Impact to Date

Dear fellow Earth-ship cosmonaut!
For the past decade, since I understood the crucial global importance of the glorious Altai Mountains and their beleaguered indigenous stewards, I have devoted all my time and all my resources (my income, my savings, my inheritance) to finding ways that a Westerner could help and not do further damage. Now YOUR continuing help is needed.
The Altai people are now finding ways to positively respond, and have asked for YOUR help. Several projects, mentioned below, directly support Altai villages to re-build their sacred culture and thus sustain Mother Earth.
The cosmic energy that flows into the Earth in Altai feeds all of us! Some Western scientists recognize this, however the ancient mechanisms must still be actively protected. For various reports/updates, see our newly revamped website: www.AltaiMir.org.
Your contribution will be DOUBLED until April 15th. An ADDITIONAL 30% will be added if you can donate ON-LINE on TUESDAY, MARCH 16 (at www.AltaiMir.org)
• $10 = transports 1 regional Altai elder to lead a remote village's self-organizing meeting
• $32 = enables 1 person to map a sacred site to protect it from being sold/developed
• $64 = pays land registration fees for 1 Altai family
• $100 = provides start-up supplies for 1 communal village industry in the traditional way
• $500 = supports 1 Altai educator to develop culturally appropriate curricula for indigenous children for a month
• $1000 = buys 1 portable yurt for use as a village youth meeting place and cultural center
PROTECT MOTHER EARTH NOW!! We ALL must lay the groundwork!
100% of what we receive goes directly into projects in Altai (unless specified by donor).

Links:

• See our newly revamped website!

Pictures:

• Planting seeds for the future (JPG)

Dear fellow Earth-ship cosmonaut!
For the past decade, since I understood the crucial global importance of the glorious Altai Mountains and their beleaguered indigenous stewards, I have devoted all my time and all my resources (my income, my savings, my inheritance) to finding ways that a Westerner could help and not do further damage. Now YOUR continuing help is needed.
The Altai people are now finding ways to positively respond, and have asked for YOUR help. Several projects, mentioned below, directly support Altai villages to re-build their sacred culture and thus sustain Mother Earth.
The cosmic energy that flows into the Earth in Altai feeds all of us! Some Western scientists recognize this, however the ancient mechanisms must still be actively protected. For various reports/updates, see our newly revamped website: www.AltaiMir.org.
Your contribution will be DOUBLED until April 15th. An ADDITIONAL 30% will be added if you can donate ON-LINE on TUESDAY, MARCH 16 (at www.AltaiMir.org)
• $10 = transports 1 regional Altai elder to lead a remote village's self-organizing meeting
• $32 = enables 1 person to map a sacred site to protect it from being sold/developed
• $64 = pays land registration fees for 1 Altai family
• $100 = provides start-up supplies for 1 communal village industry in the traditional way
• $500 = supports 1 Altai educator to develop culturally appropriate curricula for indigenous children for a month
• $1000 = buys 1 portable yurt for use as a village youth meeting place and cultural center
PROTECT MOTHER EARTH NOW!! We ALL must lay the groundwork!
100% of what we receive goes directly into projects in Altai (unless specified by donor).

Links:

• See our newly revamped website!

Pictures:

• Planting seeds for the future (JPG)

As funds come in, AIL evaluates the needs of Swat Valley refugees living in the Peshawar area. AIL plans to make another distribution of aid in late Spring.
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!!!

In 2009, AIL educated 4,165 Afghan refugees in its schools and Women's Learning Centers (WLC) in Northern Pakistan. 79% of those educated were women and girls.
Aziza, a student in the literacy program, shares the following: “I came to the Women’s Learning Center when my cousin told me there were free classes for women. I was illiterate and wanted to get some knowledge. I am responsible for my brothers and sisters when my parents are gone, and need to find work to support my family. I want to become a teacher and one day teach in a place like this to help the people.”
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!!!

In 2010, the Afghan Institute of Learning will formally open the country’s first teaching Gynecological/Surgical Hospital in Herat, Afghanistan. An urgent need for proper maternal medical care is a digital x-ray machine. Once purchases, this machine will allow for proper diagnosis and medical consultations from around the world for 100,000 women and infants. With access to high quality healthcare, the rate of death among pregnant women and infants will be reduced
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!!!

