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Aghanistan School System to Learn From Turkey February 9, 2010

Posted by barakatinc in Afghanistan, Education, Women.
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Girls in Barakat Program

The process of democratization is always a long one, and usually painful. No other country knows that better than Afghanistan. Torn apart by war, Afghanistan is struggling to find a way to normalize society again. One of the most important ways to do this is to focus on education. Abdullah Gül, president of Turkey, has pledged to help Afghanistan do exactly that.

Turkey is one of the few truly democratic nations in the region, and has found a way to reconcile a majority Muslim population with a secular government. Their schools incorporate Islam and also boast a very high population of educated women. Because Afghanistan wants to continue to incorporate religion into everyday life, including education, they will adopt Turkey’s model of 40% Islamic teaching and 60% normal curriculum. This system is called imam-hatip and has been extremely successful in Turkey. Six schools have opened already and 62 more are to be opened in the spring. The proposal also includes funding by Turkey for more scholarships for Afghan students to study in Turkish Universities.

Barakat recognizes the effectiveness of respecting culture and religion, and therefore incorporates Islam into their programs as well. Curriculums for the Besh Kapa School, the Mullah Kareem Nazar School, and the home-based literacy courses for girls and women, all include an Islamiyat course, the study of Islam. This is comforting for parents of young girls that are hesitant to send their daughters to school. Thanks to Turkey, hopefully children in other parts of Afghanistan will soon strive in this learning environment too.

The Problem With Private Schools in India February 2, 2010

Posted by barakatinc in Education, India.
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Students in India

Parents in New York who are stressed about private schools accepting their children, ought to be glad they aren’t in New Delhi. Yesterday was the deadline for schools to post their final decisions on which children would be accepted for the upcoming year. Because there has been such chaos and arbitrary practices in accepting students, a court-appointed commission set new rules in standards for accepting students. The combination of India’s exploding middle-class, and the practical collapse of the public school system, has led private schools to go overboard with absurd filtering processes such as outlandish bribes.

However, the new standard seems to be skewed as well. It is based on a 100-point system that measures things such as parent’s occupations, siblings, and distance from the school. These guidelines, parents complain, are unfair for single children families and discriminate based on characteristics that are unimportant. Not to mention that this point system is only in effect for New Delhi. Other cities around the country are still operating on an extremely corrupt system. More importantly, however, is where that leaves the poor: stuck in the public school system that is non-functioning, with no hope of paying bribes or becoming accepted to private schools on their own.

Barakat aims to provide schooling for this portion of the population. The public school system has little resources and unmotivated staff. Barakat provides schooling in the Bhadohi district in the Northern state of Uttar Pradesh, a very poor area in which parents often have to choose whether to send their children to school, or send their children to work. Barakat’s free education system provides quality learning to curve the practice of abusive child labor.

With such an uproar among parents in New Delhi, officials may have to find a new system that values the right characteristics in students. Hopefully other cities around the country can adopt fair standards as well, and offer families an alternative to the unacceptable and failing public school system.

Afghan Women and Negotiating With the Taliban January 29, 2010

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Yesterday in London an international conference was held on Afghanistan to discuss the future of the political arena and whether or not to negotiate with members of the Taliban. Leaders of 65 different nations attended, as did non-state organizations such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Afghanistan. Many countries in attendance seemed to be leaning towards an effort to include some low to mid-level Taliban members by seducing them with financial incentives.  President Hamid Karzai suggested this strategy, and $140 million has already been raised to fund the reintegration, $50 million coming from Japan.

On the other side, however, in strong opposition to the plan, were UNIFEM and other Afghan women’s groups. Since the Taliban fell from power, women have made incremental but significant achievements towards full integration into society. With the majority of Afghan girls still without primary education, however, there is still a long way to go. Many women fear, and with good reason, that if members of the Taliban become reintegrated back into society and politics, these few rights that they have attained will be taken away again.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton included a stipulation regarding women’s rights when she spoke at the conference in London. The Women’s Action Plan recognizes that women must be included in the negotiating process and includes initiatives to increase women’s security, participation in politics, and access to basic human rights such as education and medicine.

