South Cariboo
Afghanistan Project Committee
Box 224, 100
Mile House, BC V0E 2E0
E-mail
South Cariboo Afghanistan Project
January 17, 2010
This past Friday (Jan.15) Esmat from Jeloucha, Afghanistan, along with John King of Hope International, spent the day bringing our community up to date on the year's activities in Jeloucha. At noon they met with a group of high school students, including 5 who had driven from Kelowna to be part of the gathering.
Dec 22, 2009
Esmat Nazaryar is back in Canada and will be visiting 100 Mile House January 15th. He will spend the day of the 15th meeting with students at the junior high and high school. Later in the afternoon he will meet with the Mayor and council to talk about the relationship that was developed when Donna Barnet was Mayor.
Oct 28, 2009
Earlier
this year, HOPE sent a 40’ container of medicines and medical supplies to
their partner in Afghanistan,
the
As
always, HOPE International Development Agency seeks to bridge the gap from
emergency to survival and from chronic neediness to sustainable
self-sufficiency. So even as short-term aid in the form of food rations is
distributed to Afghani families, we are working with the people to create
reliable supplies of food and income.
A Seed Bank in a village like Jeloucha establishes a system for increasing
the amount of available seed in a community. Members contribute seed, draw upon
the fund when they need to, and pay it back with modest ‘interest’.
An Animal Bank grants people the incredible food and labour resource
that is a cow or an ox.
Both systems were established in Jeloucha alongside HOPE’s distribution of
emergency aid last winter. This help, both short and long-term in nature, could
not have come at a better time.
Grandmother Qahar was smiling despite the fact that she had just demonstrated
that her family of six had only 4 kilograms of flour left to eat. She had just
been told that not only would they be helped through the winter (last winter),
but they would also receive an ox and enough seed from the Seed Bank for next
year’s harvest. She knew that her family’s odds had been phenomenally
improved. And in fact, they were able to plant the seed, conditions this
year were good, and they had a good harvest - - all because of the food and seed
provided last year. Add to that the new water-supply with water-points
throughout the town - and these people have reason to hope again!
July 27, 2009
This past weekend I heard from John King of Hope International
on the current status of the work in Jeloucha. The water system was completed in
May but the official opening was delayed until this week. The delay was caused
by a delay in the Agha Khan Foundation providing a nurse educator to work with the
community to ensure all understood the use and importance of clean water. Esmat
was concerned that the Agha Khan Foundation might not keep its promise of a nurse educator
if the official opening happened before the educator did the work. The village
must have decided this was important as they did not use any water until the
education happened. April 10, 2009 Animal
Bank 45 families have received animals
(cows, oxen, sheep, goats), distributed by the local committee.
Loans will be repaid with cash plus 5%.
(The government programs charge 12%, the Aga Khan Foundation charge 18%)
The loans were timely, and desperately needed.
The people are very grateful. Nov 27, 2008 Aug 26, 2008 Aug 12, 2008 It is time to update everyone on what is happening with our
involvement with Jeloucha, Afghanistan. May 2, 2008 April 30, 2008 Nov 17, 2007 Here
is the description of the water - system and costs. Apparently there are
3 villages in 1, so business people could fund a third of the total and be
funding one village. Let me know how it goes. Warm
regards, John Hope
International Development Agency 1
866-525-4673 (ext 11) or cell
604 767-8154
Jeloucha Water System Total
village plan
Sojani
Village detail –
Costs Summary
Estimation of Jaloucha, Absarina and Sujani Villages Water Pipe Scheme S.No. Summerized
Items Total
Cost (USD) Cost
Distribution Communities Donors 1 Construction Materials and Work
Tools (pump is $12,000) 80850 80850 2 Labors(Skilled/Unskilled) 17187 7532 9655 3 Transportation 4250 4250 4 Supervisory Staff 7950 7950 Sub-Total - A 110237 7532 102705 Contingencies(2.5% of Sub-Total) 2756 2756 Total 112993 7532 105461 So the cost for each village will be
about $35,000. One donor has given $10,000 for
the system, so we have the balance of $25k to go.
Total beneficiaries are estimated at 10,000, or 3,300 per village, but
the system will be built anticipating at least 15,000 people.
Once the system is completed, the road to the fields is finished, and
other projects are done, people may begin returning from other countries, as it
will be more attractive to return home, repair their houses, and try to make a
life there. Nov 1, 2007 Sept 14, 2007 After
you have read this I would remind you that donations in support of the people of
Jeloucha can be made directly to Hope International Development Agency, Box 608
STN MAIN, New Westminster, BC V3L 9Z9 or you can drop of donations at the United
Church in 100 Mile. In either case you will be issued with a formal tax receipt
at the end of the year. Jack Hello
Jack The
harvest this year is looking much better over last year, a big relief for the
agriculturally dependant families. We undertook a very successful relief
distribution over this last winter and spring, distributing wheat and cooking
oil to 1,696 families dealing with a desperate food shortage. The relief
came at a right time, and in a right manner – the people of Jeloucha and
area are very grateful to HOPE supporters and look on us as a group of people
who do what we say we can do, and do it compassionately and effectively. This
food support does not mean that families are out of trouble, as it was a
band-aid for families facing chronic food shortages. Subsistence farming
is harsh, as what is produced (a function of many variables beyond the control
of the farmer) literally determines whether or not a family will face hunger and
malnutrition. The root causes of hunger is what HOPE (under Esmat’s
leadership) are focusing on now for this Fall as the last harvest cycle wraps up
and before the onset of winter. We have had many requests for help from
families for animals, particularly cows – an animal that represents a
lifeline to the poor (milk, labour, meat, and for the desperate, an asset that
can be sold). A milking cow is about 400-500 USD, and Ox is 500-600 USD, a
sheep is 80-110 USD, and a goat is 50-70 USD. These are common animals in
the Jeloucha area. The requests have been for loans so these animals can
be purchased. HOPE wants to get involved in this critical support, and
will be working out in the coming months the best method of distribution that
ensures ownership and sustained progress of any benefiting families. We
plan to initially invest about $10,000 in animal/agricultural support starting
this Fall. 100
Miles house has been a significant part of the positive development made
possible in Jeoucha. So, thanks. Given the information of destruction, mis-appropriated
aid coming out of the country (particularly in the south) it is heartening that
Esmat and the residents of the Jeloucha area are able to help in an appropriate
and meaningful way. Sept 10, 2007
I have just heard from Hope International on the
latest happenings in Jeloucha. You will recall from my last update that the
finishing touches were being made to the Medical Clinic and that there would be
a ceremony to turn over the clinic to the Afghan Government. This has now
happened.
April 23, 2007 Completed Medical Clinic Completed Medical Clinic
Food Distribution New 7 Km Road New 7 Km Road April 15, 2007
Work has now begun on the school. The community is
providing all the labour and some material. Hope International is providing
the capital funds and Esmat's supervision. The Government has agreed to take
the school into the system thus providing teachers and operational funds once
the building is completed. A bit like the deal with the medical clinic. Hope
estimates a two year construction cycle simply because it will take that
length of time to raise the needed funds.
Both the animal bank and the seed grain bank are
operating well. It is worth noting that the community, on its own initiative
are working to extend the road into their farm fields again this year.
Esmat's wife Nadera lost her father recently and
the family arranged for Nadera and the three children to travel to Afghanistan
for the summer. The family will be back in October with Esmat arriving for
December when we will be able to have him come to 100 Mile to meet with us and
give a personal update.
Once again I thank everyone for supporting this
project and developing the relationship between Jeloucha and the South
Cariboo.
Remember that if you wish to make a donation to
the work in Jeloucha you can do so directly to Hope International by mailing a
cheque, clearly marked for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project to: Hope
International Development Agency, PO Box 608 Stn. Main, New Westminster, BC
V3L 9Z9 Or you can drop off a donation at the 100 Mile House United
Church on Dogwood clearly marked for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project. In
either case charitable receipts are available.
Jack Witty
The efforts of the
people of the South Cariboo to help Jeloucha is bearing much fruit and
appreciation of Canada. Thanks to all of you for your support over this past
seven years. As usual I include the addresses where you can send donations:
make sure to mark the donation for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project to
Hope International Development Agency, PO Box 608 Stn Main, New Westminster,
BC V3L 9Z9 or you can drop the donation off at the 100 Mile House United
Church on Dogwood clearly marked for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project.
Jack Witty
The water system is almost complete with two of
the three water reservoirs completed and the third almost so. Clean water is
now available to the community so there is no more reliance on the river with
all its contaminants.
