SHAPE School Donation for Afghanistan
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The roof of the boys’ school leaked during every rainfall, and the students suffered from the cold for a simple reason: they didn’t have enough blankets. General John Craddock, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), learned of this dire situation during a recent visit to Afghanistan in the region of the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Chagharan.
The SHAPE American Elementary and High School heard about the lack of blankets and felt the need to step in and make a donation.
“We find ourselves blessed with so much and the idea that boys who should be wanting for sports equipment, games and computers, would be wanting for just a little warmth instead, opened the hearts of all the students at the school,” said Karen Murtha (top right), the American Elementary School Secretary who came up with the idea of making the collection.
More than 400 blankets were collected in one week thanks to the co-ordination efforts of 3rd Grade teacher, Libby Heineken (top left), who explained that “being part of an international community makes our students much more aware of the needs of those less fortunate.”
The blankets were flown to Kabul and distributed to the boys on 8 January by the commander of the Chagharan PRT, Colonel Albertas Kondrotas, in the presence of Mr Eid Gul Azem, Deputy Director of the Educational Department. Azem thanked everyone for their assistance and stated that the donation of the blankets was very much appreciated.
“Children are our future and we are putting all our expectations into this young generation”, said Azem.
Kondrotas added: “We know that if we do not help the Afghani children today, our future dreams never will come true.”
And the leaky roof? It is now fixed, greatly improving the quality of life for the boys in the school.
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