Mrs. Clinton’s plan is an important one, but it might not be enough. Although women’s rights were mentioned in passing by some other nations, they did not give it the attention it deserves. Afghan women wonder why the conference did not include more representation from those who will be most affected by this change: the women.

In order for Afghanistan to rebuild itself, women must be involved and must play a leading role. Without sufficient education for most of the women population, this is near impossible. Barakat aims to not only provide education, but also to provide women with a comfortable and acceptable environment to learn. Since parents are often skeptical about co-ed schooling, Barakat makes sure that women have either their own classrooms, or can meet at a neighbor’s house for classes.

While the constitution calls for 25% female representation in parliament, Afghan’s parliament is far from meeting this goal: only three names have been put forward by women in the election. This is understandable considering women still have little education, health care, and access to the justice system. They are also struggling against a society that is not accustomed to women in high-power positions. It seems doubtful that including members of the Taliban back into the system will be helpful. World leaders seem to have forgotten that these are the same men that denied a woman the right to get an education, hold a job, or even show her face in public.

Pierce Elementary Students Respond to the Need for Female Education December 17, 2009

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Pierce School Students at the Literacy Walk

The presence of Pierce School’s 6th grade students and their families, wearing Barakat’s bold orange T- shirts and carrying banners as they walk full of spirit, was an exciting sight at Barakat’s Walk for Literacy this past October.  The students were happy to be part of the event as they knew it was for a purpose which was dear to them–helping those who are truly in need with the knowledge that their support can bring a change.

These committed students have played a vital role in the success of the Barakat’s Literacy Walk in 2008 and 2009.  Not only did a large number of students participate with their parents and teachers, but the group also raised more than $8000 dollars!

It’s easy to wonder why 6th grade students from Brookline, MA would choose to raise money for women and children on the other side of the globe.  What does the Walk for Literacy mean for these students?  How do they believe they are helping education around the world?  Read the students’ answers below to learn why they took up the cause with such passion.

What is Barakat’s Role?

Arthur, a 6th grade student, defines Barakat’s mission as “a non-profit organization which is helping to educate women and girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Every cent that is donated to Barakat, goes to help and to build schools for girls”.

Why Walk for Literacy?

Isabelle shared her opinion on what inspires her to work for the literacy walk: “One day a lady from the Barakat organization named Arti came to our school to speak about Barakat and girls and women in Afghanistan. We were all inspired by what she said and we were horrified by some of the facts she told us. We decided to split into three groups to help Barakat raise money. They include fundraising,  advertising, and understanding Afghanistan. Together we are trying to get people to go to our walk, the walk for literacy.”

How to Help Walk for Literacy?

Thea of class 6L shared her views: “I know I’m doing it for a good cause. I know there are many people who aren’t as privileged as me. It feels good to be helping others. I feel very lucky to have the education after learning about the girls in Afghanistan. So I decided to do the walk. My goal is $100, I’m walking 5 miles. I hope my money goes a long way. If I am able to raise $100 I will be able to send 2 girls to school for a year.

Abby, a fellow student, says, “I think it is really good idea to do the walk to help people in Afghanistan get education. My goal is to raise $50 over the registration fee of $25. I also want to get a couple of people to sponsor me, so I can raise as much as possible. I hope a lot of people go and help raise money for the girls in Afghanistan.”

Jason tells us “I’m excited as I’ve done these kind of walks before to raise money and help the cause. My goal is $100. I think others should also come do the walk.  It will be fun and a lot of Pierce students and teachers will be there.”