In 2009, the Afghan Institute of Learning supported 28 learning centers in Herat, Mazar, Bamiyan and Kabul, Afghanistan and in Peshawar, Pakistan. Many centers previously supported have successfully met their goals or gone on to become self sufficient- the end goal that AIL strives for. Our supported centers served a total of 22,765 Afghan women, men and children in classes ranging from pre-school to university students. These centers have a huge impact on the lives of our students, since these Afghans have no other alternatives for receiving a quality education.
Here is a story that demonstrates how AIL classes impact women: “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 the community. I’m able 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.”
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!!!

The last several months of winter in Afghanistan have been harsh. Many deaths have happened because of avalanches and flooding, and thousands of poor Afghans have had their homes destroyed. The immediate need is food aid. International aid organizations weren’t prepared for the number of Afghans needing food assistance to alleviate starvation, so the Afghan Institute of Learning is working to fill this need.
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.
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.
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!!!

Ninety five to one hundred percent of the women trained in the Afghan Institute of Learning’s Tailoring courses use their skill to help support their families. Here’s a story of one successful student: “I got admitted in the tailoring course. I finished the course, and according to the manager’s advice, I started the advanced course of tailoring. By completing this course, I became a professional tailor. I have a lot of customers and I work up to midnight to sew my customer’s dresses on time. I also have a contract with the market and sew their products according to their order. Before I came to the AIL center, I was a disappointed person and I used to think I could not do anything for my family. What I am now is because of the AIL center in our area.”
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!!!

The women and girls in Fast-Track classes in the Afghan Institute of Learning’s Women’s Learning Centers (WLC) and schools range from school age girls, looking for extra help and to quickly further their education, to older women attending literacy courses. Many of the older women also come to the center to learn sewing, and become interested in learning to read. Having all-female classes allows a woman to get an education in an area with conservative cultural values. A student writes: “I am a girl who could not go to school due to my family’s strictness. I love to be educated. When I heard about Literacy class in this center, I came here and learned how to read and write. Besides, reading and writing I also learned how to sew the clothes and recite Holy Quran and now by the grace of Allah, I can read and sew too. I want to thank my teachers!”
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!!!

Once they are educated, Afghans understand the importance of computer training for employment and job advancement. The Afghan Institute of Learning offers computer and IT classes in several of their educational learning centers, in their sponsored private high schools and in the Gawhar Shad University. A recent graduate from the University offered this comment; “I graduated from the IT course, and I am happy because I have learned lots of important things. The teacher really worked hard, and I also thank AIL who provided education for youthful girls and boys.”
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!!!

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!!!

During 2009, 1,596 children attended the Afghan Institute of Learning’s six supported Pre-School Education Programs. One of the children said “Before coming to school I played in the streets with my dolls, but I am very happy that I came here. My teacher is very kind and I learned many good things. I even learned national songs of Afghanistan.” Another student says that “I am very happy I learned the foundation of Islam and some other things. Anything I learn, I will teach them to my brothers and sisters.”
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!!!

In 2009, the Afghan Institute of Learning helped to educate 5,700 boys and young men in AIL Learning Centers. Education allows Afghan males to find good employment and support their families, and offers an option to joining more extreme factions.
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!!!

In 2009, AIL staff in their 5 clinics delivered 304 babies. Of those, 300 were healthy. That’s a stark contrast to the infant mortality rate in Afghanistan of 15%.
The Afghan Institute of Learning has a popular 18-month nurse/midwife/health educator program with a long waiting list; graduates of this program can quickly find jobs with medical facilities. AIL would like to expand their nursing program, but is unable to due to limited funding.
A Midwife reports the following: “Wahida is a returnee patient to our clinic. She came to us during her first pregnancy and attended the clinic from the beginning of the pregnancy for pre natal care. She promised us that when she was ready for delivery she would come to the clinic for a safe birth. She then came in labor with her mother and mother in law. We made all delivery preparations for her, and she had a normal delivery.
Her mother and mother in law were very happy because their daughter and new grandchild were OK. They said it was very helpful for them that all maternity services in this clinic are free and that they would, from now on, encourage people to come to the clinic for safe deliveries.
The baby breast fed and then the grandmother took him vaccinations in the vaccine room. After two hours when they left the clinic, they were happy and appreciative of AIL’s health services.
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!!!