It is time for seeding (I assume winter wheat) in
the area and for the first time in several years the conditions are very good.
The money we sent last spring toward establishing the seed bank has been put
to good use as the village elders were able to help the poorest of their
farmers. These farmers will replace the seed at harvest time next year.
However, because of several years of drought, there is an acute shortage of
seed and so help is needed to buy more seed on the open market. Because of the
drought many people have been forced to eat their seed just to survive.
Esmat is being approached daily for help with
finding seed with people coming from more distant places hoping to find help.
While HOPE International has been working on the
long term needs the drought conditions have created a major short term
problem that, somewhat similar to last year, means finding help to provide
basic survival food for the winter while at the same time replenishing the
seed bank for next year.
So the urgent need for help at this moment is
money for food (wheat, cooking oil, etc.) and for seed.
With the water system up and running the village
has decided next years priority should be the school. The government has
provided plans for the building in the same way they provided plans for the
medical clinic. Build to these specs and there will be government support for
operations. It is well to note that this building, like the medical clinic
will be built by the community, not by outsiders. The school being used at the
moment is falling apart because an outside group came in and put the building
up without foundation or regard to the location.
Although most of the funds raised in our area over
the past several months have gone toward re-establishing farm animals it now
looks as if, for the short term, we need to send help for basic food and
seeds.
As usual help can be sent directly to Hope
International Development Agency, 214 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC V3L
3A2 clearly marked for The South Cariboo Afghanistan Project. Or drop off your
support at the United Church on Dogwood clearly marked for the South Cariboo
Afghanistan Project and the money will be forwarded. In either case charitable
receipts will be issued.
Thanks for your support
Jack Witty
What we learned:
The water system was changed from a deep well
drilled through bed rock to a dug well several hundred feet from the river.
This well has a continuous flow of water filtered through several hundred feet
of sand and is free of contaminants. The well head still has to be covered and
that is being worked on. The distribution system to points around the
community will be by gravity fed pipelines buried below the frost line. There
will be two reservoirs on a hill above the well to provide the gravity feed
required. The reservoirs will be filled by a diesel driven pump. Training
is being set up for individuals to manage the system. On going operational
costs will be born by the villagers.
The economy has had a strong injection of new
earnings because of the road built from the village to the melon fields. In
the past the farmers had to haul their melons to market in Kunduz, a full days
travel walking with the donkey, where they were paid (in Canadian equivalent)
20 cents per melon. Each donkey carried 10 melons and the usual loss rate for
the trip was 5 melons or half the load. This resulted in earnings, on average, of
$1per load. The new road has meant that the people of Kunduz who are only 45
minutes away by car/truck can now drive directly to the melon fields and buy
from the farmer with no wastage. Farmer income has increased significantly.
Esmat shared with us a bit of frustration with the farmers as he has tried to
convince them to experiment with other cash crops to add to their income.
However, farmers there like farmers here (and probably most of us) dislike
taking the risk of trying the unknown that might fail while they can stick to
the known and be sure of some income.
The medical clinic is operating well and now
serves an average of 100 patients a day. This has been a major benefit to all
the people of the area not just the immediate families in Jeloucha.
Work does have to start on a school as soon next
year as possible. The current building was built by a group from the World
Food Program about 4 years ago. The people arrived in the community, selected
a plot of relatively flat land, and put up the building without any discussion
of input from the village people. The building was placed without a foundation
and so is now literally falling to pieces. Cracks in the walls allow one to
see right through the building. This then will be a major effort for next
year.
Jeloucha is in the midst of another drought and
facing a winter with very short food reserves. The rice crops planted along
the river bank will be the mainstay. In addition it is probable that Esmat may
have to use some funds for grain and cooking oil distribution this winter.
The plans for the seed grain bank are well
underway and this should ensure that there will be seed for next year's wheat
seeding. In addition the village has worked out the plans for the development
of the cattle and other animal distribution to once again rebuild the family
herds. This will be the focus of our South Cariboo Fund Raising over these
next months as we push the idea of farmers helping farmers.
One of the pictures raised a question about
poppies and the Afghanistan drug trade. The picture is a picture of red
mountain flowers that bloom in the early spring. They are not poppies. The
poppy fields of Afghanistan are several hundred kilometers to the south near
the Pakistan border and have absolutely nothing to do with either Jeloucha or
the people of northern Afghanistan.
As most of you know, Saturday was also the day of
the funeral of Shirley Case, the young woman from here who was killed by the
Taliban near Kabul. She had been working with children and, along with another
volunteer from Montreal was murdered. Esmat expressed the sorrow of both
himself and his people over this tragedy. He also said that we must all
remember there are ten million Afghanis and only a few thousand Taliban, very
few of whom are actually Afghans (most are from Arab countries or Pakistan)
and that if we despair over this death then the Taliban win simply because we
gave up and left. He also told me that if only the media would look at the
example of what is happening in Jeloucha they would have a far different
picture of Afghanistan and its people. Jeloucha is becoming an example of what
can be done by simply helping a village rebuild and find their way again as
opposed to either armed conflict or great projects that come to a place, throw
money at a project (much of which never gets to the project) and then go away.
This is not community building.
One of the pictures he showed was what looked like
a well head with a pump ready to pump water - except that it was a dry hole.
He told us that a group had come to Jeloucha, drilled into the ground, placed
a cement cover and a pump, took many pictures, and then left, presumably
to collect their money and show that the work was completed.
The Jeloucha we are helping is a far cry from that
sort of fraud.
One of the great strengths Esmat believes of our
involvement is the exchange of letters between the school children. He brought
back several letters for the school children here and these will be given to
the schools after school convenes in September. In the meantime I will make
copies of them and give them to the newspapers in the hopes that over the next
few months they might print them to share with everybody. If I can figure out
how to do it I will scan them ino the computer and share them with all of you.
If I have missed anything I am sure others who
were at the gathering will let me know so I may have to supplement this with
another e-mail later. It was a very good and informative discussion on
our involvement with Jeloucha.
Remember you can continue to support the work in
Jeloucha by sending a contribution to Hope International Development Agency,
Box 608 Stn Main, New Westminster, BC V3L 9Z9 clearly marked for the
South Cariboo Afghanistan Project or drop a donation at the United Church in
100 Mile clearly marked for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project. In either
case tax receipts will be issued.
Thank you again for your support.
Jack Witty
At the same time Esmat and the Mayor will have an
opportunity to discuss when and how a visit to Jeloucha can happen as reported
recently in the 100 Mile Council.
As well as reporting on current and completed work
Esmat will share with us the plans for rebuilding the cattle and goat herds of
the farmers of the area.
John King from Hope International will be in
attendance and will be able to respond to questions about money raising and
transfers to the work. For any who have questions about Hope International
Development Agency John will be able respond.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as
possible at this gathering as it is a wonderful opportunity to have first hand
information on what our support has accomplished. Please tell your friends
about this worthwhile community endevour and invite them to the meeting.
I hope both our papers will take the opportunity
to attend and interview Esmat and John.
Thank you again for your continuing support for
the people of Jeloucha.
Jack Witty
Esmat Nazaryar is back in Canada and will be
visiting us August 23rd. The visit is now being set up and I will have more
information on that as we get closer to the date.
In the meantime the biggest news is that Mayor
Donna Barnet has received an official invitation from the people of Jeloucha
to visit them and receive their thanks for our commitment and help. I am
hoping this will happen so that Donna can be part of the official dedication
of the new well and water system for the village. The well is now in operation
but the water distribution system is still under construction. Esmat estimates
the system should be completed by late September.
The work on the system is going a bit slower than
anticipated as the area is now under drought conditions and crops are failing.
This means that men from the village are going to other places looking for
work in order to have enough money to buy food for their families. Water
system crews rotate so that there are always some free to seek paid work
elsewhere.
Also on the food problems Esmat tells me that the
surrounding countries have closed their borders to food export as they too are
suffering. What the people of Jeloucha have done is planted rice along the
river edge where they can water the plants. This may be there only crop, other
than their melons, that will be harvested this year.
So for this year our community has contributed to
the development of a food storage and distribution capacity that allows the
community to store food for winter and early spring distribution as well as to
ensure a collective community seed stock. The budget for this is $20,000 of
which we have already contributed several hundred dollars.
We are also contributing to the new effort to
restore livestock production to the community. This support provides for the
purchase of, primarily cows but also some goats, for families to begin the
long process of rebuilding their herds destroyed by the Russians and the
Taliban.
As you know from previous messages the medical
clinic is complete and operating to the benefit of all the people of the area
as well as the families of Jeloucha.