On the Walk Day – The View from 5 Miles: By Cierra

“The crowd was getting larger as more people were coming. After everybody settled down with their food and coffee the founder of Barakat started making speech. The first people he thanked were the parents, teachers and students of the Pierce School. While he was talking it seemed that everybody’s eyes wandered over to the Pierce School banner which our school had designed to represent who we are. After the speeches we headed on our walk. About 1/5 through the walk it started raining but the people were determined to finish. Soon in the distance I could see the Barakat sign hanging on arched entrance. I was happy that I competed the 5 mile walk, but my feet were KILLING ME! When we arrived, we were greeted and congratulated by the other walkers.”

Empowering women in poverty December 15, 2009

Posted by barakatinc in Education, Women.
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Something unique happens when women get together.  The conversation is different, the atmosphere changes, and barriers are removed.  Teachers working in Barakat’s schools see this happen in our women’s literacy courses, which are taught by women for women.  In a male-dominated society, these courses are an opportunity for women to express themselves freely, spend quality time with other women outside of their own home, and gain literacy and numeracy skills that can literally change and truly improve their lives.

Something similar is happening with an organization called Dining for Women.  This grassroots campaign, started by women to involve women in giving to other women, invites women to get together and “dine in”, donating the money they would have otherwise spent at a restaurant toward women living in poverty. 

Dining for Women funds programs focused on health, education, and economic self sufficiency.  Dining for Women also emphasizes collective giving as those who participate can make a larger joint donation than individuals working alone.  At Barakat, we realize that women play a significant role in family, education, society, and development, and our goal is to empower women—young and old—to impact the world around them.

Much like Barakat, Dining for Women recognizes that women living in extreme poverty may not have access to support systems and as a result, they and their families may suffer.  The goal of both Dining for Women and Barakat is to give women the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families.  Barakat’s education programs empower women at the grassroots level, as women who become literate are able to find jobs and make a living to support their families. Both Barakat and Dining for Women share the vision that empowering women is key in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Barakat and Maternal Health December 7, 2009

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Maternal health is vital issue around the globe but unfortunately it does not receive the attention and action that it deserves.  Afghanistan has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world, next to Sierra Leone.  According to a recent Christian Science Monitor article, two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population has no maternal nor child health services and only ten percent of Afghanistan’s hospitals are equipped for Cesarean surgeries.  Eighty percent of maternal deaths in Afghanistan are preventable.  According to a recent Washington Times article , causes of these statistics include:  lack of facilities, impassable roads that isolate communities, and a severe lack of medical professionals to treat and educate.  The odds are stacked against women as they are unable to afford a hospital, cannot access one even if they can afford it, and because of cultural values of their conservative societies, are prohibited from examination by male doctors.

There has been a growing trend as of late where women are taking the initiative themselves to promote maternal health.  Midwives are going from village to village in Afghanistan teaching how to efficiently wash hands and encouraging even very young girls to listen in and educate themselves on health care.  This is vital in a country where poverty and illiteracy are a part of everyday life and access to health information is extremely limited.  In addition to maternal care, the midwives teach women how to support a baby’s head and how to cut the umbilical cord when the child is born.  According to the Christian Science Monitor, this has been life-saving for many mothers and it provides an income for the midwives, increasing their economic standing in society.
Barakat’s programs focus on a more comprehensive health education system as our schools provide basic health services and education.  Health checkups and treatments are available for our students.  Patients who need specialized care, treatments, and medicine are taken to the hospital.  Barakat aims to have health check-ups on a monthly basis in the future.  The trend of NGO’s making positive impacts on Afghanistan’s social problems is a necessity because the Afghan government simply cannot provide the necessary services for it’s people at the moment.  Until these services can be provided for the Afghan people, NGOs will continue to be necessary to improve people’s livelihoods through health care, food, and education.

Maternal Mortality cuts the life of so many women short and is extremely detrimental to development of their children as well as society as a whole.  Together with other NGO’s, Barakat is working to reduce these staggering statistics.

