First, sincere apologies for falling off the blogging radar for so long. Life being what it is, mine took some twists and turns in the latter half of last year that left me reconfiguring and rebalancing for some time. Now, the demands of the final months of a PhD are mounting their own challenge, to say the least.
Nevertheless, I am pleased to finally be back online to provide you with an update about the dollar-a-day initiative. I am aware that many of you are likely becoming more concerned about where the funds you so generously donated have gone. Please do not worry...I am nothing if not accountable. Every unspent penny is still with me, sitting tight waiting to be used for a village in Faryab. I have not returned to Afghanistan since my stint during the elections in August, and so apart from keeping up to speed on how the projects in Ahmadabad have been impacting daily life, I have not undertaken any other project activities. I am in discussions with my Afghan colleague to decide what the next move should be. Current options include continuing some work in Ahmadabad village and/or locating another vulnerable village where no one else is working to see if they would agree to work with us.
I have news from Maimana this morning that about three weeks ago there was a very large flood in the Qata Qala area that has also impacted Ahmadabad village. Approximately 300 homes were destroyed. Well-digging and shelter reconstruction projects are being funded by UNOCHA and are undergoing as I understand the situation. I have asked for photographs of the damage and hopefully they will follow soon.
So, stay tuned for some updates on my own work and that being undertaken by others in Faryab province. More to follow soon.
