water flows

all change please!

After almost two years I think I owe my supporters a long-overdue update.

Shortly after my last post in December 2010 I took a job at a British charity as the programme officer for Afghanistan and Pakistan. I worked my little heart out on our partnerships and strategy in both countries, all the while the 'nine-to-five' and commuter life in London took over completely until this past July when I moved within the organisation to the Middle East team. Part of my heart remains with Afghanistan and all the friends/allegiances/colleagues there. I am making contact with trusted colleagues who will help me to spend down the funds I am still holding onto since the dollar-a-day fundraising drive in 2009.

Yes, I still plan to spend your money in rural northern Afghanistan--and spend it well. The security situation there has worsened considerbly with the Taliban expanding into Faryab province and beyond, meaning access to some of the more remote villages is difficult even for Afghans who are from those areas. Nonetheless, I am working on this and will continue to report back to you--it is your money that you entrusted me with, afterall.

My work with Palestinians in the Middle East is an indulgence for me--I am privileged to have this job and be able to work with our partners on programming and advocacy that will try to soften the blows being struck by the Israeli government and military onto the Palestinian populations in the West Bank (Area C and East Jerusalem) and Gaza. I have been wanting to do more alongside Palestinians (and left-leaning Israelis) for years, and now I have a paid full-time job doing just that. I want to use this blog to capture my experiences, reflections, frustrations, celebrations and revelations during this journey. I'd be honoured if you follow me and also share views, ideas and/or advice. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is highly emotive and highly political--I know that no matter what I say I will anger and receive criticism. This is good--we need to talk about the conflict and encourage a better understanding of what both sides are experiencing.

From the outset I can say that I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is a massive imbalance of power and resources weighted toward the Israeli government and military that puts the Palestinian government(s) and population at a severe disadvantage in terms of their struggles to be treated equally and share the life opportunities to which they are entitled and to which Israeli citizens are also entitled.

I will keep my employer and partners anonymous, though I know many of you know who I work for. I ask that you respect my intentions and keep this information to yourselves.

Let's see where this blog goes, shall we?

extended viewing!

Good news! 

The 'Reframing Afghanistan' exhibit at Canada House in London has been extended until December 16th.  This means you have an extra couple of weeks to pop into the galleries right next to Trafalgar Square from Monday to Friday, between 10am and 5pm to see the photographs taken by Afghans in Faryab province that are the basis of my PhD research.

Please visit the Canadian High Commissions's website for further information about this and other Afghanistan-related exhibits also presently showing at Canada House.

Here's another image from the exhibit to tempt you...

Reframing Afghanistan: exhibiting experiences of the north

I am very pleased to announce that an exhibit based on the research I conducted in Faryab during 2008 and 2009 is being hosted by the Canadian High Commission in Canada House on Trafalgar Square, London. 

You can find details about the exhibit on the Canadian High Commission's website.

If you are in London, please do stop by and have a look--this Thursday, November 11th is the last day!

This is an important moment for the residents of Faryab, and these photographers in particular.  Their stories, which they so passionately wanted to reach a global audience, are beginning to make their journey, starting with London.  The lives of northern Afghans need to be understood and their battles against poverty, vulnerability and increasing violence need to be addressed responsibly.

If you are in another city and are interested in hosting the Reframing Afghanistan exhibit, please do be in touch.

This exhibit would not have been possible with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in London who so generously provided financial support.  I am also indebted to the very talented and skilled translator, Ms. Sonya Malaborza, who very kindly used her precious moments to herself to translate the exhibition text.  The Canadian High Commission in London has been extremely supportive in kindly hosting the exhibit and some fabulous after-hours events. 

Photo credit:  Seema, Lower Charvak village, Afghanistan 2009.

 

one step forward, three steps back

First, Eid mubarak!  I hope this Eid al-Fitr brings each of you and your loved ones peace and happiness. 

Secondly, and on a more somber note, I believe this to be a dark week for my friends and colleagues in Faryab province. 

While I am very relieved that the four kidnapped men have been released by the Taliban, the terms of their release, however, are very worrying.

Negotiations resulted in the INGO agreeing to withdraw all of its female staff from that particular district.  I am still seeking clarification as to how the negotiation impacted the participation of women in projects.  However, with no female staff to facilitate work, the likelihood of any women wanting or being permitted to participate in projects with only male staff is very small.  

