Ongoing Projects
Highlights of Ongoing Projects in the Northern Region
Water Wells
In 2008, a water well drilling project is providing access to clean water by drilling 30 water wells in 20 different villages, following criteria as set forth by UNICEF in selecting villages. Each water well and hand pump is placed in a village to serve 50 families, potentially serving an estimate of 350 people per water well.
Tuberculosis DOTS
In 2008, GP Afghanistan will be operating four clinics and two full-time teams of trained local health workers to treat tuberculosis patients in Saripul Province, using the DOTS approach. DOTS is a form of tuberculosis therapy where victims of active tuberculosis who have no nearby government health facility are provided with the necessary medicines and support to cure their disease using an eight-month treatment regimen. DOTS is the World Health Organization recommended treatment of choice for tuberculosis, which is the second largest public health problem in Afghanistan.
Winter Relief
The winter of 2007-2008 was the coldest winter in northern Afghanistan in 30 years. Heavy snows and prolonged freezing temperatures were devastating for many families. GP Afghanistan is distributing wheat flour, rice, oil, and beans to approximately 370 families in the Sheberghan area of Jawzjan Province. Furthermore, wheat flour, rice, oil, and beans are being distributed to approximately 175 families in Saripul Province.
Drought Relief
GP Afghanistan is distributing food to 500 families in Mazar-I-Sharif who have been affected by poor crops in the area and rapidly rising food costs.
Community Health Education
A team of trained local health education workers is focusing on one large village outside Mazar-I-Sharif, teaching basic health information to both men and women in the village. Approximately 70 families in the village are being reached by this training. The training includes health practices (such as hand washing, food storage, and protection from flies). For the village women, the training also includes childbirth life-saving skills. This training is essential as the estimated maternal mortality rate for Afghan women is 1600 maternal deaths for 100,000 live births, the second-worst rate in the world. Moreover, Afghanistan?s infant-mortality rate is 154 deaths per 1000 live births, the third-worst rate in the world.
Women Prisoners
Women at the prison in Mazar-I-Sharif are being given weekly training in basic hygiene, women?s health, first aid, and nutrition. They are also assisted with medical supplies and needed medicines. In addition, GP Afghanistan is repairing some facilities at the women?s prison, repairing ceilings and constructing a bathroom.
Computer Training
GP Afghanistan offers high-quality and highly-subsidized computer training courses, taught by trained local teachers, in the city of Sheberghan. Many young people in Afghanistan are eager to gain computer skills in order to find work or pursue higher education. In 2008, the courses offered at the computer center are expected to reach a total attendance of over 1500 students.
Children?s Encyclopedia
GP Afghanistan is distributing over 1000 copies of the Dari version of the Kingfisher Children?s World Encyclopedia, translated and printed by GP. These books are being distributed to schools in Balkh Province, Jawzjan Province, and Saripul Province.
Library
The GP office in Sheberghan operates a free public library containing a large number of books in English and in Dari.
Highlights of Ongoing Projects in the Western Region
Tuberculosis DOTS
In 2008, GP Afghanistan will be treating tuberculosis patients in eleven districts in the Western region, using the DOTS approach. In districts where this program has been operating for the last two years the detection rate of tuberculosis patients is well above 70% and the cure rate for treated patients above 85%. This project is expected to benefit up to 50,000 individuals. DOTS is a form of tuberculosis therapy where victims of active tuberculosis who have no nearby government health facility are provided with the necessary medicines and support to cure their disease using an eight-month treatment regimen. DOTS is the World Health Organization recommended treatment of choice for tuberculosis, which is the second largest public health problem in Afghanistan.
Food for Homeless Families
GP Afghanistan is providing food supplements of rice and oil for 6 months to 104 families in Ghor Province, families who are currently homeless due to an ongoing land dispute.
Winter Relief
The winter of 2007-2008 was the coldest winter in Afghanistan in 30 years. Due to heavy snows and prolonged freezing temperatures, Ghor Province found itself isolated by closed roads, and the area began to run low on food supplies. GP Afghanistan provided emergency winter funding in a ?Cash for Work Project? which resulted in the clearing of snow from the main passes into and out of Chaghcharan. This project?s budget of approximately $40,000 also injected needed cash into a devastated community.
Training for Ghor Provincial Hospital
GP Afghanistan is helping provide training and collaboration in surgical patient care for Ghor Provincial Hospital.
English and Computer Classes
The GP office in Chaghcharan offers free courses in English and computer skills to a total of over 400 students per year.
Community Development
This project coaches three separate villages in Herat Province in extensive, collaborative, and sustainable community development work, including basic education, community sponsored construction, community governance, and conflict resolution. This project is based on a three-year relationship with each village and has the potential to impact over 6000 families.
University Computer Lab
GP Afghanistan is partnering with the Department of Literature of Herat University to provide a computer lab with internet access for student use.
Highlights of Ongoing Projects in the Central Region
Park and Horticulture Training Center
The Bamian Park and Horticulture Training Center is now under construction. The center is slated to open during the summer of 2008 and will continue to help change the lives of widows, orphans, war-disabled men and other returning refugees who have settled near its location. The center is designed to provide horticulture training, create jobs, introduce new saleable fruits and vegetables, and improve health and nutrition. It will touch the lives of the communities in which it is located and provide stable, long-term jobs. The horticulture staff will also manage and run the park. Visiting families and tourists can enjoy the park?s six shops, have lunch or supper in the park restaurant and explore the fascinating ruins in nearby Shar-e-Zohak (the ?red fort?). This park and training center will boost tourism in the Bamian Valley for years to come.
Agro-Forestry Project
Farming is the main source of income for those who live in the Bamian valley. The GP Agro-Forestry Program reaches out to farmers all over the valley. Demonstration plots for education and distribution have served as an example to the almost 96,000 inhabitants of the valley. The Agro-Forestry program offers training and education in vegetable propagation, reforestation, beekeeping, alternate crop production and horticulture. After successful demonstration of adaptability for Bamian?s short-cold growing season, favorable seed and plant stock have been and are being made available to the local population.
Higher Education
GP Afghanistan is providing education for students in Bamian by providing some teachers for area schools and communities, for Bamian University and for the Teacher?s Training College. This education includes English, ethics, and community service. GP is also involved in heading up peace workshops that bring together students of different ethnic backgrounds.
