Budd’s Recent Trip to Afghanistan

Budd MacKenzie, founder of TIE, spent two eventful weeks in Afghanistan last spring visiting the village. Thanks to the astute observation of Lafayette school children, who, on first seeing photos of the school asked Budd “Where are the swings”, the village’s first swing set was installed. However, the children had to wait their turn behind some “older kids”. TIE also provided a see saw, monkey bars, a slide, and volleyball court.

Budd’s first stop was to inspect the recently completed $20,000 irrigation system funded by TIE. The system restored 150 acres of fallow farmland into production. He then checked on the 12,891 fruit trees that had been planted by over 200 farmers. These trees will bear fruit in three to four years and are a testament to the villagers’ determination not to rely on opium to escape from poverty.

While in Lalander, Budd collected several loans made to the villagers the previous year and issued new loans as part of TIE’s on-going micro credit loan program. Over 140 micro credit loans totaling more than $30,000 have been made to men and women for entrepreneurial enterprises. This is one of the many ways TIE assists the villagers in their quest for self sufficiency.

In addition to the new swing set, Budd and the villagers added a library to the school so that the children and adults could have better access to reading materials. And, at the villagers’ request, two English language courses for adults and children were added to the curriculum in April 2006.

The villagers volunteered to build two bridges and TIE supplied the materials. Families can now cross the river at two new locations without wading through very cold and fast running water. The total cost for the two bridges was $450.

Budd was particularly encouraged by changes made in the village’s government. Read Budd’s article “From the Trenches” to learn about how more villagers, including women, are beginning to participate in the decision making process.