Spirit of America is excited to announce a new stonemasonry training program that will soon spearhead much-needed vocational training programs in one of Kandahar City's key sub-districts.

Stakeholders for new stonemasonry training program discuss the curriculum in the SoA-renovated Jahani Room

Supporting Task Force Warhorse and the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team's efforts to assist the Afghan government in bringing long-term security to Kandahar City, we are going to fund an expanded version of our pilot masonry training program that took place in the Arghandab district late last year.

The SoA-funded training will be the first of a coordinated campaign to offer long-term alternatives for underemployed locals whose economic desperation makes them easy prey for insurgents looking for expendables hires for dangerous tasks. The stonemasonry training will occur at a key juncture in this year's fighting season, creating the momentum necessary to dissuade the underemployed from taking insurgent money.

Check back periodically in the coming weeks for updates on this exciting project, the largest that Spirit of America has funded in Afghanistan. Also, it is certainly not too early to donate to the stonemasonry training, which will cost $30,000. Your support comes at a crucial time in this conflict.

Toby Bonthrone
Afghanistan Field Rep.