This is an Email I received a few weeks ago about JETs working to help rebuild Afghanistan. -ed.
A group of 15-30 ALTs from various kens in Japan will travel to Afghanistan this summer to build new primary schools, donate money and classroom materials, and provide educational training for Afghan teachers in conjunction with several NGOs in Pakistan. The group will also be assisted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (ONOCHA) and UNICEF. Their aim is to help rebuild Afghanistan's education system. To that end, they would like to appeal to all JETs across Japan to make a personal donation, however small, or organize their own fund-raising events to raise money for Afghan schools. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute directly to the people of Afghanistan.
The organization, JETA (Japan Exchange Teachers in Afghanistan), was founded in January 2002 by Aomori ALT Alex Smith. During their short stay in Afghanistan, they will be conducting seminars in Kabul City, the Ghazni Province, the Bamyan Province, and possibly other sites so that they may provide money, labor and ideas for language education and help train Afghan men and women interested in teaching English.
For two decades, education in Afghanistan has been at a standstill due to fatwa which forbade women`s education, and to severe poverty—a result of 22 years of war. The recent political and economic changes in Afghanistan have made it possible to begin rebuilding Afghanistan`s educational systems. The Interim Authority in Afghanistan has begun a "back to school" program which will build new schools and train new teachers, but it badly lacks funding. The rebuilding of Afghanistan`s educational infrastructure is essential to helping it recover and maintain itself as a nation.
Therefore, they ask that you please help us by donating or raising money and by telling everyone you know about the group and its mandate in Afghanistan. Of course building an educational system is an enormous task, but every small donation will make a difference. Therefore, they want as many JETs as possible to contribute. An appropriate donation would be 1000 yen or more (though less is welcome). JETA members will pay for their own accomodation and travel expenses to Afghanistan so 100% of donations will go directly towards Afghan schools. Every little bit would be greatly appreciated.
So how can you donate? There are two ways:
Please feel free to contact Shilpa Moorthy at shilpa_moorthy@yahoo.com if you have any questions about contributions or Alex Smith at sartrenoexit@hotmail.com if you would like to learn more about this project.