For next year it is hoped that a shallow well can
be drilled to provide potable water to the Kanabad school (part of the
Jeloucha area) thus benefiting 5,000 students. The cost of this will be
$5,000.
By far the most ambitious project for 2009 is the
construction of a primary school building in the Jeloucha community to be
operated and staffed by the Ministry of Education at a cost of $284,000.
No one expects that our small South Cariboo
community can raise all these funds but our contribution and commitment is a
major source of help and support to the Hope International Program for
Jeloucha.
One last comment straight from Esmat. Esmat said
to me that our community working with the people of Jeloucha without political
or government interference can show the world what good things can happen when
people help people. No matter what else happens we are forever identified in
the lives of the people of this area of Afghanistan as their friends. Not a
bad reward for standing by a people we may only ever meet through Esmat's
reports and, hopefully, Mayor Barnet's visit.
Again I thank all of you for your continuing
interest and support. Remember you can make direct contributions through Hope
International Development Agency, Box 608 Stn. Main, New Westminster, BC V3L
9Z9 or drop off a contribution clearly marked for The South Cariboo
Afghanistan Project with the United Church in 100 Mile. In either case
charitable receipts will be issued at the end of the year.
Thanks again for your support.
Jack Witty
1. The money for the water system is in place.
Work started this week and should be completed within six months with several
water points around the village.
2. The community has now shifted its vision to
bringing the school up to a standard and size so it can serve all the
students. Hope will be looking for funding for this.
3. Esmat is trying desperately to find a way to
start a cattle bank where he can buy a few animals and loan them to farmers
who will keep the off spring and then pass the original animal to another
farmer.
4. The re-establishment of the grain bank.
While speaking with John King I indicated $500 is
already in the mail to get the grain bank started.
I then suggested that our fund raiser on May 10
through the United Church auction should dedicate that money to the cattle
bank. A sort of farmer helping farmer idea. John thought that was a good idea
and suggested that maybe the money we raise this year could be dedicated to
the animal bank. I agreed with him and, unless I hear back to the contrary
from any of you, our efforts this year will go to providing animals to
the farmers of Jeloucha.
Jack
The first big news is that when Esmat Nazaryar was
here last November with his personal update he happened to talk on the side
about a personal dream. The dream was to reestablish the grain bank his father
had maintained carried forward from chiefs before him. The grain bank served
as a perpetual storage for seed and emergency food in the face of drought or
other catastrophe. This was all destroyed by the Russian invasion in 1983.
Esmat's dream is to get it back and operating. When asked what it would cost
in Canadian dollars to make it happen he said $500.
The children in the United Church Sunday School
heard the message and began raising money. With the help of their parents and
others the $500 has been raised and is now on its way to Jeloucha.
This years top priority for Jeloucha is the
establishment of clean water. All the money raised this year both here and by
Hope International will go to the development of the well and the distribution
system. There will be much local effort to extend the road worked on last year
further into the growing areas of the village.
I would like to remind everyone that what is
happening in Jeloucha is happening with the help of the money we send but,
more importantly, all work and decisions are made by the local people. Hope
does not impose any outside decisions. This is a project where the people
of the community have total ownership. And it is thanks to people like you who
have supported this project for six years. Yes it is now six years since you
began suporting these people and I thank you for sticking with it!
If you would like an evening of fun and fund
raising take in the auction at Creekside Centre, May 10. Tickets ($20 each
include supper) are available from Donna Nivison (791-6497); Cheryl Powell
(395-4809) or the United Church office (395-2932).
To make a direct donation to Hope International
mark your cheque South Cariboo Afghanistan Project and mail to Hope
International Development Agency, Box 608, Stn Main, New Westminster, BC V3L
9Z9 or you can drop it off at the United Church clearly marked for the
Afghanistan Project. In either case charitable receipts will be issued.
Thanks again for your support.
Jack Witty
I find the map of the village of particular
interest. It reminded me of a community in the Eastern Arctic where we lived
during the 60's. At that time the Inuit were moving into the community but
tended to cluster together in their traditional family camp groups. So we
actually, just like Jeloucha, had 3 distinct areas within one community.
I hope you find this of interest.
Jack
----- Original Message -----
From: John
King
To: Jack
Witty
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:48 PM
Subject: Jeloucha water system
Hi
Jack
The report will bring us up to date on all that
has happened in the past two years while Esmat has been leading the project.
The second part of the discussion will be the
plans to bring in a well and provide clean, safe reliable water to the 2000
families that live in the village and presently have to get their water from a
surface stream that is anything but clean.
Thanks to the support of the Municipality of 100
Mile House we will gather in the Valley Room of the Lodge Conference Centre
behind the Red Coach Inn at 1:30 Saturday, November 10.
Plan to make this a community day with friends.
Visit our annual Winter Craft Fair in the morning, have lunch at the Fair followed
by attending "The Gift of Water" presentation in the Valley
Room of the Lodge Conference Centre. Refreshments high light a
"Taste of Afghanistan."
Please tell all your friends and spread the word
so as many people as possible from the South Cariboo can hear first hand what
their support has meant to the people of Jeloucha as they rebuild their lives
from the destruction of both the Soviet invasion and the Taliban devastation.
See all who can make it November 10.
Jack
I've attached a picture of the completed clinic.
Esmat reports that he has finally secured the
signatures of the senior people in the government and the Clinc now has the
official support of the Government.
With this task completed Esmat will be returning
to Vancouver the week of September 10. As he hasn't seen his family for more
than a year I won't be asking him to visit us for a bit but as soon as it
seems appropriate I will be trying to arrange a visit.
The next immediate tasks in Jeloucha will be an
extention to the school and the installation of a safe water supply at the
school in Kanabad where Jeloucha children go for higher grades. I need to find
out just where Kanabad is in relation to Jeloucha and when I do I will include
it in a later update.
We can look forward to avisit and personal update
by Esmat sometime later this year, I hope!
Jack
I remind you all about the fund raising dinner
auction by the United Church May 5th with part of the proceeds dedicated to
Jeloucha. Tickets are available from the United Church or call Cheryll Powell
395-4809. Or send donations directly to Hope International Development Agency,
Box 608 Stn Main, New Westminster, BC V3L 9Z9 or drop off at the United Church
clearly marked for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project.
Jack Witty
During the last 4 months the
Jeloucha clinic construction progressed and is now complete except for
some finish work (painting, glass for windows).
· HOPE will formally
transferr responsibility of the ongoing operation of the clinic to the
Ministry of Health. As such, the responsibility for ongoing costs of
staffing and stocking the clinic will be assumed by the proper national and
provincial authorities. HOPE is considering help to provide an initial
stock of essential medicines.
· At the request of the
community, HOPE helped with the construction of a 7 km road; this road
replaces an extremely rough and washed out trail that connects Jeloucha
villagers to their field enabling them to easily
carry their agriculture products to their houses and bazaar, especially melon
and watermelon growen in their rain fed lands. The road is a simple but
sturdy development. HOPE provided the technical assistance and covered
the expense of material, and the residents enthusiastically provided the
labour. As we meet with the villagers now they are requesting that HOPE
continue the construction of another 3 Km under this arrangement.
This winter was particularly
difficult for the people living in northern, rural areas given a prolonged
drought in the region. To respond to a food-shortage crisis this year,
HOPE distributed some food to some of he most desperate families in our
project area. So far HOPE has
distributed 30 tons of wheat and 600 cans of cooking oil (each can
contains 3 liters). Distribution of food is still in progress.
Abdul Star and his family is one
of the hundreds of poor living in Jeloucha. The only property the
family has is a milking cow. Due to a number of merciless and persistent
conditions (a.k.a. poverty) he recently decided that his only option to feed
his family was to sell this cow. When
HOPE met with the Star family a few days ago (mid-April 2007) in Jeloucha,
Abdul Star described their condition:
"I have very little rain on my lands last season, and due to 7 years of
drought it became useless and the only property I have is a milking cow.
Because of my poverty I decided three months ago to sell my cow and purchase
some food for my family (there are 8 person in my family), so I became
deeply disappointed. Fortunately I was I informed that HOPE has a plan
to support the neediest people in the Jeloucha area and a few days later
I received some wheat and cooking oil and my children still receive
milk
from the cow. In this village many families are very poor like me, I am
very grateful and I hope for HOPE more success, because HOPE is hope! -
· HOPE in Afghanistan
continues to receive requests for assistance from villagers and rural
communities.
