Karzai and Kids

I took this picture of Afghan President Karzai in my travels... it's a huge poster attached to a non descript building. I thought it depicted the spirit of the Afghan people.

Asa came into work the other day and just had to share her joy about her President. She told me he had been on television the night before and cried before his people about the poor education system in Afghanistan. She was obviously deeply touched by both his open display of emotion as well as his words. Unfortunately, I do not have education statistics to share with you, but know the educational system in this country is abysmal. Destroying this critical national program was probably the Taliban's greatest success. And unfortunately, the Taliban continue in their campaign to keep the Afghan people ignorant and those who are educated, controlled under the threat of death. One thing I am starting to observe here is that too many of the well educated Afghans are emigrating/escaping out for a better future for themselves and their children.

Thanks to my sister Mauria and friend Judy for their wise insights into my $100 escape/evade plan. Unfortunately Mauria, I'm not convinced the airless/flatless tires for our many company vehicles is a good option. And Judy, no I do not carry a gun and even if allowed, I would not. The seagull analogy was quite insightful though and will be taken into consideration.

New Meaning to Bad Traffic

Hey, I just noticed that if you look in the rear view mirror you can see me taking a picture of the bad traffic... cool.

Anyway, traffic to and from the Ministry of late seems to have gotten a lot worse. Given the many local entrepeneurs around Kabul, they've devised an ingenious new career opportunity. One guy casually walks up to the side of your vehicle and uses an ice pick to puncture your tire. That is, if you look like you have something of value which Americans or international folks tend to do. So, the tire puncturing guy's buddies wait down the road a few yards, now remember the traffic is at a standstill, and await their prey... visualize hunters in a deer stand. After traveling those few yards, the driver of the vehicle (usually Afghan) gets out of the vehicle to check what appears to be a flat tire. In the meantime, the buddies force their way into the vehicle and rapidly steal anything of value in sight (they also know all our hiding spaces)... computers and tools seem to be their favorite although briefcases are also a lucrative target. This actually happened to a couple of buddies of mine... scared the livin' .... out of them to say the least. Our USEmbassy warns that kidnapping is also a threat, especially if nothing of value is readily available.


I've now analyzed this threat and have a counterattack, yup all that USAF training is finally coming in handy. So here's the plan: I keep at least $100 dollars at the ready so if we do run into these guys I plan to throw it in the air and squeal (I know how to squeal now that I've experienced an Afghan eyebrow job) FREE AMERICAN DOLLARS!!!!! I'm hoping they'll prefer the dollars over me. Comments or further guidance from anyone is most welcome.


I've been very busy lately on a number of projects so I have found writing part of the blog in the evening is shaving some time off my morning routine. I think it's working, but now tired and have to go to bed. I'll edit and send in the morning. It's now morning, I'm editing and sending.


An extra big blog hug out to my Hebert Family who recently lost their beloved Little Andy in a most tragic incident. Know my heart is with you in this most sad of time.

Working Conditions

What you see is literally the size of our shared office at the international community base. Labor laws would outlaw these conditions in the states :-} and Asa wasn't there that day which just adds to the joy. This tiny office in the "Minuteman House" house includes office mates Rick and Scott as well as their interpretors... we call ourselves THE MINUTEMEN which drives the boss crazy but we have a lot of fun with it. As you can see from my position in the back, it's not fun if I need to step out of the office as all must adjust positions. And at times, we're all cramming on projects so movement by one causes aggravation by all. And then there are the office meetings when Rick or Scott have somebody stop by to discuss an issue... it just ain't pretty. But, we do tend to have fun and I learn a whole lot from all these guys.

Fortunately for me, my wonderful sister Mauria recently sent me an IPod loaded with all my classical music which I use as white noise when cramming on a staff paper. It helps tremendously.

Then there's my office in the Afghan Ministry... much more spacious and comfortable. Big drawback is the incredibly gross bathrooms which become necessary but only under extreme conditions. Another blog on that another day.

hi ho hi ho, it's off ...

Baad Tradition

I am now involved in helping develop Family Response Units (FRUs), specially trained police units formed to deal with domestic violence (spousal and child abuse). To say building and implementing a Domestic Violence program in Afghanistan is posing a challenge is a gross understatement. However, the international community through various Gender Affairs agencies as well as various Afghan groups are putting forth a valiant effort and I'm quite honored to be involved. However, it's not a challenge I look forward to working. FYI: I wrote my master's degree thesis on police response to domestic violence, so have some background/knowledge on the issue.

While reading a program document on the FRUs, I found a listing of what legally constituted spousal and child abuse and came upon the term Baad. I asked Asa what Baad was. Never would have imagined this one, it is not good. Baad is a payment of one family to another when a member of one family commits a grave offense against a member the other. To prevent retribution (killings), the families will negotiate a BAAD... when the offending family gives away a daughter in payment to protect other members of the family.

Asa told me Baad has been a common practice to resolve family disputes in Afghanistan for many years. Remember, a lot of these families have close to nothing and a daughter can be considered an expendable commodity. She has heard of girls as young as 6 years old being given to older men in a Baad who in turn marry these young girls. The Afghans do not believe in premarital sex and therefore must marry and remember (from a previous blog) that men are allowed up to four wives. Needless to say because this girl comes from a family who committed a grave offense to given family, she is not treated well.

