The Acts of Kindness Fund & Learning Program

The ongoing pandemic and current world events have made fundraising a challenge for many non-profit organisations globally.

However, we've reached the funding goal for the first women's centre which will be in the Zebak region of Afghanistan's Badakhshan province. The community feedback for this centre will determine the next steps for the second centre which is scheduled for Ishkashim, a town located in the northeastern part of the Badakhshan province as well.

In this report we want to address our next step as well as answer a few of the most common questions we've received.

First, where is Zebak? It is located at the foot of the Daliz Pass on one of the natural routes that connects it with Tajikistan to the north, and with Pakistan to the south. It is known for its distinctive landscape, scenic pastures, and natural springs. The individuals that live in this area are Ismaili and they have a unique language, Sanglechi-Ishkashmi, as well as culture.

The centre will be located within the district office which will minimize project build-out costs and the library will have a capacity of 150 printed books and some audio resources to facilitate female university graduates access to continuous learning.

Secondly, we have been asked about the literacy rates in Zebak and while exact data per age demographic is difficult to ascertain, the library usage numbers that our local partners have provided is based on the following:

1. There are approximately 100 college and university educated girls in the district.
2. Zebak population is estimated at 8,900 with 47% female.
3. They are estimating 50 book readers per month that include school aged girls, college/university graduates and young adult women. As the library realistically will open in late Q3/early Q4 of 2022 they estimate 150 usages in 2022 with subsequent years increasing.
4. As an additional point, depending on children’s interests (age 8-12) some school subject courses will be designed and provided for approximately 20 interested children in the centre.

Third question is regarding roles of the partners in Afghanistan.  SALEHO, who we introduced in an earlier report, will be responsible for all the deliverables and workshop facilitations for this centre.  Business for Better Society has worked with SALEHO previously when they delivered our adult literacy program in six villages in the Badakhshan province between 2018 and 2019. In addition, the UN Mission in Badakhshan will act in a oversight capacity plus be our key liaison with the local officials when, and if, required.

Probably the most commonly asked question we've received is why start with workshops related to wood usage for cooking in kitchens and heating homes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) data states that “4.2 million people die from exposure to outdoor air pollution, in addition to the 3.8 million whose deaths are linked to household smoke produced by dirty stoves and fuels. The main problem posed by heating and cooking is the smoke, which kills 54,000 Afghans a year. Most of those killed are children under five." The WHO also ranked the problem as one of the worst health risks facing the poor. "More than 95% of Afghanistan’s 30 million people burn solid fuels, such as wood and coal, in their homes, said the World Health Organisation, making it one of the top 10 countries worst-affected by indoor pollution.” On July 26, 2022 the WHO released new data in a briefing entitled "Household Air Pollution and Health" which can be reviewed by clicking here.

Therefore the UN, SALEHO and BBS believe that a strong health education program around practical approaches on smoke detection and how to reduce the consumption of firewood for 200 (female beneficiaries) households can reduce by 5% wood consumption and in conjunction the serious health related problems connected with this issue.

Next step, the roll out begins later this month!

In closing, on behalf of  the women and children that will benefit from this centre, BBS and SALEHO a huge thank you for your support and we’re looking forward to sharing the photos as the centre takes shape!