John King
Hope International
1 866 525-4673 (ext 11)
1 604 767-8154 ( cell )
The fund raising efforts and the direct donations from people here in the South Cariboo and, we must remember, that very first donation of $1000 from the Girl Scouts in Eagle, Colorado who learned about our efforts from the 100 Mile House United Church web site, has over the five years, exceeded $40,000. Not bad for a rural community not much bigger than the one it is trying to help!
The
folks at the
The
actual on the spot work in Jeloucha has been possible because of three
remarkable conjunctions. The speaker on the first Sunday of January 2002 at the
100
Three
desires came to fruition. The desire of the
Hope
International took on Esmat as the on site program coordinator/manager. Hope
also committed to raise funds over and beyond what we in the
This past winter has been difficult as last summer's drought reduced crops drastically. Esmat has distributed over $15,000 in food aid so far with a bit more to go as people get ready to work the land beginning next month.
Still in the planning stage is the rebuilding of the forest to help recover from the Taliban destroying all the trees, as well as the building of a school for girls as they need a separate school after about grade 5.
And
we must not forget the association the Mayor and Council of 100 Mile House have
built with the Chief and Elders of Jeloucha. Their exchange of letters and gifts
has maintained the personal contact that means all of us in the
If
you can, support the
I thank you all again for your support of a people far away who simply need a hand up to get their farms and community up and running and free of war.
Jack Witty
Dec 9, 2006
A few weeks ago I wrote all of you to say that there had been a major crop failure this year in northern Afghanistan due to drought leaving much of Jeloucha in very dire straits. I asked HOPE Int. for an up date this week and have had back the following information. HOPE is making a distribution of food and blankets. The situation is serious for all 1500 families in Jeloucha, and critical for 600 of the most needy who do not have enough food stores to get through the winter. HOPE advises they need $60,000 for this effort. They have, to date raised about half of this amount.
Nov 1, 2006
Oct 26, 2006
There is nothing new to report on Nadera and baby Alaha. Unfortunately our news bites all seem to do with the fighting and little, at least to my knowledge, news has come from other parts of Afghanistan. There is grave news from Jeloucha and much of northern, western and central Afghanistan. These regions are currently suffering under a drastic drought. 85% of all cultivated crops have failed. An independent group out of Geneva states that women are suffering most in the failure to meet family food needs.
July 2006
Our friend Esmat Nazaryar came to 100 Mile House June 22 along with John King of Hope International to tell us what has been happening in Jeloucha over this past year. I think I can sum it up in a few words like 'our money has been well and responsibly spent'.
|
|
|
|
New Medical Clinic |
Clinic & Officials |
 |
 |
|
|
Students in front |
of destroyed School |
New School under construction |
The school is next on the priority list. Currently the school goes to grade 5 but will be expanded to grade 9 and then to grade 12. The need is now for another school for girls beyond grade 5 as parents will not permit their girls to attend an integrated school after grade 5. This will be something that needs to be worked toward over the next few years. Esmat brought back several letters from the school children for the school children here. Bernice Enns has taken the letters and shared them with the children at Bridge Lake and 100 Mile Elementary as they are the ones who originally wrote to Jeloucha children.
Apr 21, 2006
The United Church is holding its annual spring auction May 6 and, as part of the proceeds will go to the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project, I asked HOPE International for the most recent information on Jeloucha. I have had back the following information.
Mar 13, 2006
There isn't a great deal new information since I last wrote. Winter in northern Afghanistan is much like here, maybe even a bit north of here, so construction is sporadic and under difficult condtions. Also we have to remember that almost all of the work is hand work - no heavy machinery to take over the heavy lifting.
Nov 22, 2005
Esmat and family are still in the community of Pole-Khomri which is south of Jeloucha (I'm not sure how far) and is working toward moving to Kunduz which will be much closer to Jeloucha. The current position is partly a function of maintaining contact with the authorities and partly a function of communication.
Esmat now has an administrator (male) who has agreed to work as a volunteer until an office is set up all dependent of getting in place communication, transportation, space and reporting procedures. Esmat is also trying to hire a woman to help with office chores. All of this is happening to satisfy the requirements of the Afghan government to ensure HOPE has a physical presence in the country.
In Jeloucha the community organization work has started with the lining up of labour and commitments from workers to work once a week on the school and the medical clinic. Esmat has been working with the community and the government authorities to ensure a smooth start to work. The villagers are keen and a bit anxious (just as HOPE is) to get all of the physical work underway.
Winter has set in but work will be able to proceed , although at a slower pace. One of the prioities is for Esmat to purchase a truck to transport the required materials into Jeloucha. This has probably happened since Esmat's report. On a personal note, after seeing the pictures of the road into Jeloucha, I hope they have good bush mechanics!
Remember you can support the rebuilding of Jeloucha through Hope International Development Agency, Box 608, Station Main, New Westminster, BC V3L 9Z9 or by dropping off a donation at the 100 Mile House United Church clearly marked for South Cariboo Afghanistan Project. Tax receipts are issued by both groups.
I thank you all for your support.
Jack
Oct 18, 2005
First I am glad to report that the recent earthquake that has so devastated Pakistan and Kashmire did not effect Jeloucha. Although Jeloucha is not effected if anyone is looking for a way to help the victims of the earthquake HOPE International has strong partners in Pakistan so donations through HOPE will get to effected areas very quickly. Check their web site for up to date information.
Much of Esmat's time over the past two months has been devoted to clearing the red tape of the Afghan government for permission for Non Government Organizations (NGO's) to operate in Afghanistan. This is a new requirement that has been brought in to ensure the government knows who is working in the country. John King of HOPE says this is probably a good thing as it ensures some order and lessens the possibility of duplications of effort.
During the September election Esmat's brother, the Chief of Jeloucha, ran for a seat in the Afghan parliament. As of now the results have not been confirmed as the ballot counting is taking a long time. Part of the problem has been finding about 300 polls (1% of all polls) that may have been contaminated by fraud. In any case the final results are to be announced the last week of October. It is to the credit of the Afghan people that, out of 12 million elligble voters, over 8 million defied warlords and internal problems and voted. (With all our safety and freedom we have a hard time getting a 66% turnout!)
HOPE is trying to get Esmat set up with an e-mail system to facilitate communication. When that happens I think we will get more current information.
Last week I sent just over $1800 dollars to HOPE. This was money contributed through the 100 Mile House United Church. As I have no idea who gave this support all I can do is offer major thanks for your support for the people of Jeloucha.
Jack
June 10, 2005
For those of you who made it to the May 14 choir concert at Martin Exeter Hall you will know what a treat it was to have the Magee School Choir from Vancouver perform. They were wonderful. Only about 80 people showed up for the evening so our fund raising after paying for the hall and some smaller expenses did not work out all that well. The total appears to be somewhere around $500 but I will have a full accounting of that in a couple of weeks. There were several envelopes picked up for direct gifts to Jeloucha through Hope International. I have asked Hope for a total of funds raised to date so I can let you know.
You may not know but Dennis Tupman had arranged for the Magee choir to travel to Williams Lake and present their music at an afternoon concert in St. Andrews United Church. That concert raised approximately $900 in addition to whatever has been sent in by direct donation. I have asked Hope for those numbers to be included in the report back to us.
At the May 14 concert Esmat Nazaryar, who had just returned from Jeloucha, presented Mayor Donna Barnet with a letter of friendship from the Chief and leaders of Jeloucha. In addition he delivered letters from the school children in Jeloucha to the children at Bridge Lake school and the children of John Whidon's class in the 100 Mile Elementary School. This means that one of our original aims of building a bridge of friendship between our two communities is now established. Our fund raising will help Jeloucha rebuild their community but the communication exchange will do even more as it slowly builds understanding between us.
While Esmat was in Jeloucha he worked with the community to complete the necessary paper work to ensure that the Government of Afghanistan would support the school and the medical clinic when they are built. So our support can now access their national government support once the two buildings are in place. Esmat secured the ministerial signatures so the commitment is solid.
I am asking Hope for an update on the budget and I will distribute that as soon as I receive it. I would still like to see folks in the community who have a particular interest see about raising funds to be directed at particular sectors. For instance maybe someone who is deeply involved with forestry might be interested in taking on a project to raise funds for the reforestation and the building of the nursery. Or it might be agriculture and raise money for seeds and animals or education to raise funds for school materials. I really don't know but I do know the South Cariboo is full of people with talent and passion and here is an opportunity to direct that energy to a people who need help.
I will try to have a money raised and budget update to you before the end of June as I will be out of touch for much of the summer.