Why Non-Profits Will Succeed in a Recession Economy December 1, 2009

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The start of the recession in the United States was in part due to large corporation investments in unstable or unsure companies.  The result of this was a plethora of huge deficits and the losses of pensions and 401ks for thousands of Americans, not to mention the emotional toles and damaged peace of mind.  Since then, the economy has been mired in an unstable status and people and companies are taking less risks with their money.

Some make the argument that since companies have less resources, donations and corporate sponsorships for non-profits will decrease dramatically.  This assumption is misguided and over-exaggerated.  Though it is true companies and individuals have less capital to work with, they will use that capital in the most efficient and certain way.  They want to know what they are getting for their money and where their money is going.  They most importantly want a sure return on their investment.
Non-profits fit the mold of these conditions perfectly because investors know exactly what they are getting, and they know what their money will be used for.  The social return is certain and the risk is very low.  Non-profits are like treasury security bonds with a social return.

Barakat provides a transparent view of their financial information showing what percentage of donations go where. When people invest in Barakat, they know what percentage goes towards its education programs, and what percentage is used for running the organization.  Investing in Barakat is one of the most certain things one can do with their money.  By donating to Barakat, one is investing in women and children who with education, will lead this world in the future.  That’s an investment with a return that is priceless.

Fundraising at Mantra November 16, 2009

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Barakat held a fundraiser in downtown Boston at Mantra last Thursday evening.  The event was a huge success and guests enjoyed Mantra’s French-Indian cuisine while supporting a great cause.  The evening featured a silent auction on various items from Karma, a local shop that sells fine imported crafts from Tibet, Nepal, and India.  The night also featured a raffle for gift certificates as well as other exciting prizes.  

David Boeri from WBUR’s Radio Boston hosted the evening as master of ceremonies.  Barakat’s executive director, Damon Luloff gave a brief introduction about Barakat and then the founders, Chris Walter and Habibullah Karimi, followed with a short description of Barakat’s history and how the organization was started.  Mariam Raquib was also a featured speaker.  Mariam was forced to flee Pakistan during the Soviet occupation in the 1980s.  While living in Pakistan, she met Afghans living in refugee camps, and this experience profoundly shaped her views about the importance of human rights and the rights of children to receive an education.  

South Asian dance groups provided the entertainment for the evening.  Students from Burlington High School performed a combination of three Bollywood songs combining hip-hop and traditional dance.  Tibetan musicians sang next, followed by Dance Philippines, a nonprofit organization composed of professional Filipino-American volunteers to bring attention to the Philippine culture through music and dance. Boston College Masti, a dance troupe of the South Asian Students Association at Boston College combined traditional Indian and fusion music in an inspiring routine. Northeastern University’s Kinematics and a Tibetan masked dance were also among the fabulous performances that brought attention to South Asian culture.

Without Phuni Meston of Karma Imported crafts, this event would not have been possible.  Phuni is from Tibet and had been relocated as a young girl to Southern India where she was a victim of human trafficking and was eventually brought to the United States.  In 1995 Phuni was one of the Tibetan delegates who participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing advocating for social justice and Tibetan women’s rights.  She continues to speak publicly about her experiences to create awareness and work towards ending human trafficking.

Barakat’s event at Mantra raised over $5000 for literacy programs in South Asia!

Barakat strives to decrease the gender gap November 16, 2009

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The Gender Gap Index: A Reliable Resource for Analyzing Country Development

After giving a speech to a mainly male audience in Saudi Arabia, Bill Gates recalled a member of the audience asking him if it was realistic for Saudi Arabia to be ranked as one of the top 10 countries in the world in technology by 2010.  Gates responded saying, “Well, if you’re not fully utilizing half the talent in the country you’re not going to get too close to the top 10.”

