of Learning, highlighting some of AIL's recent successes!

Attachments:

AIL Report (DOC)