Jack
May 3, 2005
Last evening I spoke with Esmat Nazaryar. He returned from two months in Jeloucha, Afghanistan last Thursday. He told me that the time in the community went well. The community leaders are very happy with the idea of a pact of friendship between their community and ours. Esmat will be delivering a letter from their leaders to the Mayor and council of 100 Mile House at the Concert May 14.
The letters and pictures from the school children here (John Whiddon's class at 100 Mile Elementary and Bernice Enns class at Bridge Lake) were well received. Esmat is presently translating the Jeloucha children's replies and will bring them to us May 14.
I did ask about the building of the health clinic and school and Esmat told me that he found, when he got to Jeloucha, that he had to complete a great deal of government paper work in order to ensure the Afghan government would support both the clinic and the school. If building started without government approval then there would be no commitment on the part of government to support the work in Jeloucha. ( Reminds me of some other government's I have encountered!).
Esmat also told me that the German Embassy in Kabul has been training local Afghans in the production of professional film work. Somehow he talked the Embassy into using Jeloucha as a practice work and so a German film specialist will be doing a story on Jeloucha as a training project with the Afghan students. Esmat will have the completed work to share with us later in the year.
If you can, try to make it to the Concert at Martin Exeter Hall May 14 for a chance to speak with Esmat and Matthew Redekopp from Hope International. The opening of the concert will highlight Esmat's presentation to the Mayor and Council, the delivery of the letters to the children, an update of what is happening by Esmat and all of this, thanks to the support of our local detachment of the RCMP, supported by a constable in Red Serge.
I hope to see everyone May 14.
Also if you have friends who would like to be added to this e-mail list please let me know and I will add them.
Jack
April 1, 2005
It is a while since I have brought you all up to date on what is happening with our support of the rebuilding of the village of Jeloucha, Afghanistan. On March 8 Esmat left Vancouver for Afghanistan. Through e-mail connections we had arranged for him to meet with an official of the Canadian Embassy in Kabul on his arrival. However, that fell through as the official was away at the time. From there Esmat travelled to Jeloucha. His sister, Atifa, wrote me this morning to say that Esmat had called home from Afghanistan to say that all was well with him and that he would be going to Kabul. Atifa did not have any further information. I am still expecting Esmat back home in time for our musical fund raiser May 14. He will be bringing many pictures and a complete update on what is happening in Jeloucha. So, mark your calendars for May 14 at Martin Exeter Hall for a great musical evening and a first hand update on Jeloucha. In early March Matthew Redekop of Hope International (many of you will have met him at last fall's 'Taste of Afghanistan' evening) travelled to Peshewar, Pakistan to meet with Hope International's partners there who had worked with the women and children of the Jalozai refugee camp. As you will recall for two years we raised funds to help the women and children there. Matthew was told that the children appreciated the drawings the children from Bridge Lake and 100 Mile had sent during the winter of 2003. Hope's partners had pictures to send back but were still holding them so Matthew has brought pictures back with him and he will be forwarding those to us soon. On April 23 the United Church is once again sponsoring a fund raising auction at Creekside Centre with a percentage of the proceeds going to the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project. Last year they raised just over $600 for Jeloucha. If you would like to attend the auction or donate an item for auction contact Cheryl Powell 395-4809 or Donna Nivison 791-6497 or call the United Church 395-2932. As soon as I hear anything directly from Esmat I will send it out to all of you.Jack
Feb 22, 2005
I have just had a long conversation with Esmat Nazaryar, whom many of you met at The Taste of Afghanistan evening. Esmat is off to Afghanistan Feb. 25. He assures me he will be back in time for a visit to us in May with a full update of what is happening in Jeloucha.
He is taking with him letters and pictures from school children in 100 Mile House and Bridge Lake. He is also taking greetings from all the people of the South Cariboo and, more specifically, will be spending time with the leadership of Jeloucha helping them understand what a friendly and official relationship with our agricultural area through the Mayor and couincil of 100 Mile House means.
I was reminded this morning of your steadfast support for Jeloucha as I listened to a report on the CBC about how governments around the world have failed to live up to their pledges to help Afghanistan. Because of 20 years of war and the slow pace of support from other nations Afghanistan has the lowest educational levels in the world (less than one third are literate); among the lowest health services and virtually no infrastructure. When one considers the natural way things happen in our world most aid and support goes to large population centres, and that makes sense but it leaves the small and rural for folks without support unless it comes from people like us.
Please mark your calendars for May 14 for a major fund raiser at Martin Exeter Hall.
As I hear from Esmat and Hope International I will pass on the information to you.
Remeber you can continue to support by sending funds to Hope International Develoment Agency, Box 608 Stn. Main, New Wesminster, BC V3L 9Z9. Or you can drop of funds marked for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project with the United Church on Dogwood in 100 Mile. That money will be consolidated and forwarded. Remeber both groups issue tax receipts.
Thanks again for all your support.
Jack Witty
Dec 17, 2004
A sort of end of year up-date!
I have just sent off a cheque for $1779.10 representing gifts left with the United Church for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project.
I have also been in touch with Esmat (our Afghan friend) and Matthew Redekop from HOPE International. Esmat and Matthew are planning a trip to Jeloucha village around the end of January so we should have a good update on their return. They will be there about two weeks.
The letter from the Mayor and Council of 100 Mile House to the Chief of Jeloucha about the idea of a form of twinning our communities has been translated and has gone to Afghanistan. As soon as we have a reply I will be letting you know the result of the letter exchange.
Have a happy and blessed Christmas and we will look forward to 2005 and the beginning of restoring the village of Jeloucha!
Jack Witty
Nov 12, 2004
Most of you have heard that we raised over $4000 dollars on the evening of our 'Taste of Afghanistan'. Since that evening there have been several more contributions going directly to HOPE Int. or dropped off at the 100 Mile United Church. The only count I have at the moment is that this additional amount is over $1500. I will try to put together a good report on this at the end of the month.
However, this report is to give you a copy of the current budget as developed by HOPE in conjunction with the expressed needs of the community (attached). I have also had some new material from HOPE.
Esmat (whom many of you have now met) will be travelling back to Afghanistan and Jeloucha in the spring to meet with community, community leaders and his family to determine (confirm) the priorities and to see the work started. Project activity will begin in spring 2005 (only a few months away). In the meantime HOPE will work with the village to identify families who are currently threatened by a landslide in a part of Jeloucha. Should it be required temporary shelter will be provided to house the families (approximately 25 families) in a safer location during the winter until more permanent structures can be built in the spring.
At the moment HOPE thinks that the funds raised here will be going as a first priority toward the health component for the community. Establishing primary health services within the community is an entry point to the community. Ensuring there is primary health care meets an urgent need of the community and builds goodwill among community members that shows that we are concerned and committed to the people of Jeloucha. The government of Afghanistan is willing to provide a doctor on an ongoing basis and have the clinic fall under their auspices. HOPE has made contact with a local doctor who was inspired by Esmat's original commitment to the people of Jeloucha (some of you will recall the story of Esmat travelling to the larger community and convincing the doctor to go to Jeloucha if Esmat paid for the costs. This was the first doctor anyone had seen for several years.) This doctor is willing to volunteer his time and expertise twice a month. To do this the conditions are that 1) there be a clinic in Jeloucha, a physical building with space dedicated to health services, and 2) that this clinic be equipped with the appropriate/necessary equipment and supplies. This can be done at a relatively low cost. HOPE is budgeting $13,555 Canadian over 3 years, much of which will be spent in the first year to cover construction costs. The clinic will serve a minimum of 1500 households.
As many health issues are related to clean water work will also start on access to clean water as soon as possible. However, because the water table is quite deep, this will be one of the most expensive aspects of the three year program.
Tree planting and the regeneration of the forests is an important component. Many of you who saw Esmat's pictures will have noted the lack of vegetation. Higher up in the mountains are stands of trees that provide important resources, both timber and non-timber products. These stands are dwindleing.
The following plan is being set in motion:
Esmat's family owns some land within the community of Jeloucha. He has agreed to donate some of this land for the project. A tree/plamt nursery will be established on this site. The nursery will be used to grow seedlings (pistachio trees and other varities to be determined, fruit trees and vegetables) which will be distributed at subsidized cost. The nursery will also provide seedlings for community reforestation efforts in the threatened woodlots within walking distance of Jeloucha.
Because the location is central, the nursery makes for an ideal place for demonstrating to the communities plants that are viable in Jeloucha, given the soil and climate conditions. New ideas (techniques, varities, etc.) will be diseminated from here. Vegetation appropriate for the area does not require much water. However, water will be needed to establish the seedlings. A pump with tubing will be purchased to bring water from the nearby river.
