Spirit of America

Refurbish and build schools in Afghanistan

Educating the Children of Afghanistan

Educating the children of Afghanistan is crucial to improving the lives of the children and the future of the country. Spirit of America is pleased to continue our support of a brighter educational future for Afghani kids through a new request from 1st Lieutenant Roger Chen, stationed between the tgowns of Saturi and Khangukay.

_{1st Lieutenant Roger Chen enjoys the company of Afghani children}

Army personnel walk through a school in need of supplies

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New Request from Army 1st Lieutenant Roger Chen

"Thank you for picking up this project...The school that I'd like to help is located right between the two small towns of Saturi and Khangukay. The towns themselves are only about a kilometer apart as it is. The towns are in southeastern Afghanistan...The school building is brand new and was apparently started as a CERP project or something [similar]...This area is very poor and the children there currently have no opportunity to go to school to learn to read, write or do 'rithmitic. The school is very close to being finished. The building itself was completed, however, all of the windows that were installed have since been broken. All of the rooms are barren, there are no chalkboards or desks for the students, and obviously no school supplies at this time." Army Platoon Leader 1st Lieutenant Roger Chen

School building that needs finishing touches to welcome students

Original Request

1st Lt. Mark Ruiz, a Public Affairs Officer stationed in Afghanistan, originally brought the need of local schools to our attention. Though the primary mission of his unit is to mentor the Afghan National Army to be self-sustaining, he has a passion for helping the children of Afghanistan. Ruiz writes "if we can educate the young, they will bring a bright future to this country." Spirit of America will assist Ruiz and others serving in Afghanistan in providing for the education of Afghani children through rebuilding and supplies.

Existing classroom

Spirit of America has sent school supplies, backpacks and dental kits for the children and wall maps of the world and their country for the schools.

Col. John Bivens handing out school supplies

Afghan school boys with calculators

Afghan school girls with pencil bags

Future classroom area

In the built-up areas there are schools but they are usually run down and do not have adequate classroom space. The buildings are in need of repair with broken windows and doors, and no heat in the winter. In the outlying areas, schools are very scarce.

1st Lt. Ruiz would like funding to refurbish and rebuild some of the schools and to build a new school for some villages just north of Kabul. The cost of the new school is estimated at $53,000 and would include a science lab complete with sinks, work space, and running water.

Spirit of America would like to sponsor the building of the new classrooms as well as providing the equipment needed for the science lab. Donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated. Spirit of America has purchased 2,000 notebooks and 50 microscopes for the science lab.

Use of funds
We are a 501c3 nonprofit and your donation is tax deductible. 100% of all project donations (excluding credit card processing fees) will be used for direct project expenses (i.e., purchase and shipping of the needed goods and services). We do not deduct fees or expenses for organization overhead. Those expenses are funded separately. Donation Policy Your donation will be earmarked for this project. Donations in excess of those needed by this project will be used to support other Spirit of America projects.