The implications for women in Faryab, and indeed all over Afghanistan, are enormous and overwhelmingly ominous.  Conceding to Taliban demands can only lead to more injustices. 

Just over one year ago, Faryab was a relative bastion of peace.  An illustration of this was my ability to move freely around Maimana and nearby districts on my own, driving my own vehicle.  I did not fear reprisal as I had the backing of village elders who assured me that the Taliban wouldn't infiltrate these areas due to very strong anti-Taliban bond among Uzbeks.  

All of this appears to be changing at a rapid pace.  While I am frustrated that my own work will stall due to these shifts, I am devastated to think of how my female friends and colleagues in Faryab are feeling.  Their freedom to move, learn and work had improved somewhat since 2001, only now, after 9 years of foreign intervention, to fall into a pattern of regression. 

I fear the events of this past week signal the eventual realization of some of our worst fears.  I hope my fear is unfounded.

I once again call upon my Muslim friends to save a prayer, but this time for the women of Faryab and Afghanistan, that they may face no persecution for continuing their courageous battle against the increasing prevalence of misogynous injustices.

ebbs and flows

These are sad days for the residents of Faryab.  Indeed, life in rural Afghanistan, as far as I understand it, is becoming more difficult with each passing week.  Faryab, however, has been a bastion of relative peace during the past few years.  While conflict was sprouting and intensifying in many other provinces, life in Faryab more or less remained the same, or, as some would attest, even improved. 

Those days, I fear, are over.  Or at least gone for now.

In only the most recent of harrowing events, this past week in Faryab saw the kidnapping of four staff from the organization with which I used to work.  A group Taliban fighters stopped their vehicle along the main road in a remote district and kidnapped the four men who identified themselves as INGO staff.  One man who claimed to be a school teacher and the driver were allowed to continue on their way.  This morning's report from a colleague revealed that two of the hostages have been released.  Negotiations between village elders and the captors are ongoing for the remaining two hostages. 

In these most pious days of fervent prayer and reflection, I call upon my Muslim friends to save a prayer not only for these two men, but for all Afghans who are battling for survival while facing the swift deterioriation of their beloved country. 

unfortunate floods of water and Taliban

It has once again been far too long since my last update.  I do, however, have some news to share with you, though most of it is bad.

First, the well we worked so hard to dig for the people of Ahmadabad village is not functioning properly.  Despite my very best attempts at finding the highest quality materials and taking advantage of the best local technical guidance throughout the process, it seems that there is a problem with the casings and piping, resulting in the influx of sand that is blocking water from being pumped upward. 

I have a former colleague of mine in Maimana who is a highly capable engineer looking into the issue with some of his staff.  He and his staff have tried their best to find time to investigate, but with his extremely demanding schedule, and particularly with the growing threat of Taliban in the area, a road trip to Ahmadabad village is not possible for the time being.

This is the second piece of bad news:  The Taliban are taking control of the districts surrounding Maimana, including the Qata Qala area.  I have several reports from colleagues and friends in Faryab and Balkh that the mainly Pashtun Taliban are expanding their membership in the north through recruiting young Uzbek men by offering them up to US$300 per month.  This means that travel is severely restricted in these areas, particularly for staff of international organizations, which all of my colleagues and assistants are.

Rest assured, however, that this is an important matter to me.  I am doing all I can to have this well attended to and ensure that the time, effort and funds that we all poured into this do indeed bear the fruit of safe and adequate access to water in Ahmadabad.  The increase in Taliban activity in this area is very bad news and will severely limit my ability to travel to Maimana to oversee any work.  I am very much aware of the weight of responsibility I bear in ensuring your donated funds continue to be used in an accountable and sustainable manner--I will have to do what I can from London, drawing on my social and professional networks in Faryab to get the work done.

And finally, the flood I mentioned in my previous post:  It took some time, but I managed to get some photographs of the damage to the Qata Qala area surrounding Ahmadabad village.  Some were taken from a helicopter that surveyed the damage shortly after the worst of the rainfall.  Others were taken along the road after the waters receded slightly.  Many thanks to Kanishka for capturing these scenes and taking the time to send them to me.

I am working on learning the extent of the damage to Ahmadabad village, but I have heard from Kanishka that the relief effort for the flood victims has been underway for some weeks.  I hope to have an update for you soon. 

