James Ehlers of Colchester, Lake Champlain International, Inc. and Elk Publishing, Inc. requested crayons, colored pencils, pencils and notebooks for the Afghan children of Sayad Pacha Afghan School. Joseph (Joe) Alcorn who flies MEDEVAC missions out of Khandahar Airfield, a Navy buddy of James', distributed them to the children. Over 500 bags were handed out to the kids and supplies to the teachers. The Colchester-Milton Rotary club donated over $350 worth of supplies for distributiion. Sayad Pacha Afghan School Visit The school is located about 1km from Kandahar Airfield (KAF). It is surrounded by garbage and across from a bazaar. The land surrounding the school still has landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs), but the locals know where these danger areas are and avoid them. One danger to the school is rocket attack by insurgents/Taliban. These attacks are common as KAF is a large target, but the odds of the school being hit are low. School Size There are 520 students (223 girls/297 boys). Staff consists of 17: one principal, two watchmen, two janitors, one depot worker, and eleven teachers (one male/ten female). Classes run from 9-1 pm. Classes consist of only one gender and girls only attend school until end of Level 8. Men are not allowed to take any pictures of girls in the upper levels. Pictures can only be taken by females. All students arrive in the morning and wash their feet prior to going to class. The school bell is old artillery shell casing There are a number of students who are quite poor as they wear dirty clothing and have not bathed in sometime. Also, some students are visibly infected with leishmaniasis (a disease spread by insect bite) that results in scarring skin sores, and other students have mobility and eye conditions. History/Infrastructure The school was built in August 08, and has only been occupied since September 08. There are minimal items in classes. There is little chalk and the chalkboards are only concrete walls painted black. There are no garbage cans, teachers' desks, over-heads or computers in classes. As well, classrooms do not contain maps, pictures, etc. on the walls. At this time there is no electricity, as the school is not connected to an electrical grid. Thus, when winter comes, it will be cold for students. The building has structural problems in that the concrete on the steps has fallen apart (good chance the contractor saved costs and pocketed money). There are no functioning washrooms in the school and students have to use Turkish style toilets (outhouse version) in the old school or go outdoors. The roof of the school is made of mud and has to be redone every year in order to avoid water getting in. Curriculum Levels 1-4: Dari, English, Islamic/Religious Studies, Science, Writing/Drawing, and Math Level 6: As per above, but with addition of Geography and History Level 7: As per above with addition of Arabic, Physics, Pashtun, Physics, and Biology Level 9: As per above with addition of Islamic Studies Levels 10-11: As per above with addition of Citizenship, Computer Science, Geology Exams are held every four months. Gifts are presented at the end of the year for 1st, 2nd and 3rd achievement in courses. Upon completion of Level 11 – boys are presented with certificates (similar to diplomas). Most of the teaching was rote with blackboard work. Outside Projects Donors here at Kandahar Air Field have committed to the following projects: Playground with slides, swings, etc. Basketball Court Soccer Field The outside grounds will need to be cleared of possible landmines/UXOs prior to placement of playground equipment foundations. The school lacks a fence and the principal has indicated that this is a priority for him. Without a fence, people will steal what they can (e.g. the playground). Future Projects Construction of a fence to surround school and its grounds. Funding for the purchase of classroom maps, globes, etc. Funding for the purchase of teacher and student supplies. Submitted by Colchester-Milton Rotary Club, Earl Wertheim, Publicity Chair, 802-651-1690