Greetings!   

Last August three villages in Lalander valley ask me whether we would support classes for girls taught in homes. We’d provided classes for girls in homes before but I decided it was time to say no. I countered by offering to support classes for girls if taught in the school. It was a risky no. They could have said never mind. One of the three villages did. A few weeks and several emails later two classes for girls opened at the school, sixty students in all. 

The school closed in December for the winter break. The classes were then taught in the teachers’ homes. 

Three weeks ago I asked Maiwand Nemati, to enlist a couple of parents, and the leader of the shura (village council) to meet with the head of the ministry of education in that area. They did. Four days ago I received the following email from Maiwand(in the yellow shirt):

“Hi,
Today I have met head of education at Char Asyab. I taken head of big Shura "Kafel Nazar", principal of school and two villagers with me after, a long discussion with him the head of education first thanks from you to support Lalander girls.
He said majority of our school teachers not received Dec. and Jan. salary yet. Finally they agree about girls to school. but he said we can't finance the teachers salary. IF TIE finance them it be good. He want list of students from both classes and a copy of identity card of each student. Before school starting the girls taking exam and find out which one pass to what grades.  
He said morning time is for boys and we haven't extra class for girls therefore, afternoon is good for girls students. At the end he requesting from TIE to pay for school guard if possible. He only works in morning when boys classes are taught. 
They thanked the TIE office and myself and officially gave me a letter of gratitude."
He got in
‌
So did he
On March 10th the girls will take an exam to determine what grade they will be in. They will be in school when it opens under the direction and control of the Ministry of Education.
This is a triple with bases loaded hit in the last inning, but not a home run. A home run will be when the Ministry of Education includes classes for girls as part of its budget for the valley.

Frankly, I expected that the Ministry of Education hadn't budgeted funds for classes for girls in the area. It never had before. I also wasn’t surprised to learn its teachers hadn’t been paid for two months. That has happened before.  

Last August was a foot in the door. Now girls are fully inside, thanks to their parents, the shura and TIE donors. Gender equality is a long way away but the girls pictured above are out of the house and going to school. Some bring their little brothers. How much will this cost? We’re negotiating. You will be astounded by how little it will. 

The greatest rewards in life come from the impact we have on the lives of others

Budd

ps You can now reserve a seat at the talk that will be given on April 8th in the Lafayette library at 7 pm. "Reversing the trend from Narcissism to Compassion"
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