Trust In Education

Education when combined with health care and economic development programs provide immediate relief and are the solutions to ending cyclical poverty. All programs are implemented in partnership with the community, thereby empowering Afghan communities with control over their lives.

Trust in Education (TIE) is a grass roots, non-profit organization founded in May 2003 to provide health care, education and economic development programs in Afghanistan. An equal amount of time is devoted to educating Americans about our involvement in Afghanistan, past, present and future. TIE connects American communities and Afghan villages. Through these exchanges everyone discovers that we share more in common than not and experience the joy of making a substantial and long lasting difference in the lives of thousands.

REBUILDING AFGHANISTAN
TIE first provided funding to build a secular school for boys and girls in Lalander, Afghanistan that opened in March, 2005. “Their school” is within a 15-minute walk from home, instead of the three hours it once took to reach schools in Kabul. In March 2006, adult education courses were added thereby enabling both young and old to learn. TIE also funds classes in homes, in response to threats and actions taken by the Taliban. If we provide a safe forum they will come.
In home classes are offered during the winter when the schools are closed. Their appetite for education is insatiable.

ON THE ROAD TO SELF RELIANCE

A 100 pound bag of fertilizer and a bag of onion seeds provided by TIE are on their way home. Their load is so much heavier than ours. We lighten theirs.

The solution to starvation is simple. It's food. In an ongoing effort to increase the production of food in Afghanistan, TIE has provided the following:

a. A $19,600 irrigation system that restored 150 acrea of farmland to productivity.

b. 23,981 fruit trees that were distributed to over 250 farming familes.

c. Superior seeds and fertilizer that produce "bigger and better" vegetables.

d. Training seminars that improve farming techniques. Whatever we and they learn is shared with adjoining villages.

men with seeds

TIE provides farmers with a viable alternative to producing opium. When given the choice, most grow fruits and vegetables.

One of many sheep funded with a microcredit loan from TIE.

Budd and Rahmanuddin Nemati, a former resident of Lalander, now living in Contra Costa County, California, force a photo opportunity with a sheep purchased with one of TIE’s interest free micro credit loans.

Over 200 micro credit loans have been made. Very little caital can launch an entreprenuer and put him on the road to economic freedom.

The decisions of who to loan and for what purposes are made following consultation with village leaders. In essence the village is gaining a revolving credit line with which the villagers can work their way out of poverty.

EXPANDING AWARENESS WITHIN AND BEYOND OUR COMMUNITY

Equally important to providing educational opportunities for Afghan children and adults is educating Americans about Afghanistan. To that end Trust In Education has undertaken the following:

Over 100 speaking engagements have been arranged for numerous civic groups and schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Presently our mantra is “Have forum – Will travel.”
“Change for Change” drives have been held in Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Los Altos, and Piedmont, California. Over 750,000 coins have been collected. Regular and periodic reports are made at the schools to inform our children how “their” change and lemonade stand profits are making a difference.

Two girls from Corte Madera school practice the message delivered in Afghanistan in lieu of a handshake.

"Please Mr. Postman look and see - is there a letter in your bag for me"

TIE delivers letters, messages and art between Afghan and American children. We love being the messenger!

Education is the key that unlocks all doors.
Join us in delivering education to Afghans who have had no access for too long.

For more information, please contact:

Trust In Education
P.O. Box 936
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 299-2010

www.trustineducation.org