Greetings!
On Tuesday the 22nd of March Afghan children (boys and girls) went to school fully expecting their school year to begin. The schools were closed to girls. It was announced that classes would not be provided for girls above the sixth grade, except for those who were enrolled in the Universities. The governor of Herat, however, announced that the schools in that area were open for girls and they should attend. There have been demonstrations in Afghanistan, the extent of which is not known, due the restrictions on the press and the Taliban having made demonstrations illegal. In response to the demonstrations, it was announced that the decision was "temporary". Obviously there is a struggle for power within the Taliban ranks.
Our seven libraries remain open, utilized, as you already know by girls of all ages. Mujeeb wrote letting me know he doesn't think there will be restrictions on private schools and private education. He believes our libraries will therefore be allowed to continue. If so, they may become the sole source of education for these girls outside their home. Time will tell.
Meanwhile I told him to hold off buying the equipment we planned to purchase to open our 8th library inside the building occupied by Ashiana. The money is there. It would have been opened this weekend.
On a more positive note;
Comedian, Robert Bruce, contacted me a few weeks ago and offered to do a benefit performance at the Lesher theater of his show, "The Male Intellect -- An Oxymoron". I met him after attending one of his shows, "The Book of Moron", at the Marine Memorial theater in San Francisco. He's hysterical. I expect men and women will identify with his observations concerning the male intellect.
Tickets can now be purchased for the 7:30 pm Saturday night performance on September 3, 2022. I'm urging everyone to buy now. If sales are strong enough we will be able to add another performance on Friday night the 2nd.
Here's the math. It seats around 300. That's 150 couples. But, if each couple brings a couple that's only 75 couples, or one person who has 300 friends - two who have 150 etc.
We can fill the theater twice. After all we did fund the construction of two schools in Afghanistan ---plus, plus, plus.
Mimi prepared a video that people purchasing tickets will be able to watch. It summarizes what TIE has provided over the past 18 years and the music captures our mission. For me, it recapped the emotions experienced when I was in Afghanistan observing and when I received the photos by email of events where I wasn't. -- I didn't cry, but came close. "Choked up" best describes the state I was in.
These will be two very enjoyable and informative evenings for Trust in Education supporters and those who are likely to be in the future.
Budd