Before people can move out to work with the woodlots an assessment of the threat of landmines must be made hence the budget item for landmine detection.
Some people have spoken to me about shipping farm/hand tools that most of us have in our sheds and shops that are surplus to our own needs as well as other basic items to
Jeloucha. I have discussed this with HOPE and, although they believe it would be a great immediate hand-up, the shipping costs are very high ($6000 for a 20 foot container). Their is also some problem being assurred that what is sent actuall gets there. I have taken it upon myself to contact our Ambassodor in Kabul and ask him to help us solve the problem. I have specifically asked that if we put material in smaller containers could they go to Afghanistan with our Armed Forces resupply or something else he might suggest. We'll see what comes of the query.And one last item. Last Tuesday evening (November 9) the Municipal Councel passed a motion to explore establishing a somewhat official relationship with Jeloucha. This is similar to the twinning that goes on between cities around the world where recipricol relations can be set in motion. This relationship would be one of shared caring and goodwill with no expectation of some sort of quid pro quo arrangement. We will have to see how this works out over time.
Remember that if any of you have any questions or ideas you want looked at just drop me an e-mail.
Also remember that donations can be sent to HOPE International Development Agency, Box 608 Stn Main, New Westminster, BC V3L 9Z9 (remember to mark the cheque (for Jeloucha or for South Cariboo Afghanistan Project) or you can drop a donation at the United Church in 100 Mile. Make the cheque to South Cariboo Afghanistan Project. Both these bodies will provide tax receipts.
Jack
| Afghanistan - Jeloucha Community Development | |||
| Three Year Budget (2005-2007) | |||
| Total (CAD) | Comments | ||
| 1) Community Empowerment: | |||
| Local Organization | Honoraria for volunteers | 9,000 | |
| Project Officer | 6,000 | ||
| Staff Training | Exposure & training for project officer | 2,950 | |
| Exposure & training for volunteers | 250 | ||
| Self Help Groups | Journal Books for SHGs | 75 | |
| Training for SHGs | 300 | ||
| Revolving Fund for SHGs | 22,500 | ||
| 41,075 | |||
| 2) Environment: | |||
| Housing | Temporary relocation of families | 3,000 | canvas tents, for appox. 25 families |
| Housing materials | 7,000 | ||
| Forestry | Mine threat assessment | 2,000 | may not be required |
| Nursery set-up | 1,500 | labour, tractor rental, seed procurement | |
| Water pump and hoses/pipes | 300 | ||
| Seedling subsidy program | 7,500 | for distribution of fruit / nut / timber trees | |
| Water Supply | Installation of water system | 155,685 | 15 70m deep bore holes, @ $10,379 ea |
| 176,985 | |||
| 3) Education | |||
| School | School construction materials | 8,500 | 600 student school |
| Educational materials/supplies/activities | 3,000 | $1,000 / yr school fund | |
| 11,500 | |||
| 4) Health and Nutrition: | |||
| Medical Clinic | Clinic furniture and equipment | 642 | |
| Clinic building construction | 4,913 | ||
| Doctor | 8,700 | including fuel expenses | |
| Clinic assistant | 1,800 | ||
| Medicines & consumables | 5,400 | ||
| Nutrition | Education materials | 120 | |
| Kitchen Garden Kits | 6,750 | for set-up of household gardens | |
| Health & Sanitation | Education materials | 120 | |
| Training local educators | 900 | ||
| 52,345 | |||
| 5) Livelihood: | |||
| Farming | Agricultural support | 1,200 | tools, farm improvement initiatives |
| Technical agricultural training | 1,600 | workshops / farm exposure visits | |
| 2,800 | |||
| Total Expenses: | 284,705 | ||
| 8-Nov-04 | |||
Nov 1, 2004
I can hardly express how impressed I was with the support for last Friday evening's fund raising Taste of Afghanistan. We raised just over $4000 and there are still folks who are planning to send in donations. It was a great evening and I thank all of you who made it out.
I need to share with you a conversation I had with Esmat at breakfast the next morning. He told me he was quite overcome with the support and care for his people in Jeloucha from people who lived half a world away. He outlined the history of his people over the past two hundred years and how the Hazaras were ground under the heel of the ruling powers. At one time it was legal to kidnap Hazara people and sell them as slaves for which the government received a tax. When Esmat's father was a young man the king of that time decreed that for one year every male child would be killed at birth and every mother would have one breast cut off to make feeding children difficult.
And then came the Russians who actually imprisoned Esmat for 3 months after which he escaped through Pakistan and India to Canada. After the Russians came the Taliban who not only destroyed Jeloucha they took everything, including clothes from people's backs. Now that the people have returned they have found that the new government simply does not have any means of helping the people rebuild their community and their lives. Esmat recognizes that but he also feels that the very remoteness of their village from the seat of power in Kabul lends a very heavy sense of indifference to whether the people survive or perish.
Now he finds a rural community and people here in the south cariboo who actually care about his people as people. He was impressed with the genuine feeling during our evening that people cared. And so I say to all the people at the evening and through you to all the people of the south cariboo - you did good!!
A suggestion was made during the evening that we ask the Municipality of 100 Mile House to consider entering into a formal relationship with Jeloucha. Dennis Tupman and I will research this and make a presentation to the Mayor and Council sometime this month.
I will have another note out to you very soon that outlines the budget that Hope International is developing with the Chief and leaders in Jeloucha so you have an idea how the gifts you are providing are being used.
Did any of you who were out to the evening take pictures? Esmat would like to send pictures to Jeloucha to help build the bridge of friendship that we have started. If you can donate a copy of pictures he can send to Jeloucha please contact me either via the e-mail or phone at 791-6456.
A few of you are new to my mail list. I added your names after seeing you out for the evening. If you would rather not receive any further mailings please e-mail me to take your name off my list.
Also if any of you have special interests or questions you would like me to follow up on please let me know.
Thank you again for all your help.
Jack Witty
South Cariboo Afghanistan Project
Oct 7, 2004
A very exciting evening is planned for October 29 at The Hills. The committee is sponsoring an evening for people to get a taste of Afghanistan in food, music and dance.
Esmat and Nadria Nazaryar along with a brother and sister, who originate from the village of Jeloucha in northern Afghanistan, will join us for the evening. They will have pictures and will speak to the needs as the villagers work to rebuild a community torn by war for 25 years.
As part of the evening we will hold an auction to raise money toward the rebuilding. In addiiton, for those who do not succeed with the auction, there will be envelopes at every table for people to make personal contributions. These personal contributions will be acknowledeged by a tax receipt acknowledging a charitable donation.
Tickets for the evening will be available at Didi's, Donex and The Hills. The tickets are $12 to cover the cost of the food.
Please consider coming and supporting the building of friendship and peace with a people who have known neither for the better part of a generation.
If you have any questions feel free to call me at home 791-6456
Jack
Aug 21, 2004
As you will see from the attachment, HOPE International is now ready to begin work in Jeloucha. At the same time as this arrived a letter was forwarded to us from the Chief of Jeloucha. I quote:
TO
The Respectful People of 100 Mile House, BC, CanadaAugust 12, 2004
Dear Friends,
First of all, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to everyone of Hundred Mile who loves people and has a good heart. We wish you will always have good health and that God will keep you safe. The poor and deprived people of Jeloucha village of Qunduz Province, Afghanistan got the news from Esmatulla (those of you who attended the meeting at the United Church in the spring will remember Esmat) that Hundred Mile people kindly announced their support to Jeloucha's people. We are very thankful for your love and support. We always wish happiness for you who love people
We hope for your kind friendship and support to come to our village soon.
Sincerely,
Habibullah Nazaryar
Representative and Chief of Jeloucha,
Qunduz, Afghanistan
I will be presenting this letter to the Mayor and Council at Tuesday's Council meeting and asking them for a reply from the Mayor. The reply will be forwarded through HOPE International for translation and forwarding through their project people.
