Fundraising for Library in Afghanistan

     A series of about 160 limited edition photographs from Rob Elphinstone's travels to Badakshan province are available for sale to support a library project being developed to promote learning in Afghanistan. Selected examples from this collection can be found at this web site. Prices are $30 per print limited edition of 50 8"x12", $140 framed. 

To purchase prints please contact Rob Elphinstone at:

 mailto:robelphinstone@shaw.ca

Or use the Buy now buttons to purchase using PayPal

Other information and methods to donate to the project can be found at:
http://www.femaid.org/

http://www.acagallery.com

Project description

The Public Library will be situated in the ancient city of Farah, south of Herat, one of Afghanistan's poorest regions. Population estimates vary through lack of official documentation and the sheer difficulty in undertaking any such research, but 200 000 inhabitants make up a conservative estimate. This library will be the first of its kind; furthermore, girls have been attending massively school since the fall of the Taliban. There is a 8000 strong student population in the city. The future library is located near the nearby Melman Nazo girls' school. There are 3000 female pupils there, studying in shifts, many of them former refugees, of which half of them are married and many mothers (marriage takes place quite often at 13 or 14 if not before).

With the help of a committee that includes experts on Islamic law and Afghan custom, careful thought will be going into the choice of works and films to be sent, in order to avoid any adverse reaction, all of which should be catalogued and approved beforehand: fiction and non fiction, world literature, works covering the fields of sciences, history, technology, practical medicine, first aid, childcare, home economics social sciences, gender in an accessible form will be sent, as well as reference works (encyclopaedias, dictionaries and teaching aids). More than a library, this should be a place for exchange and communication, studies and workshops. Through computers and Internet facilities, links with other schools and cultural youth groups worldwide could be established. This library, situated in one of the key areas of Afghanistan could be at the centre of many cultural exchanges between young people and schools East and West. Furthermore, for a society emerging from over a quarter of a century of war, a special area within the library with learning activities designed for young children will contribute to enrich perceptions of childhood generally. There are a number of young mothers and older sisters in the Melman Nazo school so the idea is that they could come to the library with the children they care for. Playing does not exist, because the concept of childhood as a period of discovery, learning and development is inexistent. Just as in pre-Enlightenment Europe, a child is considered just an incomplete, immature non-sexual adult who has to train for future hardship, especially girls. An area devoted to an Early Learning Centre,with creative games and toys will certainly advance the cause of childhood here.

Partnership

The Afghan partner in this venture is Afghan member of parliament for Farah, Malalai Joya. The success of any kind of aid project, however well-intentioned, is dependent on the local partners, especially in such a difficult context. Malalai Joya is without a doubt one of Afghanistan’s most courageous and outspoken members of parliament. She is becoming well known to the English-speaking public through her tour of the US and Canada this year. As a most vocal champion for women’s rights in her country, she enthusiastically hosts host this project and her charity OPAWC, registered in Afghanistan will be the implementing partner in charge in Farah.

Needs and problems

We have established a preliminary list of essentials which could be bought over from France and Canada. Budgets for specific needs are required. These will be communicated upon request.

The Persian and Pashto language books should be bought in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Encyclopaedias, visual books could be donated, with reconditioned computers and other electronic material. We are hoping that schools could be involved in such a project. The French and Canadian sides of the project, FemAid and ACA Gallery are coordinating such donations.

It seems essential to provide for the running costs for the first three years of this project as well as free English courses for the young people who attend the library.

The major problem will be freight, government involvement is essential at this level.

In order for this project to succeed, we need the highest level sponsorship and support.

Project management

This project is the brainchild of FemAid, a registered charity in Paris and ACA Gallery in Toronto. Both Carol Mann and Carol Mark have been to Afghanistan and working in the humanitarian field for many years. Carol Mann is a sociologist, with a PhD on the subject of ‘Traditions and transformations in the life of Afghan women in Pakistani refugee camps’ and has written a paper on the UNESCO website on the ‘woman question’ in Afghanistan ACA Gallery was founded in June 2004 by Carol Mark to create an incubator for art and social change. ACA Gallery is involved in humanitarian grassroots projects and donates a percentage of gallery sales. Creativity and innovation is our lifeline to sustaining communities locally and globally in the everyday. www.acagallery.com

The photographs

A Journey into Afghanistan with Doctors without Borders (MSF)
A presentation by Rob Elphinstone

What is it like to live in one of the most remote parts of Afghanistan during a time of war? In 1985 during the Afghan war with the Soviet Union, Rob Elphinstone had a unique opportunity to accompany a number of doctors and nurses from "Doctors without Borders (MSF)" on one of their journeys into the northeastern Afghan province of Badakshan. The trip included walking for weeks over high altitude passes with
magnificent scenery in the company of a mujahideen caravan. After arriving, the medical team spent their days meeting patients who came on foot, donkey or mule from the surrounding countryside for treatment. Photographs of the local people and culture convey what it is like to live in an underdeveloped country under the constant threat of bombardment as well as to show the kindness and the hospitality accorded to the medical team. The spectacular countryside and colorful people make photography in this region a delight.

A portion of the profits from the sale of these limited edition photographs (series of 50 each) will be donated in support a
public library for young adults and children in Afghanistan.
This is a project organized with Malalai Joya, elected representative in
the parliament of Afghanistan in association with the ACA Gallery,
Toronto and FEMAID, France.