During 2009 the Afghan Institute of Learning held 91 education workshops and seminars for a total of 1846 participants. About 71% of those attending these education training sessions were women.
Fahima a participant in the teacher health workshop, says “All the subjects were interesting, especially Tetanus because we are living an unhealthy environment. Tetanus can transfer immediately because the environment is dusty and unhealthy. Everyone must vaccine themselves, especially women who are between 15-45, to prevent a dangerous illness. Today I will inform every student and all my friends to take the tetanus vaccine to be safe from this disease. And I will convey all the topics the trainers taught us to my students to prevent them from dangerous diseases.”
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!!!

In 2009, AIL provided health services to 191,251 women and children through its five health clinics in Herat and Kabul provinces and through Community Health Worker outposts. In conjunction with health care service, 171,341 women received health education. AIL provides education at every opportunity as this is the way to help people improve their health and welfare.
A midwife of an AIL clinic said: Jamila and Saeda are friends. Jamila came from the first day to the clinic for her pre-pregnancy education, but Saeda didn't come to learn and to solve her pregnancy problems. Saeda said that her mother in law said that she had given birth to 12 children and she didn't go even once to the clinic. Saeda was very nervous about her pregnancy. Jamila persuaded Saeda’s mother in law to let Saeda come to the clinic and that they would help her. She accepted the advice and they both came to the clinic and learned about pregnancy and how to solve any problems. Saeda gave birth to a healthy child and did the post natal care. She was so pleased and Saeda 's mother in law was also pleased and promised that if there is any pregnancy problem she will bring her Saeda to the clinic. Both thanked all the clinic staff.
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.
• 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!!!

In 2009, AIL held 18 leadership and democracy workshops in Afghanistan for 570 participants. The objectives of the leadership workshops include increasing awareness among Afghans of their human rights, the meaning of democracy, how they can hold their elected leaders accountable, how they themselves can be accountable to the people that they serve and what they, as individuals can do to bring democracy and respect human rights to Afghanistan in a practical way.
In addition, AIL formed 2 Emerging Leader groups, one each in Kabul and Herat, for experienced leadership participants to research and implement projects within their communities. To date, there are over 17 projects that have been completed or are in process.
Rushan, one of the participants of the leadership workshop in Kabul, says,” soon after taking the leadership workshop, I decided to start a project to help my community. I opened a private literacy and sewing class for 17 women and girls in my home and then I tried to increase the number of my students. The leadership workshop opened my mind- it made me realize that I want to educate other women so they may be self confident”.
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!!!

Most of the AIL carpet weavers are poor widows that have very limited ways to earn a living. Widows in Afghanistan live with their extended family and are given a limited amount of space in which to live (one room of their own). Since one room is not enough space for women to set up a loom and begin their own carpet weaving business, AIL has set up looms in an AIL center for women to use. The center has a master carpet weaver who works with the less advanced weavers in an apprenticeship program. When a hand-woven carpet has been completed, AIL sells the piece and pays the weavers a living wage. In 2009 over ten carpets were completed with several more in process.
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!!!

Afghans, who are refugees in Pakistan, have very few opportunities for post-secondary education. Because of this, AIL opened the Gawhar Shad University for Afghans. This University focuses on Math and Computer Science, and in 2009, had 287 Afghan students. Graduates from these programs can quickly find good jobs in Afghanistan or Pakistan and support their 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!!!

During 2009 AIL served 6161 females in women's learning centers in Herat. They were educated in many subjects including literacy, sewing, art, embroidery, beautician skills, computer skills, Arabic, English, literacy, math and physics.
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.
Here’s a story from one of the women who has benefitted from AIL education: ”I found out about the AIL center in Jabraeel. This center was ideal for me because it has a good system of teaching and good quality results. I got admitted in the tailoring course. I finished the course, and according to the manager’s advice, I started the advanced course of tailoring. By completing this course, I became a professional tailor. I have a lot of customers and I work up to midnight to sew my customer’s dresses on time. I also have a contract with the market and sew their products according to their order. Before I came to the AIL center, I was a disappointed person and I used to think I could not do anything for my family. What I am now is because of the AIL center in our area.”
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!!!

Thanks to the initial funding for this project from the Canadian Embassy, during the first day of operation of CDI’s Mobile Telecentre, more than 40 adults and children have been reconnected with their families, friends and social networks. Fundación CEPAS, from Lota, has received, in a safe place of their damaged building, our Telecentre and has been part of the reintegration of the Lota community. For at least another day the Telecentre will stay in Lota to later move on to the next town and NGO.