I leave you for now with these scenes from the first days of the flood.  I will hopefully be able to provide you with another update soon, and, inshah allah, with better news.

a long-overdue update...finally

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.

dollar-a-day

a reminder that the dollar-a-day organization's website can be found by clicking here.

bright starts, bright sparks, 2010

what a wonderful way to begin a new year.  i was kindly invited to speak last evening at a holiday dinner held by a group of young dynamos at 650 Governor General Vanier Squadron (a local branch of a popular youth organization in Canada) in Moncton, New Brunswick.  after a perfectly enjoyable meal and a series of Canadian Forces-esque traditions, i was given the floor for a few minutes to share some of my experiences in Afghanistan (click on the 'Dollar-a-Day' link in the sidebar for the blog entries).  i am truly honoured to have participated and would relish the opportunity to do so again.  the cadet programme in Canada is a quality enterprise without which i would not be who and where i am today.  

seeing the reactions on the faces of some of these cadets as i shared a few anecdotes about life in some of the villages in which i work reminded me that what i see and learn about Afghanistan is vastly different from what most people hear about the country.  i was reminded that i am in a very privileged position to be able to do this work and subsequently share my reflections with willing audiences. 

i only hope something i said tonight might spur someone to take action, be it through learning more about Afghanistan and its people, spreading the word about the challenges facing Afghan youth, or even by someday becoming involved in human rights work anywhere around the world. at the very least i hope some of the cadets begin to realize how privileged they are to live in Canada and have quality education, health services and a fantastic youth organization at their disposal. 

the underlying message of the evening:  cadets, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and learn and act as much as you can.  you can lead a meaningful life by constantly learning, having an open mind and sharing your knowledge and goodwill for those who are less fortunate, whoever or wherever they are.

many sincere thanks to the folks at 650 and the air cadet league for making my start to 2010 so meaningful!

loss, legacy, life

Last Thursday I lost a friend, and the women and girls of Afghanistan lost a most precious partner. 

Rosemary Stasek, one of the most inspiring, energetic and compassionate women I have ever met, died on Thursday, September 24th at the age of 46 of heart failure due to complications from the MS she was battling.  Rosemary lived in Kabul with her dear husband, Morne du Preez.  She is also survived by her parents Andrew and Patricia. I am deeply saddened at having lost her so suddenly and so early in both of our lives.

It is impossible to do justice to Rosemary when describing her personality and work. To understand this you would have to have known her.  From the day I met her in Kabul in 2004 I began to learn what a fireball she was.  Confident and fearless in her ideas, opinions and work, Rosemary set the bar high in terms of human rights, sustainable development and social justice.  

A glimpse of who she was and what she did is available on her website.

On this site you can follow the link to her charity, ...a little help. 

My own mourning of her death is manifesting itself in action.  Many of you will know me as quite a 'doer', someone who would rather make something happen than talk about it.  This is no exception.  Through her charity, ...a little help, Rosemary touched and changed the lives of Afghans around the country for the past few years.  She worked on improving the lives Afghan women and girls through supporting education, women's prisons, maternal and child health services, income generation and cultural initiatives around the country.  ...a little help also sponsors women undertaking training courses and post-secondary education in Afghanistan and abroad.

Rosemary's work must continue.  ...a little help must continue to bring positive change to women and girls in the long term. 

So what am I going to do about it?  To be honest, I don't have the answer right now.  And what happens with the charity is not really my decision.  However, I am quite sure that Rosemary would want her work to continue, not allowing all of her efforts, successes and sacrifices simply fade into history. 

I am hoping that over the next few months a group of interested individuals can discuss the charity's future.  While no single person can likely fill the large hole left by her passing, I am reasonably confident that a group of us, situated in our various cities with our various skills and networks, can commit to work together in keeping ...a little help active and effective for some time to come.   

What can you do now?  You can help ensure the survival of Rosemary's charity.  Rather than sending flowers you can make a donation to ...a little help.  Morne is asking that donations be sent in form of a cheque (kindly refrain from using Paypal right now, if possible, please) made out to 'A Little Help US' and posted to:

Andrew and Patricia Stasek, 241 W. Blaine Street, McAdoo, PA 18237, USA

If you are in Afghanistan you can make a transfer to the charity's bank account.  Contact me for relevant details. 

post-election wanderings

E-day has come and gone, yet despite the start of ramadan the election is still on most peoples' lips.  preliminary results are due to be released in two days' time and rumours abound as to whether karzai or abdullah abdullah have won and by how much.  observation missions are releasing post-election statements that vary between vague/toothless and overly praising. 