Once you have read through the attachment you will see the
several objectives and the dollar amounts that HOPE needs to raise to make things happen. Although we are not the only people HOPE will be working with to raise these funds we are, I believe, the only community that has attempted to build a relationship between communities.For those of you who would like to consider a bit of
promotion the attached material allows you to do some choosing. If education is where you would like to put support then consider doing something to raise funds for the school; if health and safe water is where you would like to put some effort then how about raising funds toward the water supply; if you have a particular interest in farming why not raise some funds toward the small business enterprises fund - this can apply across a wide range of ideas from helping women set up small weaving works (maybe local weavers would like to do something) or maybe the farming/ranching community would like to contribute funds to set up a system that allows farmers to buy tools and possibly animals, especially bullocks for farm work or maybe people interested in forestry might raise funds for the small enterprise reforestation, or what about gardeners raising funds toward seeds for next years spring planting. I have no idea where the list may stop so if any of you have or know someone who has thoughts toward support for Jeloucha feel free to get back to me and I will check out any and every idea through the HOPE project folks.Remember that funds are usually matched by Canada so that our dollar becomes two. Also remember that there are two ways of making donations, both of which are receipted with charitable receipts. You can drop funds off at the 100 Mile House United Church made out to The South Cariboo Afghanistan Project or you can send them directly to HOPE International, 214 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A2. Again mark the funds for the South Cariboo Afghanistan Project and, if you have chosen a particular sector for support indicate that.
We have now moved beyond helping people survive in a refugee camp to helping them rebuild their community and their lives.
Any questions contact me via e-mail or phone me at 791-6456
Jack Witty
Mr. Ambassador: Several months ago I wrote your office telling you about the people of the South Cariboo, centered around 100 Mile House, in central British Columbia supporting, through Hope International, Afghan refugees in a camp at Jalozai, Pakistan.
We have now moved to a different phase with our support - that of helping returned refugees in the community of Jeloucha, Qunduz Province, Afghanistan to rebuild their community and their lives.
We are working through Hope International of New Westminster, British Columbia.
We would appreciate, whenever Embassy staff are in Qunduz Province, that they visit Jeloucha and become acquainted with the people there on our behalf. We would also, as your work loads permit, appreciate any observations you have of the community and the difference help from Canada makes in people's lives.
Thank you for your interest and for representing us in such a difficult area of the world.
Jack
South Cariboo Afghanistan project
About
Afghanistan
Over the last
two decades the people of Afghanistan have seen nothing but bloodshed and loss.
Jeloucha is 250 KM north of the capital of Kabul, in Kondoz province.
Jeloucha has a population of 1,500 families.
Access to
Jeloucha is by mud road that is prone to landslides. Local transportation is by
donkey. There is no post office, no health clinic, no electricity and no clean
water. There is only one school that serves 600 of the over 3000 children. This
school lacks a roof, and only can only serve children up to Grade Four.
For 20 years the people have lived on
the run, first from the USSR invasion, and later from the Taliban. The
people were robbed of their assets, livestock, and property; women were harassed
and men were ill-treated. People fled their homes, hiding in the mountains and
later finding themselves in refugee camps of neighbouring countries. Upon
their recent return, they found their homes in a state of disrepair. Natural
resources such as forests and water sources have been severely degraded
The absence of conflict has brought stability to the area, allowing the people to begin the rebuilding process. HOPE International is working in this war-torn community to enable the people to rebuild their lives and their village. The Jeloucha Project will establish community structures that will enable the development of sustained health and livelihoods. Over the next five years HOPE will work with the community to:
· Ensure education for children and youth. The existing school will be rebuilt, allowing students to attend classes without exposure to the elements.
· Provide clean drinking water. Villagers currently spend hours to collect dirty, parasite-ridden water.
·
Promote
family nutrition.
Home gardens will be established, fruit trees planted, and an education campaign
by locally trained women will teach family nutrition.
· Provide primary health care. A clinic will be established in the village
· Provide income generation support. Credit will be available to new and fledgling enterprises. Repayment of loans will provide credit for future loans to more villagers.
· Protection of the environment. Tree planting and soil protection measures will stabilize eroding land.
· Re-establish viable agriculture. Training and farm tools will help establish a viable alternative to the production of illegal drugs.
There is an opportunity for concerned individuals to improve life for the 1,500 families in Jeloucha. Here is how you can make difference.
q
A gift of $2,000 will provide seeds, tools, and
training so that 120 families can cultivate gardens that will provide nutritious
food.
q A gift of $5,000 will enable people to start small businesses to provide 300 families with an income.
q A generous gift of $10,000 will enable the people to drill one well, providing clean, reliable water for 800 people.
q A generous gift of $13,000 will rebuild the school to meet the needs of all the children.
HOPE believes in careful stewardship of resources. Administration and fundraising costs are consistently held to just 4% of funds raised. HOPE obtains match funding for its projects from Canadian and international sources, further increasing your outreach to the poor.
Jun 7, 2004
I have forwarded a note from John King just as he sent it. This note went to others in his mail list so it is clear he is trying to bring other people up to date as well as us.
I am now corresponding with John King to determine the community priorities so we can begin to focus our efforts.
Jack
----- Original Message ----- From:
John KingTo:
Overseas UpdateSent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 2:37 PM
Subject: News from Afghanistan
Barbara Walters of 60 Minutes did a story on gender roles in Kabul several years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that women customarily walked about 5 paces behind their husbands. Barbara returned to Kabul recently and observed that the women still walked behind their husbands, but now they seemed to walk even further back, and appeared even happy with the old custom.
Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with this old custom, one that you used to lament and tried to change?" The woman just smiled at her and said, "Land mines."_________________________________________________
Greetings!
While this story is humorous, there is a serious side. Earlier this week, as we travelled together to 100 Mile House, BC, Esmat (a leader from the village of Jayloucha, Northern Afghanistan) told me that the people from his village cannot harvest pistachio nuts from the mountain trees because of land mines.
But they have even more urgent problems. Hope went to Jayloucha (about 10,000 people) with Esmat last month, assessed the situation, and is helping the village to get clean water, develop family incomes, plant pistachio trees around their homes and farms, and help them rebuild the village damaged by the Taliban. A core group of 25 people in100 Mile House pledged to link with this village and do all they can to help them, and they will, but more help is needed. I think this is the first time we have had a village leader living and working on this side of the ocean, and it makes the connection quite personal!
It is a lovely story, that started with Esmat, married, with 2 little boys, living frugally but happily in the Vancouver area, supporting refugee relatives in Pakistan, but wanting to do more to help the people of his village. He returned to the village in 1995 and built a school out of mud and poles with village help (see attached picture), but the Taliban destroyed it soon after. Now the north is peaceful, and as he talked about his vision, others wanted to help, and approached Hope to help them organize an appropriate response. And so we have new, and exciting project started. If you know people with an interest in Afghanistan, please let them know about this good work.
Blessings, John
Jun 1, 2004
Last evening 25 people gathered at the United Church in 100 Mile to hear a presentation by John King of HOPE International and Esmat Nazarvar of Surrey and formally of Jayloucha, Afghanistan.
Esmat, as a volunteer, returned to his home village in early April along with an experienced project manager from a Hope project in India, to assess the help required to help this rural village and area to rebuild their lives.
Esmat, as a young man, was supported by his village to be the first one to attend university. He attended in Kabul but with the Russian Invasion he had to flee the country in the mid '80's and is now a Canadian living in Surrey but with an enormous desire to help his people. In 1995, between the departure of the Russian army and the rise of the Taliban, Esmat, at his own expense, returned to Jayloucha to help the community rebuild their school. After Esmat's return to Canada the Taliban took over Afghanistan and completly destroyed the community of Jayloucha. Included in the destruction of the physical infrastructure such as buildings, water supply and agriculture they stole all animals, the actual wealth of the community. The people fled into the hills for refuge or into the refugee camps in Pakistan.
With the United Nations action Afghanistan, although far from peaceful, is back on the road to recovery, especially in the cities. Rural areas are, unforthunately out of sight and probabyl out of mind, in the recovery effort. Jayloucha is free of war lords and their violence so a project can proceed without interferance.
Because of this Esmat approached HOPE International to see if they would become involved. HOPE has done the assessment with the help of Esmat and the HOPE project manager from India and have decided that this is a project that fits HOPE's mission and expertise.
Esmat, who still owns family land in the village, has offered to donate the land for use as a tree nursery (something we in the Cariboo can well identify with) to reforest the mountain slopes that were totally denuded during the Taliban time.
HOPE International is now developing the budget and the work plan. They are raising an initial $20,000 to cover the first year budget on a three year work plan. At last evening's meeting we were able to present a cheque for $2400 raised in the community over the past couple of months.
In addition HOPE is preparing a proposal to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for matching dollars. This means that for every dollar we raise Canada will match it with another dollar. A great way to influence the way our international help is focused on something we support.
I will get new updates out as they come in. Because HOPE will have a project manager on site we will be able to get good information back in a timely fasion so we know what is going on and where we may want to direct some of our effort in raising funds.