Pictures:

• CDI's Mobile Telecentre in Lota (JPG)
• Chileans at CDI's Mobile Telecentre in Lota (JPG)

World Cup Launch & Partnership Agreement.
We are delighted to announce that Ambassadors In Sport (AIS) have signed a partnership agreement with The Department of Correctional Services. The Hope Academy project will be one of the legacy programs of DCS during 2010 and beyond.
AIS were invited to the DCS World Cup regional launch in Westville Correctional Facility in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Westville is the next centre of excellence that has been highlighted to launch a Hope Academy in 2011.
The program of the day included: soccer clinics (run by AIS), speeches from national management in DCS and guests, signing of agreement between AIS & DCS and three soccer matches including a match between Golden Arrows (professional team in Durban) and the select wardens team.
The day was a huge success and the excitement from national office around the Hope Academy project was evident with everyone we spoke with.
The day after the launch we did a presentation for Westville DCS Management on the academy. Westville have shown a strong desire to run the program and launch a fully fledged Hope Academy beginning 2011. AIS will work alongside DCS to lay all the foundations for the academy during 2010.
We are thankful for the success in Hope Academy thus far in both Drakenstein and Leeuwkop and we know that without Him none of this would have been possible.
Drakenstein & Leeuwkop Update
We launch the 2010 Drakenstein Academy on March the 15th. Adam Bull (new head coach) has been laying the foundations for the new season. Trials have been done in 5 different juvenile centers around the Western Cape and we have selected an initial squad of 15 boys. There are many exciting partnerships developing with Drakenstein but that will be highlighted in the next full report.
We will not launch in Leeuwkop as we need to meet with management to iron out some issues raised from last year. Leeuwkop is still developing as an academy and we hope to have the academy running in full swing later this year.

Pictures:

• Westville Prisoners after Soccer Clnic (JPG)

Supporters of the Lambs for School Project recently returned from a visit to Burkina Faso and shared the following - slightly edited - account of their visit:
The old cliché, “we saved the best for last” captures our recent experience in Burkina Faso perfectly! We traveled for 2 weeks before visiting a school where girls are supported by Friends of Burkina Faso (the Lambs for School Project). The two weeks of travel allowed us to become familiar with the culture, history, natural resources, and the complex needs of West Africa.
Three of us visited the primary school in Tilli. The greeting we received upon arrival rivaled any experienced by major dignitaries! The children were encircling the flagpole with teachers and Headmaster. As soon as we got out of the car, they surrounded us with outstretched hands in an overwhelming show of warmth and greeting. My eyes filled with tears --- the emotion cannot be put into words. I could not imagine how they had been prepared to meet us, but clearly they had immediate trust and wanted to welcome us in the most loving way. They quickly resumed their positions around the flag when the Headmaster called to them and as one boy slowly raised the flag, the school community sang the national anthem. It was sung with sincere, solemn, and proud voices. It was very moving.
We were asked, by words and gesture, to join the circle where three chairs were readied for us. Many introductions followed including the request that we introduce ourselves. Lacine (NEEED project coordinator) had briefly introduced us as being part of Friends of Burkina Faso and the Lambs for School Project. The 30 girls who were recipients of lambs wore their uniforms which included tee shirts that say Association NEEED on them. More introductions followed with the regional director of primary education speaking briefly about the goals and needs of the schools. Lacine spoke to the needs at Tilli and the schools in general that NEEED supports. I felt a little like an Imposter in view of all the work and contributions that have been generated by your group but I put that aside and said to myself, “”Be a good ambassador for the “real” FBF people”. I was very proud to represent you! Finally the village chief spoke saying, “We have been told that we have friends in the United States, now we see you”. There are no words to describe my feelings at his simple eloquence.
Next we were shown classrooms that need to be replaced. They are inadequate in all ways: roof not protective in wind and rain; too small with girls seated 5 to a desk/bench that at best would seat 3; overcrowded requiring some to sit on the floor. The teacher had three blackboards with math and French lessons printed. Water is needed and the water table has dropped drastically within recent years with the average well being 110 feet now. This depth cannot be hand dug which is a big problem.
We walked out from the classrooms back into that sweltering Burkina Faso sunlight. A flurry of activity erupted: the girls had brought their lambs to show us! The lambs baa’d and bleated, and for a moment, all I could think of was the nursery rhyme, “Mary had a Little Lamb,” and I began to think that lambs made these “Mary’s” very, very fortunate. The children returned to their classrooms and we were able to share the school supplies that we brought with us, wishing it could have been 500 times more. Again, wordlessly we were moved to yet another location. Imagine our astonishment when we were presented with two live chickens and it was made clear that each of us should hold the chickens high and pose for photos!! Another honor for which there is no equal in my life!
Suzanne, the work that Friends of Burkina Faso is doing is so valuable, every effort is so important, and every kindness is so APPRECIATED! You have my utmost respect.
Thank you for all of your help in making the connections with NEEED possible. Thanks also for your kind advice about sitting, listening and not asking too many questions. It allowed for the experience to simply unfold. I have said to friends about our visit to the school and the interaction with the people there, “” If a person could have but one experience like this in a lifetime, it would indeed be a very fortunate life.” With warmest regards, Claire

