Bamyan Province: Background

Our newest school projects take place in Bamyan. The district of Bamyan lies in the centre of Afghanistan. Historically, it was strategically placed along the Silk Road caravans which crossed the region trading between the Roman Empire, China, Central and Southern Asia. Bamyan city was a stopping point for many travelers and caravans that were passing the region.

Bamyan is also known for its natural beauty. Band-e Amir lake is another beauty of the city which is in west of Bamyan valley and one of the interesting places for international tourism.

Currently Bamyan city is one of peaceful and secure province in the country. The current governor of the province is Habiba Sarabi, former minister of Women Affairs of Afghanistan's and Afghanistan’s only female governor. She was appointed in 2005.

While the Province has enjoyed relative security and peace in recent years, many critical services to the population remain weak. There is no electricity, including in the provincial capital. Access to health and education remains unpredictable, in particular in rural regions. Mountains cover ninety percent of the province, and the cold, long winter, lasting for six months, brings temperatures of three to twenty degrees Celsius below zero. Transportation facilities are increasing, but sparse.

The main crops are wheat and barley, grown in spring. When crops are damaged by unusually harsh weather, residents herd their livestock down to Ghazni and Maidan Provinces to exchange for food.

Project 1: Katawaie School

As can be seen in the pictures above, the path to education is a real struggle for the children of Katawaie, a village south-west of the town of Bayiman. It takes incredible resolve to study in these conditions.

The Nai Qala Association has built a school for over 400 students (including 180 girls), coming from 12 surrounding villages. Children walk between 10 minutes to 3 hours to reach the site where classes are currently given by 10 teachers (3 women, 7 men). Classes include 1st to 9th grade.

The school was formally registered with the Ministry of Education 8 years ago but funds were not available for the actual construction of building.

The school building work is now complete and the school was inaugurated in November 2012.

 

Project 2: Tagab Barg School

Bamiyan province is famous for its beautiful landscapes. However, studying outside in the open like the girls in Tagab Barg, in Panjab district, is a harsh experience. This region is the province’s third largest district and is know for its agricultural production. Often children spend more time working in the fields than learning and the incentive to send their daughters to school is low when there are neither tables, nor benches to sit on.

The Nai Qala Association plans to build a school for over 500 girls in Tagab Barg, coming from dozens of surrounding villages. The Association has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Education for this project. The Ministry is providing ten teachers and studybooks for the school.

The school was formally registered with the Ministry of Education 10 years ago but no building was ever erected.

The Tagab Barg school was inaugurated in November 2012 and is now hosting its first proud pupils.