We are excited to share the success of our school in helping Afghanistan widows and orphans. We went back to our students and interviewed how they were doing with the training and sewing machines they received. Exception of one student, everyone else started their own sewing business at home making money for themselves for the first time.  That itself was remarkable.

The national average income for adult males is $30 a month in Afghanistan, however, our goal was to help them generate $60 a month. Hear this!  We are proud to share that our students are earning $60 and MORE.  Do you hear me? Can you feel the excitement in us?  Some graduates are even making $199 a month. When we got this report back from Dr. Rafi, we were absolutely thrilled and so happy for them.

Should we continue to help them? What do you think? If you can feel the excitement in our heart, why don’t you join us making the difference in these people’s lives.

1. Class 1: The Grand Opening of our Vocational School for Afghan Widows and Orphans.  October 11, 2010 – December 11, 2010

We located our first class just outside of the city of Jalalabad and started with 5 students as a pilot class. Dr. Rafi and the rest of the village were excited. They even prepared a grand opening RIBBON ceremony inviting village elders.  Pictures of the day excited all of us at HEMEFund and our supporters.  Rest of the class went really well.

Our plan is not to build a fancy school spending month and lots of money in construction but to establish as many small satellite schools like this one all over Afghanistan to effectively reach out to the ones who really need our help. Two teachers we hired did an excellent work teaching our students in 4 subjects: How to read and write Pashto, How to perform simple math, Hygiene, and Sewing/Embroidery. On the graduation day, everyone receives a brand new sewing machine.

You are welcome to visit our PICTURE ALBUMS to view many more pictures of our exciting school work.

2. Class 2: Vocational School for Afghan Widows and Orphans. December 13, 2010 ~ March 13, 2011

We have increased the number of our students to 8 this time.  However in the middle of the course, the village that our school is located was invaded by the Taliban, so we relocated our school to a nearby city. Our teachers felt the danger not only for themselves but also for the students. Many followed us to the new location, but some were lost.  However, we managed to maintain the number to 8 students.

CLICK HERE to view many more PICTURES of 2nd class activities.

 

 

3. Class 3: Vocational School for Afghan Widows and Orphans.  March 14, 2010 ~ May 14, 2011

Our students are really doing well. Teachers are excited to report us the progress of our student in class.  According a study done, 76% of Afghanistan is illiterate. This makes our students belonging to 24% elite class in entire Afghanistan. In the course of two months, our students suddenly belong to a group of educated member.  We are so proud of our student.

One of our students sent us a video reading off of a thank you letter she wrote. These are the women who could not read or write prior to our school.  This is exciting, isn’t it?  Now if more opportunities are given to them, then they can further their education and advanced trainings to further develop their future.  We need to help them educate. This is the best  gift we can give to these women.

We now have 10 students in class.

You may to to our PICTURE ALBUM to view more amazing pictures of our 3rd Class students.

4. Class 4: Vocational School for Afghan Widows and Orphans.   May 15, 2010 ~ July 15, 2011

One of the things our teachers complain to Dr. Rafi that he shared with us is that people are knocking on teacher’s doors at nights to ask if they can join the school.  Teachers have to ask them to come back in daylights.  LOL..  They have been asking us to increase the number of students to 15 and we really should.  I asked them if we could increase to 20, but they responded 15 is the good number that they can handle at this time.

What I am hoping in near future is the have morning and evening class of 15 ~ 20 students in each school year round in about 50 different locations. This will require a lot of money and we are constantly seeking more sponsors. If you are one of them, please do not hesitate to contact us, please.  Thanks for your support.

View our Class 4 PICTURES HERE.

5. Class 5: Vocational School for Afghan Widows and Orphans.   November 8, 2010 ~ January 8, 2012

We had a bit of financial challenge and had a gap of about 4 months. Nonetheless our teachers were paid. They needed that break though. They worked hard for about a year with us without any vacation.  I am sure they liked the idea of ‘paid-vacation.’ LOL….

Again our students performed really well in class.  They have waited long to have have our school to be re-opened and we are very glad we did.  Two of our staff, Melvyn and Dr. Powers are working on grants to not only continue but to expend our vocational school projects in Afghanistan.

You will be excited to view our Class 5 PICTURES that Dr. Rafi took with his brand new camera. LOL..

6. Class 6: Vocational School for Afghan Widows and Orphans.   January 9, 2010 ~ March 8, 2012

This is our current class.  Starting class 5, all the pictures taken were outside the classrooms, so we asked Dr. Rafi why.  Dr. Rafi said he had the same question and the teachers told him that they conducted classes outside because they don’t have electricity inside and pictures do not come out bright enough.  We understood and thanked her for her thoughtfulness.

This is the reality of Afghanistan. Most of them do not have electricity. We bought them gasoline and a small generator to run a fan during hot Summer days.  Dr. Rafi told me that even in his house, they have limited electricity.  This is why we purchase hand operated sewing machines for them.

Here are Class 6 PICTURES you can view.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP US EDUCATE AND TRAIN THESE AFGHAN WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.  BE OUR SPONSORS AND SAVE THESE PEOPLE’S LIVES!