Great Project Success!

We are proud to announce that the school construction project in Nai Qala has been completed.

As you can see in our updated set of photographs, the contributions of some 500 individual donors have allowed making a world of difference between the harsh study conditions of the past and the dignified environment of today.

Change in every society is a gradual and demanding process. A fundamental element of any change is that it must be generated locally to take root and blossom. The Nai Qala school project was born in Afghanistan, carried forward by a daughter of Afghanistan and implemented by Afghan villagers and construction workers. This means it is a project by Afghans for Afghans. With the pride that is felt comes a strong responsibility: to ensure that this school becomes a modest fountain of knowledge, one that will open little windows in the lives and hearts of the children that will study in it and contribute to a better future for this beautiful country.

The beauty of the project is furthermore that it linked up with many people in other countries around the world, who were moved and motivated to support this endeavour in many different ways and who ultimately made it possible.

This is an opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to the numerous people who supported this project: children and adults, individuals and institutions, schools and media. It has been an honour to work with all of you and to feel your interest, support and motivation.

Today, the children of Nai-Qala feel an immense pride and gratitude.

Objectives and Project Implementation

Our project was to re-build a school in the Afghan village of Nai-Qala and, with this school construction project, to significantly raise the motivation and self-respect of the children, as well as that of their teachers, bringing a positive impact on their lives, families and communities. 

The new school provides improved conditions of study for approximately 1000 students, boys and girls. 

There was a very big need to provide children of Nai-Qala and the surrounding hamlets with a decent and proper environment in which they can complete their primary, secondary and high-school education. 

Of great significance is the fact that many families are now sending their girls to school. Parents expect a lot from the process of education. They have hope for a better future for their children and for better prospects in the lives of their sons and daughters.This is a development that must be encouraged and supported.

The financial project requirements included costs for building materials, equipment, transport and salaries for the daily workers, also covering administrative costs for the project team.

The community of Nai-Qala provided labour and general support and remains responsible for the new buildings and their future maintenance.

This project aimed to be a model for the future development and a source of hope for the region. It was discussed with, and is consistent with the objectives and plans of, the department of Education of the Province of Ghazni.

The Nai-Qala school construction project was carried out in two separate yet complementary phases:

• A first phase which consisted of the construction of the actual school buildings (2 buildings made up of 5 classrooms each and 2 administrative and teachers' rooms each).
• A second phase which consisted of equipping the school with benches, tables, boards and other needed materials, as well as completing the construction with a perimeter wall and toilets.

The project completion was completed in spring 2009. The total budget for the Nai-Qala project was approximately US$ 300,000.