Bringing Green to Afghanistan

The Afghan Institute of Learning is very excited to have been given the opportunity to blog at Huffington Post! Our first blog about the Women’s Networking Movement taking place in some of AIL’s centers has been posted. The Women’s Networking Movement is taking place in about 30 of AIL’s centers, schools and clinics. The women coming to these centers are sharing thoughts and ideas in ways that have not been possible until recently. 

To learn more about the Women’s Networking Movement, check out our blog at Huffington Post! 

Creating Hope International, AIL’s partner, has set up a Facebook page where we will be sharing more news, pictures and information about AIL’s programs. Make sure that you ‘Like’ Creating Hope International on Facebook to get all the latest news! 

Links:

• Women's Networking Movement Blog
• Creating Hope International's Facebook Page

Afghanistan has suffered a long and drastic decline in the number of trees, flora, and fauna over the course of decades of war and illicit logging. Old, sprawling, and established forests have been destroyed by shelling, mining, and clearing, due in no small part to 30 years of military activity and mass-logging from neighboring countries. The land has been devastated. Hopeful changes have been made in recent years, however. AIL, although primarily focused on education and health care, has been leading the charge in creating a more green and beautiful Afghanistan for all Afghans.

In February of this year, AIL staff planted over 300 trees and flowers in the city of Herat in two of AIL’s learning centers and two AIL clinics.  At the request of the Herat Ministry of Women Affairs, AIL also planted trees and flowers in the Herat Women’s Garden, which had been devastated by conflict. 

These trees are helping to mitigate the dust and are cooling the ambient temperatures of the city. More are needed; but these changes and developments are making a real difference in the lives of Afghans. Thank you all so much for your support!

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) and Creating Hope International (CHI) would like to wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons.  As you celebrate with those you love, please take a moment to look at CHI’s yearly newsletter, which we’ve attached to this report. As you will see, 2012 has been a transformative year for AIL and CHI. After years of working tirelessly to provide education, training and healthcare to Afghans, we are beginning to see a real change. The minds of those AIL works with are being opened to the possibility of a peaceful Afghan society. 

AIL is in the process of finalizing a 5 year funding plan, which will be put into place beginning in 2013. We are looking forward to sharing the details of this plan with you soon, and hope that you will find it in your heart to give generously to help us reach our goal. The people of Afghanistan are making great strides, but our work is not done yet. Instead of backing down, we need to push ahead and continue to give Afghans the tools they need to create a more peaceful country. We are hoping that we can count on you to help continue our work. 

• Annual Newsletter (PDF)
  

Thank you for your support of AIL’s project. While the situation in Afghanistan continues to prove challenging, with your help AIL is finding ways to continue bringing the idea of sustainability and ‘green culture’ to the people of Afghanistan.

“Going Green” is a new concept for many Afghan citizens, and the AIL office is working to be a good example to the citizens of Herat, Afghanistan by showing that it is possible to garden in the city. They have planted many trees around the city, and are currently focused on tending two gardens at the AIL offices. The students attending classes held at the office are learning about native plants using these gardens and the teacher trainers are working to find ways to bring this project to AIL’s other schools and centers in Afghanistan. After years of war, the people of Herat are happy to have AIL bringing beauty to the area surrounding the offices through these gardens. 

Winter is coming to Herat, so the AIL staff does not have plans to do any more planting until the Spring. We will keep you updated as they develop a plan for continuing the green projects. 

Don’t forget!  The holidays are a great time to share your passion for AIL and the great work that they do! GlobalGiving offers gift certificates which can be used to donate to AIL’s projects. Also, beginning December 1^st, the initial donation made by recurring donors will be matched 100% by GlobalGiving. There is only $25,000 available in matching funds, so help AIL take advantage of this opportunity early!

We have recently heard from the AIL office in Kabul in regards to the trees, flowers and vegetables they planted this spring.  All of the school’s students, including the kindergarteners are involved in caring for the plants. In addition, the staff and clinic personnel are looking after the plants as well. The staff is also finding ways to reduce their use of generators in an effort to help reduce pollution in the city. They are very proud of their efforts to improve the environment around them, and are grateful to you for your support of their efforts.