Gates was on to something.  When analyzing international problems such as poverty and lack of education, we tend to focus on a country’s level of wealth and access to resources.  This narrow focus neglects many variables and does not take into account factors, such as gender equality, that influence major issues.  Thus, it is important to add an additional measurement that is independent of country income and development to solve global issues.  The World Economic Forum developed the gender index which has become one of the best indicators of national development as universal equality and a country’s development go hand in hand. 

The World Economic Forum, a Geneva-based nonprofit organization that focuses on social development as a cornerstone of economic development, created the gender gap index and provides updates as well as other information on this topic. The gender gap index examines the status of men and women in relation to one another based on individual country statistics.  

There are 14 different variables that contribute to the female to male ratio, and they are compiled from various international sources.  The purpose of this index is to provide a credible country ranking and to create awareness of the challenges that countries face in closing gender gaps.   This information is vital because reducing these gaps creates opportunities for a greater and more successful world.  

The latest Gender Gap Index can be viewed here.  There are economic, educational, and political factors that must be taken into account when determining the gender gap index.  The factors are listed in the table below:

Economic Variables Female/male labor force participation Female/male wage for similar work Female/male income disparity Female/male in high positions
Education Variables Female/male literacy rate Female/male primary enrollment Female/male secondary enrollment Gross tertiary enrollment
Political Variables Female/males in Parliament Females/males at ministerial level Number of years of a female/male head of state  

This index is linked to economic performance in a key way.  A country’s economic performance is based on how well it is utilizing its talent base. Women make up 50% of the base population, so the countries that develop resources to benefit their entire population, will eventually perform the highest economically.  If governments make gender equality a high priority of public policy, their overall development will improve drastically, and many existing transnational problems such as poverty, extremism, hunger, and conflict will be much more easily resolved.  

Several of the most developed and industrialized countries are in the top ten ranking in the gender gap index.  The top ten in order are Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Ireland, Philippines, and Lesotho.  Not surprisingly, at this point in time countries in South Asia are ranked very low according to the 2009 report.  India is ranked 114 out of 134 countries included in the Gender Gap Index and Pakistan is ranked 132 out of 134 countries.  Afghanistan is not included in the Gender Gap Index due to lack of reliable information, but it is surely very low on the list.  

This index is vitally important to Barakat because it provides a measure of gender equality and demonstrates its effect on national development.  Economic development is impossible without social development.  Gender disparities severely hinder a country’s ability to pull itself out of poverty.  Barakat empowers women and aids in decreasing the gap between males and females so that successful development becomes feasible.

We at Barakat believe that development in this region, and in all poverty-stricken countries, is dependent upon every individual’s skills and talents, not just half the population.  Barakat strives to make the gender gap between females and males in the education sector smaller as it currently works for the equal education of men and women in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.  By focusing on education for women and girls, as well as training in human and women’s rights, we hope to make education for girls a norm for South Asian society.  Female empowerment is the key to poverty alleviation and development.  It is a challenge to formally educate women in schools because of the taboos against co-ed schools, the distance of the schools from the home, and the fact that many schools have only male teachers.  Barakat’s literacy courses are ideal because they provide women with education close to their homes and many are run solely by female teachers.  Barakat overcomes obstacles for female empowerment and educates women and the community so that the gender gap in South Asia can decrease and communities can bring themselves out of poverty.  

Barakat at Mantra! November 2, 2009

Posted by barakatinc in Afghanistan, Education, Events, India, Pakistan.
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Thursday, November 12 from 6:30-8:30 pm

Come join Barakat and Karma as we celebrate South Asian culture with music, dance and food!  Enjoy a taste of French-Indian cuisine from Mantra, one of the hottest restaurants in downtown Boston, and get an exclusive performance by local music and dance groups.  Tickets are $50, and all proceeds benefit Barakat’s work to promote education for women and children in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.  Hosted by David Boeri from WBUR’s Radio Boston.

Reserve your tickets here!

Or join us for the After Party starting at 9pm for just $5 featuring a live performance from KINEMATIX and music from DJ Rob EG. All proceeds support Barakat’s literacy programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India!