Building peace, one school at a time

Wardak Province School

School for the village of Sheik Yasin, Wardak Province, Afghanistan

Sheik Yasin is a rural district located 100 kilometers southwest of Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul. The school will be built in the village of Sheik Yasin, on land that was donated by Mr. Ehsan Mayar, co-founder of Afghanistan's Rotary Club. The dimension of the land is 100 X 50 meters. It is surrounded by Ali Khani to the east Guli, Zarif to the north, and Nora Khail and Zarbagh to the west. The villages are each two kilometers apart. The population of the area is about 1400. The planned school will serve a number of students who are now studying in the shade of trees or in local mosques.

The district economy is 95% agricultural, with wheat and fruits being the main crops. There has been a severe four-year drought. The irrigation system collapsed during a civil war, when Wardak was on the front line between different resistance groups. In 2003 Wardak experienced unprecedented rainfall, and suffered a severe flood on July 4 which destroyed 100 hectares of wheat crops.

The school will serve 400 elementary through high school girls, and 600 boys. Girls didn't have any schooling until the fall of the Taliban. The students are currently served by 12 male teachers and eight female teachers; they have not received any pay for two years. Ideally, 10 more teachers would serve the new school. An initial hiring of six female teachers would start the school.

The construction of the school would employ local builders, and support local suppliers and trucking firms. A generator would be needed to produce electricity, because there is none in the village. Used desks will be donated and shipped from the United States.

The salary for teachers is $50 a month, and is paid through the Ministry of Education. Because of Afghanistan's poor economy, they are not paid on a regular basis. Salaries will also be needed for a janitor, groundskeeper, and security guard.

P.E.C.A.'s partners in this project are Afghans4Tomorrow; the Duddley Family; the Episcopal Diocese of New York City; the Afghanistan Foundation; Partners for Peace in Afghanistan; the Boulder, CO, chapter of the United Nations Association; and various other individuals and organizatons.