I then asked Asa if the family of the girl had an alternative, she stated "of course" there are laws in Afghanistan now and the family could resolve the conflict through the police and court systems. She also said Baad is now rarely found in Kabul (the capital) but still common out in the provinces (countryside). I asked what her father would do if he found himself in a situation that traditionally called for a Baad, this got her goat but I didn't do it on purpose. She said her father would sacrifice his own life before giving up one of his five daughters in a Baad. That made me feel better.

As I said earlier, I'm not looking forward to working in the domestic violence realm over here but know it's important so I will. Fortunately, I'll be working with a wonderful community dedicated to improving the quality of life of the most distressed.

Okay, I think I belabored the point long enough... sorry, this one got to me.

A big blog hug goes out to all my

beautiful sisters, nieces and women
friends/family

we are truly blessed.

Some Things Just Don't Work

I shared with you in the past about the poor Traffic Police who are posted at many busy intersections here in Kabul. Unfortunately, when they do step out into traffic with their most obvious handwands no one pays attention. Well, they now have whistles and those round white handwands and the combination seems to be having an impact. Man, can they blow those whistles and they like to blow the whistle... I think it's become a power thing. All I know is that it no longer seems a suicide mission heading into some of the busier traffic circles. Overall, I'd say the Traffic Police are now up to about 40% efficiency.

I'm now noting more and more traffic control lights (see pictures) around. It's important you understand that many have been installed but I've yet to see one working beyond a yellow flashing light. I've also observed they are a pretty far distance from the targeted intersection. I'm guessing that if they are ever become functional, they'll parallel the poor local traffic cops... no one will pay attention. Right on red, left on red, straight on red; think Boston.

So, I continue to press on with criminal investigation deveopment processes. I sure hope we're more effective than the traffic cops or lights. But, I'm starting to wonder.

Tonight, Thursday, is my "night off" because tomorrow is my day off.

Peace Be with You,

GAIL

Election Over Back to Work

This photo depicts a local Mosque (church) which always tend to be this shade of blue and in this round shape with high windows. The Mosques do vary in size (not shape) and the roofs of some in the wealthier neighborhoods tend to have baeautifully designed and colorful tile roofs. The tower to the right where the Mosque "Crier" (kind of like the town crier of our early US history) goes to call people to prayer five times a day. After a "call to prayer" I will see people on the streets washing their feet, hair and faces with pitchers of water. Asa tells me she must wash all her makeup off as well as clean her feet and arms before prayer. Most do not go to the Mosque, but will kneel on a colorful "prayer rug" and pray independently, initially putting their forehead to the ground and then a little later rocking up and down from the waist. Then they stand in prayer. Asa tells me Shia fold their hands in front of them below the waist at this point but Sunni hold their hands to their sides. She tells me this difference in prayer style has resulted in a couple of wars.

The elections. Reports tell us here there were over 5300 polls that opened and remained open. Over 500 Taliban were caught or killed by government forces when they tried to attack the polls; unfortunately, they were successful on a few occasions. And, about 40% of the population voted, although one never really knows. I find myself looking at the right index finger of the officials here at the Ministry. When Afghans (as well as in many other world countries) vote, they dip their finger in permanent ink after they vote to prevent repetitive voting. It's nice to see these officials with stained fingers, but I was most concerned about the higher ranking ones I saw that did not have the stained finger... I wanted to chastise them for not voting. By the way, 40% of the population voting is higher than we will find in the US during mid term elections... and no one is threatening our lives or shooting at us.

I've become very busy at work of late with both the international community and the Afghans. I've written a couple of personnel management policies which are drawing a lot of interest. More on that in another blog episode.

Today, big hug for all because I feel most blessed to have so many of you in my life. Thank you for your blog loyalty. If you haven't let me know you're reading, I'd love to hear from you. My email: gailey56@aol.com. Your comments and requests are most welcome.

All Secure Here in Kabul

This is the very nice soldier/gentleman who goes out of his way to help Asa and I when we're in the Ministry. He's obviously quite poor in material ways, but most generous in his kindness toward us.

Okay then... yesterday, election day. You probably get more news than I do, but I do know there were continuous attacks throughout Afghanistan yesterday which may prove a win for the insurgents. Kabul took a few "hits" but all and all from my understanding, the polls stayed open. A win for the good guys.

Here's an update from yesterday's blog:

• It now appears I slept through most of the earthquake. The guys told me it hit for about 40 seconds and rocked the house... I woke up at the very tale end. And, I'm on the 2nd floor of the house which I'm told REALLY rocked. Guess I sleep better than I realize.
• The rocket/mortar hit pretty close to our secured compound. However, there are so many high antiballistic barrier walls between me and the explosion there was literally no damage anywhere near me. Unlike the earthquake though, it woke me up hard.

Off to work again today, as usual. However, I believe the roads are still "black" for us which means no travel to the ministry. Catching up on all kinds of paperwork and meetings.

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Off to ......

Peace be with you all,

GAIL