On Tuesday, March 16, all donations up to $1,000 per donor, per project will be matched. Donate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, and maximize your gift.
Low rainfall in India in 2009 has lead to the government officially declaring it a drought year. This drought is impacts Rajasthan badly. Water, which was already scarce to begin with, has led to a loss of crop and animals, vital resources and has led many to migrate to cities.
Despite these challenges, GRAVIS has been working with rural farmers and villagers to help them better manage their water supplies. From their latest report:
Horticultural Training:
• Horticultural training has provided the necessary skills to save approximately 75% of plants that are typically unable to survive drought conditions
• At least 150 farmers have adopted bio-fertilizers
• Many farmers agreed to take on the seeds used in demonstrations on an experimental basis after they received training at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute last year. These are seeds that are drought tolerant.
Additional Training:
• 50 farmers and 120 villagers attended trainings on agricultural practices, livestock rearing, composting and seed selection and storage.
• 15 members of local grassroots organizations participated in trainings on drought preparedness advocacy to share with their communities.
• 60 women have improved their vocational skills that allow them to generate household income.
Taankas have also been shown to be key in providing water security. 41 taankas were constructed by November. Fully-filled taankas can save families 300-400 rupees (about $7-$9) per month for approximately 4-6 months. Despite the drought in 2009, all taankas constructed by August were able capture up to 4-5 feet of water. This is an amount will meet a family’s typical requirements for 2-3 months, saving them a significant amount of money. As a result, at least 20 taanka beneficiaries are planning to send their girl children to school.
It is estimated 700 families (4,200 people) have benefited from taankas and agriculture and horticultural training.
Collectively these methods serve to reduce the impact of a drought year, but more work can still be done to improve water access.

On Tuesday, March 16, all donations up to $1,000 per donor, per project will be matched. Donate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, and maximize your gift.
International Women's Day was this week, and to celebrate the amazing and strong girls of Zimbabwe, we wanted to tell you about all the great work going on at GCN. This is the work that you have continued to support through the many difficulties that face girls in Zimbabwe.
An IDEX Board Member, Diane Dodge, recently traveled to Zimbabwe to visit GCN and learn more about the current situation in Zimbabwe.
Diane met with Ruth, GCN’s Program Officer. Ruth explained that in the last few years many people have left Zimbabwe because of the economic and political crises. This has created lots of vacancies in social organizations that work with GCN. Because there are fewer resources to connect with there is less support available. But GCN continues to provide counseling and support resources to the girls as well as tuition and school supplies.
As Diane traveled to meet IDEX grantees in South Africa she spent some time in Cape Town. By chance, she found herself at a flea market where she started talking with a couple selling Zimbabwean artwork. She was delighted to discover that the woman, named Maurible, was not only from Zimbabwe, but that she had been a girl at Girl Child Network.
She greeted Diane warmly and shared her story. Maurible, now 21, credits GCN with saving her life and still regards herself as a GCN girl today. Maurible learned of GCN when she rescued from an abusive situation as a girl. GCN provided her school fees and supplies, and later she became an intern with them, in turn, helping other girls.
When the situation got really tough in Zimbabwe, GCN helped her raise some money to leave the country. Now she is in Cape Town and she says her life is good. She is married and has a little girl. The business is going well, too. Maurible says she will always appreciate GCN and hopes her daughter can experience such a powerful support program to help her find a place in the world.