October 30, 2009

Daman Elementary School is one of the three schools we are trying to help in the next 3-4 weeks. This particular school is operating in three tents without actual brick and mortar classrooms. It is amazing that they have 100 students in those small tents. We visited two times and offered our help. And later Captain Kramer, our Commander, decided to help get classrooms built for them. I was very impressed with his decision to support the school.

Dr. Rafi made another appointment with the school representative and had him visit us last Saturday to meet me directly. Unfortunately I was out on a mission with a platoon and Dr. Rafi was out on a mission. Asad was the only one left and met the school rep alone.

Dr. Rafi talked with a teacher from the school and had him bring us the list of 20-30 names of local men who are willing to work on building the school. However, when Asad met the rep, it was not the school teacher who Dr. Rafi talked to, but the owner of the land who donated it to the school.

He explained to Asad that he wasn’t able to bring us the list of the men, because the village elders did not agree on building a bigger school. They needed 6 classrooms instead of 3, so he asked the village elders to donate a bigger plot of land. The elders got upset with him, suspecting that he is in it for profit. Wow… That was something I had not expected from them. I thought they would be thrilled at the concept of having a school built for them for free!!!

They do not want the school to be built, because they suspect someone is in it for a profit, meanwhile their children are studying in 3 small and torn tents for untold how many years. I could not understand them.

And another upsetting point is that no one was able to stand up and make their voice heard for the children, not even the teachers.

Dr.Rafi and Captain Bassid (ASG Commander) decided to take a trip to the school and talk to the elders to convince them to build the school for the children.

I pray that the school gets built for them. We are also planning to distribute shoes, clothes, and school supplies to the students.

The school’s requested things:

1. Classrooms built
2. Water well for school
3. Clothes
4. Shoes
5. School supplies
6. Food for students and family
7. 1 bicycle each for three teachers: they live far from the school and bicycle will be great commuting transport for them. It costs US $60/bike.

August 11, 2009, Tuesday

Yesterday, 4 boxes arrived from my good friends, Ms. Sue Nickol, The Herger family, and Mr. Steven Satterfield. They have continually supported me throughout the projects, and I do not know how to thank them. Sending the message out, collecting, arranging, packaging, driving up to the post office, what about the cost of postages… I know not everyone can do this. That’s why I am very thankful to them.

I have seen the devastated children and people in Afghanistan, but my supporters only read what I wrote on my blog and decided to help. They gave me their trust in me to do the right thing for these people. Thank you so much for your support!!!

• Steven Satterfield
o 4 bundles of note book papers
o 7 boxes of crayons
o 4 boxes of chalks
o 3 rulers
o 2 sets of color washable markers
o 12 mechanical pencils
o 3 book covers
o 5 sets of 10 ink pens
o 6 dozens of pencils
o 2 sets of 10 color pencils
o 1 pencil case
o 2 erasers

• The Herger family
o 12 pairs of new white socks
o 1 pair of used working boots ( size 11)
o 6 new back-packs

• Sue Nickol
o 16 pairs of new socks
o 1 pair of used running shoes (size 10)
o 1 pair of used working boots (size 13)
o 1 pair of used running shoes (size
• 1 pair of used sandals (children size 2-3)