let's be clear:  these elections were neither free nor fair.  despite the reasonable exercise of democratic rights i witnessed in herat city, the electoral process was fraught with violence, fear, corruption and a severe lack of accountability. reports abound on the less-than-democratic events around the country on election day, and a few of us who have collected anecdotes from around the country are criticizing how international stakeholders can be so blind as to hail the elections as a success.

while many more polling stations were able to open than generally anticipated, it is naive to assume that what transpired outside and inside these polling stations resembled democracy. fear of violence and reprisal kept most of the electorate at home in the south of the country, with some estimates indicating an 8% voter turnout in that region. some of those who did risk their lives to come out to vote faced campaigning and intimidation.   even in the quiet city of herat i witnessed arguments among election officials and candidate agents over allegations of on-site campaigning and intimidation.  so, free?  it seems not.

what is fair about female candidates receiving threatening phone calls or feeling in danger while campaigning?  what is fair about men and women in the remote rural areas not having comparable access to voter education programmes so that when someone tries to buy their voter cards to tell them to whom to vote they have enough confidence and knowledge to resist and protect their democratic rights?

at least there is good news for those afraid of losing a digit to the taliban:  the ink, evidence of their participation, could be made to disappear from their finger with a bit of bleach, thus saving them from potential prosecution.

herat, i think

sorry, i have no photos to post as yet.  but i know you do not visit this blog purely for the visual stimulation, so, here you go.

i am in herat now.  at least, i think this is herat.  actually, i'm not even sure this is afghanistan.  i may have been re-directed without my knowledge and transplanted into another country where paranoia supersedes reason and where all the foreigners i interact with are flanked with private security details hovering but a few feet away. 

this is not my experience of afghanistan.  this is not the afghanistan i have come to know and love over the past years.  i have ejected myself from what is to me a meaningful and passionate engagement with this country and dived into a detached and frighteningly surreal reality where the people with whom i respect, admire and work alongside have become threats, or so i am lead to believe. 

mine is an alternate reality that will require reluctant adjustment.  maybe my role here can be meaningful in some way, but at this point i need some serious convincing to believe so. 

i realized last evening that i do not want to be important. i am much happier, much more myself, when i can be an average person without anything particularly important or controversial to do, when i can live a relatively normal, free life in this country. 

shifting perspectives

salaam from Kabul.

this is the first time in a while that i post a blog entry not connected to the dollar-a-day campaign.  i am back in Afghanistan, having arrived today, to take on an entirely different role as an election observer. 

despite the doubts and heavy skepticism i carry with me about my role in the grand elections machine, i am excited to see part of Afghanistan through this lens.  rather than being an independent researcher with my own agenda and the ability to self-authorize pretty much any movements, i am now being tracked, watched, monitored, guided and restricted by a dedicated team of security experts and experienced observation personnel.  let the fun begin...

i am deploying to Herat, which is particularly special for me as i have long wanted to visit and learn more about this unique town and its history.

and so i will do my best to update, inform and entertain you during the coming weeks with some blog postings from Kabul and Herat.

Akrotiri, roles

Here I am, sitting in Cyprus on British sovereign land.  A strange position to be in, no doubt.  The base and sovereign land here at Akrotiri represents the last vestiges of the British Empire, and it is historically fascinating to be using the facilities of a base from one of the last posts of the empire.

I cannot share with you any details about my work here, but I can share with you some of my reflections on my fleeting return to military 'life', as it progresses over the next 7 days.  I also cannot take photos at any point here, so I'm afraid you'll have to be happy with my rich textual description, in so far as I am able/permitted to provide this description. In sum, the next couple of blog entries may be a it dry.

moving along

This is a brief post to let you all know that i am heading to Cyrpus tomorrow for approximately 2 weeks.  That's right--just as I am getting re-settled in London, I am hitting the road once again.  This trip is part of my consultancy contract with the UK's Stabilisation Unit.  We are working on a civilian-military exercise to draw out lessons to be learned and to advise the UK government on cross-government post-conflict stabilisation planning. 

Though I cannot provide much detail on exactly what we are doing, I will aim to bring you some tidbits about my life in Akrotiri over the next 12 days.  At the very least, I hope to enjoy some of the warm and sunny weather, if not a beach or two on occasion.