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Once again I'm in Bigfork, Montana, among the deer, bears and overtly friendly. The pace of life is slower, the skies and landscape breathtaking, and the portions served at restaurants are impossible to consume. My refrigerator runneth over with take out boxes, most with mold.
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Mohammed Ahadi
6732 miles from home
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I had the pleasure this past weekend of hosting, Mohammed Ahadi, a colonel in the Afghan army, who is attending the National Defense University's International Fellows program in Washington, DC. He along with fifty-three high ranking soldiers from around the world are participating in this year's educational program that includes learning about life in the United States. They spend three days in Bigfork.
They visit Glacier National Park, go river rafting, ride horses, enjoy a steak fry in the mountains, and spend one evening with a local host. Little wonder year after year they vote this stay the best.
Upon learning of the work TIE has done and continues to do in Afghanistan Mohammed asked me to convey how appreciative he is, particularly of our contribution to education. He recognizes, as do we, that education is the solution to almost everything.
Mohammed works in the supply department in Afghanistan's Department of Defense. Their greatest need is helicopters and not primarily for the reason I first thought. They "need more helicopters for rescue missions." The inability to rescue wounded soldiers is adversely effecting morale and retention.
Mohammed wants Americans to know that notwithstanding news reports things are "getting better" and the Taliban are "not winning". The reality is, the solution to peace in Afghanistan lies in Pakistan. As long as the Taliban can recruit, train, and are harbored inside Pakistan, there will be fighting in Afghanistan. That is, unless there is a negotiated peace agreement between the central government and the Taliban.
To that end two recent positive events have occurred. First, the Taliban and the Afghan government agreed to a cease fire during Ramadan. The government proposed ten days. The Taliban agreed to three. Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan's President, proposed an additional 10 day cease fire during Eid- al Adha, the end of August. The Taliban haven't responded.
In addition to the cease fire, the United States recently met with the Taliban in Qatar without representatives from the Afghan government being present. Until then the United States had insisted on the Taliban meeting with the Afghan government. While meeting directly with the Taliban was controversial, President Ghani's spokesperson responded as follows;
"The government of Afghanistan welcomes every effort which supports the peace process under the auspices of the government. We appreciate help and support from any side that can facilitate the peace process."
The most recent development in our war against poverty is pictured below. We added one more computer library bringing the total to eight.
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They're not heavy. They support our future.
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Note the girl/boy ratio - Our utilization records indicate that the libraries are used 60% by girls and 40% by boys. The enrollment in the public schools is just the opposite, 60% boys - 40% girls.
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We're searching for at least one more library location. Why?
They are inexpensive to establish (less than $6,000) and support ($500 - $600 a month) and utilized by 60 - 100 children/day per library. We select teachers who provide english and math classes and load the educational software into the computers.
Essentially, we are no longer relying on or beholden to anyone but ourselves and dollar for dollar the computer libraries provide the greatest return. Equally important, the libraries are located inside homes in villages and have proven over several years to be safe!!
Well it's time to play pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the United States. Check it out on youtube, then play. Beware, it's addictive.
Budd
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