By Celine Schimek | Fundraising
Hello everyone,
some time has passed since our last update - so it's time to tell you what's new with the training program for jewellery smiths! Due to the tense situation in Afghanistan and the restriction of women's rights, we had to make fundamental changes to the project. But read for yourself.
The situation in Afghanistan
The Taliban have ruled Afghanistan since August 2021. The takeover marks a dramatic break in the country's political and economic progress. Exacerbated by global inflation and foreign sanctions, the humanitarian situation in the country is worse than ever. With an unemployment rate of 18.5% in 2022, almost one in five people in Afghanistan are not in work - in comparison: in 2020, the unemployment rate was 11.71%. The high unemployment rate also means that there are too few training places available and job opportunities for school leavers are rather limited. Since the Taliban came to power, there have also been bans on girls and women, which massively restrict access to education and make it impossible to focus the project on its target group at present.
The jewellery smith project
Due to the de facto government's ban on girls and women, which massively restricts access to education, the first test phase of the training program is now aimed at men with war injuries and congenital physical disabilities. Due to their physical limitations, they form a volatile population group and have little chance of earning an income in an already difficult labor market. As women are currently only allowed to work in a few jobs, it is all the more important that at least the men can generate income for the family. The training program therefore not only has a direct impact on the participants, but also on their families - and indirectly on women and children. At the same time, we are continuing to work on ways in which women can also participate as trainees in future implementations of the program.
The nine-month training program includes extensive practical training in which the participants learn the various skills of the craft. Theoretical knowledge is also taught, covering various disciplines from English lessons to marketing, design and accounting. In addition to theoretical and practical training phases, the aim of the training program is to enable participants to work independently or as employees and to build up a network with other blacksmiths.
The official start of the training was in March. The English lessons and the introductory courses on jewelry making have already taken place.
If you want to know more about the project, have a look here.
We hope that we can continue to count on your support despite the changes and want to thank you very much for your support.
All the best,
Celine
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By Celine Schimek | Fundraising
By Celine Schimek | Fundraising
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