Below are some basic costs in Afghanistan according to experts:

$31     –  Paper and pens for an entire class

$63    –  One year education for a student

$90    –  Monthly salary for a teacher

$156   –  Carpets to sit on and water pump for an entire school

$344  –  Carpets to sit on, chalk board, water reservoirs and one teacher                               education kit for one class

$187,000  – One standard school with 6 classrooms 

The reporter, Khazar Fatemi, was also once a student in Afghanistan. She says there are thousands and thousands of children of all ages like Zahra, all eager to learn. They endure substandard conditions and hardships in their attempts to get an education with many classrooms even outside on dirt floors. The more well off students carry a notebook and a pen or pencil to record the teacher’s lessons, but a vast majority of students (especially in rural villages) are so poor they have no supplies and can rely only on memorization.

With advice from Khazar and my dad (he produces for her), we have chosen a non-profit they are familiar with in Washington, DC called TAPS -- the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors to be a partner and the recipient of the donations since they can be both tax deductible for you and TAPS is a very reputable, and trustworthy charity with a strong connection and bond with the people of Afghanistan. 

       [A message from Bonnie Carroll, Founder and President of T.A.P.S.]
    

Great Non-Profits

TAPS main mission is to help the survivors in families (husbands, wives, sons, daughters, siblings, parents) whose loved ones gave their lives serving our country in the military, which includes those killed while serving in Afghanistan. 

One small TAPS initiative buys and resells jewelry bracelets made by war widows in Kabul that helps support their livelihoods and allowing them to sending their children to school. http://www.taps.org/afghan/ And a donation PERK for you!

Also, by involving TAPS it allows these military families and children survivors to be involved. It helps them knowing that the some of the neediest children and girls now able to attend schools in Afghanistan will have a chance for opportunity. 

It helps promote healing from them knowing that students will have proper school supplies to go along with the opportunity their loved one gave their lives providing to Zahra and others.

I just started college at Lewis and Clark, and am not an aide worker or expert (although I hope to join the Peace Corps after graduation), but I want to do something to help now, I can’t do it alone, but with your help, and the more of us working together, I am sure we can make this happen and have a positive impact on so many young lives.

I am very confident Bonnie, TAPS and our team will work together and find the lowest cost pricing, best delivery, and distribution of any and all supplies to Zahra, her classmates and many more students at other schools.  Please join us?

I will work on developing more Perks, but hopefully everyone can expect photos and maybe a Photo Essay with pictures of the school supplies being packaged with care and love by TAPS families and distributed at Afghan schools with video if possible. 

The thought of these children and teens being able to send pens and supplies to help the Zahras and to honor their loved one makes me tear up.

My personal wish is for a picture or video of Zahra smiling while holding lots of colorful pens.

Also, I will personally send you a thank you note - the old fashioned kind, in the mail, with a stamp, handwritten, in pen. :)

If we don't reach our entire goal, then what funds we raise will still go to buy supplies whether several hundred, a few thousand or tens of thousands of pens.

I am donating $100 (earned from my part-time job).

Any amount you can give is appreciated. 

You can even support us by just sharing positive thoughts, words of encouragement and this link. 

Thank you so much for your consideration. 

Peace and Love, 

      Gavrielle

P.S. How awesome are Khazar and Bonnie? What amazing role models for me, Zahra and girls everywhere!