CBC radio out of Kelowna read the 100 Mile Free Press from last week where they ran the story of the South Cariboo Aghanistan Project with the announcement of last night's meeting. I was called this morning by CBC and they have asked to do a live interview with me tomorrow (Wednesday) at 06:42 AM. If you are awake at that time you might tune into the CBC (91.3 FM) and pick up on the questions asked as they may ask me things I have not thought to put in my reports to you.
Thank you all for past support and I hope you can find the means to continue supporting a rural community, not unlike ours, that needs help to put war and strife behind them as they rebuild their community and there lives. Remember donations can go directly to HOPE International, 214 6th Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A2 or dropped off at the 100 Mile House United Church. Be sure to mark South Cariboo Afghanistan Project on your envelope so it goes to the project. In either case you will receive a charitable receipt for tax purposes.
Jack Witty
May 17, 2004
During April of this year a former Afghan resident, Esmat, now living and working in Surrey, volunteered with HOPE International to return to Afghanistan to assess the situation in the rural area from which he came.For
almost the last two decades, resulting first from the invasion by the USSR and
later the Taliban regime, Afghanistan and its people have seen nothing but
bloodshed, destruction of national wealth and loss of individual property,
assets, families and lives. During this period the villagers from most parts of
the country were robbed of their homes, livestock and property. Most fled their
villages to hide in the mountains, later finding themselves in refugee camps in
Pakistan.
Despite
the promises made by those involved in freeing the country from the Taliban most
cities in the northern provinces still do not have functioning infrastructure
like water, electricity, phone, sufficient medical facilities and schools, roads
and sanitation, postal services or news papers.
Funding
agencies and Non Governmental Agencies (NGO) from all over the world are in the
country. Most of their work is in emergency relief projects, doling out money,
food and supplies.
A
large part of the local population has been refugees in camps in Pakistan for
several years. Recently many have returned to their villages to find their lands
and houses were destroyed, the environment had been stripped of trees and that
the state had little infrastructure to offer support. Everything is in ruins and
everyone must start from scratch. Afghan Government departments have so few resources to support
the people that in an interview with the Director of Agriculture for Kunduz
Province Esmat was informed that there were no programs to support the farmers
for this year.
The
infrastructure in Jallucha is poor. Large stretches of roads are damaged; there
is no electricity; no water supply; the postal system is almost non-existant outside Kabul; no phone connections, (although some places are
connected by mobile equipment); and very weak medical facilities and schools.
The
people in this region are mainly of the Hazara tribe with some Uzbeks and Tajiks.
For 20 years they have lived on the run. Many went as refugees to Pakistan where
they spent more than a decade. In the past few years they have slowly returned. During their
absence several Uzbek families from outside occupied their lands and houses.
They used up all the natural resources for
firewood, removed doors, windows and roofing, and did not maintain the mud
houses, leaving the villages in ruins.
Under the World Food Programme a School building with
4 to 6 classrooms is being constructed. Presently the school is run from an old
building and tent. It has a staffing of 1 Head Master and 6 teachers. Six hundred
children (girls
and boys) are enrolled and the school has 2 shifts. Classes for girls and boys
operate separately. There is scope
for another 400 children to join the school but there is not enough space at
this time.
The local people recall that some NGO tried digging a
bore well but abandoned the programme after digging around 30 ft. The issue was
later discussed with another NGO working on drinking water in the Kunduz area.
They explained that these
deep clay alluvial soils have a very low percolation capacity and since there
are no rock bed aquifers for water it is difficult to get potable water from
wells within 70 metres, which is as deep as they can go using the compaction
method. Deeper wells are possible using drilling equipment but this is 3
to 4 times the cost.
The region is surrounded by steep hills. The
environment is in deep crises, totally devoid of vegetation and is subject to
heavy erosion each year from snow and rain. The villages are in
the foothills with mild sloping lands well
suited for agriculture. Two rivers flow not far from the village, the water in the river
is turbid and muddy due to the alluvial clayey soils in the region. Presently
this is the main source of drinking
water. There is no vegetation
along the river, no vegetation/ trees in the village surroundings or on the
hillocks. However, the local people say that deeper in the hills there were
pistachio forests where the villagers would go to gather the nuts for income and
gathering dead wood for firewood. Since their return to the village they have not visited
these forests for fear of live land mines.
The
primary income is from farming with wheat the main crop, sown in November before
the winter. After the snow melts in spring it germinates and is ready by May.
Only around 30% of the privately owned lands are cultivated, the rest are left
fallow since people say they don’t have means (Bullocks, equipment and inputs)
for farming. The soils are rich and there is sufficient moisture after the
winter and with the rains in spring for cultivating winter vegetables such as
radish, beans, cauliflower, carrots, turnips and green leafy vegetables.
Earlier
animal husbandry played a major role in the economy of the rural people. Most
people had herds of sheep and goats, a few cows for meat and milk, and bullocks
for ploughing. Most of the
livestock were taken away during the Taliban regime. Currently only a few
families have one or two sheep or goats, a few chickens, or a donkey for
transportation. Very few have a pair of bullocks for agriculture or a cow. The
livestock are grazed in the hills during spring and summer and stall fed with
wheat straw in winter.
The
main health complaints observed in the area are malaria, respiratory tract
infections, typhoid, tuberculosis, diarrhea, dysentery, worm infection and skin
disease like scabies.
Women
are involved in running the household with responsibilities for cooking,
cleaning, milking the cows/goats and feeding the smaller animals. In their spare
time they stitch, embroider and weave. The level of literacy among women is very
low. Within the village and household they move freely without purdah only with
a scarf on their heads. A normal family meal is usually eaten together with the
male members and children. It was observed in the region that it is a usual
practice of having only one wife; having more than one may be common only among
the richer community and warlords. Informally women move around in the village
meeting relatives and friends. If they leave the village younger women wear
purdah and are escorted by a man.
Esmat,
along with a representative from HOPE International, will be in 100 Mile House
May 31, 2004 at 7 PM at the United Church on Dogwood to explore the idea of the
South Cariboo becoming involved by supporting the rebuilding of the village of Jallucha and the lives of the
people.
Apr 16, 2004
I had a long talk with John King from HOPE International on Thursday about the current status of the women and children in the Jalozai Refugee Camp. As you know from the lack of information over the past few months it seemed very difficult to find out what was actually happening. HOPE International has been frustrated with the lack of information as well.
They have an Afghani volunteer who lives and works in Surrey who has gone to Peshewar to gain a first hand understanding of what is happening. This man, Esmat, is originally from a village in Northern Afghanistan. He will try to find out if there are any women and children from Northern Afghanistan as he will, after Peshewar, travel to his original home to see if there is a chance of rebuilding the village, what the priorities are and, I presume, if any Northern Afghani women and children can be returned.
On the surface it does appear as if the Jalozai camp is depopulating as people find the ability to leave and return to Afghanistan. That is very good news. For those still left in the camp the support you have given and are giving is still getting through to them.
There will be a more informative report when Esmat returns to Canada.
On another front, because I have been frustrated with how little information I have been able to gather for you I have written the Canadian Embassies in Afghanistan and Pakistan. To the Embassy in Afghanistan I asked for an assessment of the factors that would make it possible for the women and children to return to their homes. To the Embassy in Pakistan I simply asked for current information on the Jalozai Refugee Camp. I told both Embassies why we were interested and the efforts over the past two and one half years to support these women and children.
I will be back to you with the new information as soon as I receive it.
I am very sorry but I missed a crucial piece of information from John King. The official project in the Jalozai Camp is finished, but transfer of funds can still go on to maintain the well-being of the people in the camp until the camp is closed.
Jack Witty
Mar 18, 2004
It is very difficult to get anything like a steady stream of information out of the Jalozai Refugee Camp. HOPE International folks stay in touch with their partners in Peshewar but even here it is hard to get back the answers to my questions. Possibly because survival takes precedence over answering questions from far away. We do have a promise of some pictures and replies to the children's letters of last year. In the meantime I have written to our Canadian Ambassadors in both Afghanistan and Pakistan to ask them if they could tell us what is happening in the camp to the women and children. As well I have asked what they believe to be the likely-hood of these women and children returning safely to their communities. News reports are not encouraging as outside the major cities it still seems to be a free-for-all war zone. I want to thank all of you who continue to quietly donate funds to help support the folks in Jalozai Camp. It isn't always easy to keep these women and children in mind when we hear so little and we each have our own daily activities to work through.
Thanks to all for your support and I will be back to you as soon as I have any information.
Jack Witty
