VISION:
“To alleviate poverty and human sufferings to see educated, self-reliant, peaceful and developed Afghanistan. ”
MISSION:
“To save lives and overcome poverty by uplifting the most vulnerable and neglected communities.”
OBJECTIVES:
1. Increasing access to quality, safe and free education for out-of-school children with particular focus on girls’ education.
2. Advocating for the expansion of girls’ education through an inclusive approach by reaching-out directly to the marginalized communities and families of the affected girls.
3. Upgrading the local traditional agriculture and irrigation systems of the vulnerable communities, with particular focus on the hard-to-reach areas.
4. Improving/providing basic and advanced health services and facilities for the needy people of the country.
5. Raising awareness around the hygiene and sanitation.
6. Promoting gender equity and equality to eradicate gender discrimination for the welfare of human beings.
7. Ensuring food security of the poor people by providing seeds, fertilizers and water for irrigation.
8. Developing/Creating a self-reliant environment for the women in a sense to make them economically independent, and also for the women to contribute equal shares of their income in Afghanistan’s economy.
CORE VALUES:
SADA as a humanitarian and development organization is guided by the following core values:
1 Honesty
2 Transparency
3 Accountability
4 Change
5 Uniqueness
6 Respect for Diversity
A. Board of Directors/Governing Body
General Statement
A five-member committee/board of directors (BoD) governs the main functions of SADA. They together make decisions and advice the strategies to be implemented by the organization. The board of directors conduct regular monthly, quarterly and annually meetings with senior management staff for the discussion and evaluation of the organization policies and procedures. The BoD reviews, revise/update and approve the policies and procedures of the organization with the current context.
B. Organizational Chart
SADA has both permanent and project-based staff. At least, SADA keeps 58 permanent staff. Other staff are recruited based on the projects’ life cycles. The following organizational chart shows the hierarchy and chain of command in SADA:
SADA is a non-governmental, non-for-profit and non-political humanitarian and development organization. SADA was founded in 1994 when Afghanistan was severely affected by internal war and access to any humanitarian facilities and services was practically debarred. SADA was established with a vision of “To alleviate poverty and human sufferings to see educated, self-reliant, peaceful and developed Afghanistan” by enhancing access to quality and free education, improving health conditions, upgrading local agriculture & irrigation systems, increasing awareness around hygiene and sanitation, and advocating for the rights of women & children.
SADA started its first operation in 1996 in Kandahar province by implementing a UNOPS funded WASH project with the total value of $12,657. SADA gradually expanded its operations across the southern region by developing partnerships with UNOPS, UNDP, UNWFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, Malala Fund, Street Child/Children in Crisis, GPE, JICA, Action Aid, ZOA Refugee Care, Royal Netherland Embassy, PRT and the government of Afghanistan.
SADA is able to successfully implement hundreds of small and large humanitarian and development projects in several sectors in different parts of the country, which have greatly contributed in improving the living conditions of hundreds of thousands of needy people.
SADA through its community-based-approach built up strong relations with communities and gained a special acceptance among them. On the basis of service delivery, the organization has created excellent reputation among donor organizations, partner organization, government officials and other stakeholders.
SADA is headquartered in Kabul and currently has sub offices in Kandahar, Zabul, Helmand, Sari-Pul, Faryab and Urozgan provinces.
SADA believes: “Education is the key to success for any individual, society and a nation as whole. Education is the best tool to combat against all forms of inequalities and injustices in any society. The lack of education is considered as one of the major reasons behind the four and half decades’ sufferings in Afghanistan”.
Education remains as one of the top prioritized sectors for SADA during the past 15 years. Until now SADA has implemented numerous education projects. The projects included; the establishment of CBE classes for out of school children (with particular focus on girls), female teachers training, establishing child friendly spaces for conflict affected girls and boys, constructing school building, and financially support (scholarships) for the poor students at schools and universities.
It is worth-mentioning that, SADA was the first ever local organization to successfully introduce the CBE concept in Chora and Dehrawod districts of Uruzgan and in Arghandab and ShahJoy districts of Zabul in the year 2014. In addition to that, SADA was the also first NGO to recruit higher number of female teachers in an education project in Zabul and Uruzgan provinces in 2014.
SADA as a responsible humanitarian and development organization is highly committed to continue efforts for its ultimate goal of providing quality, free and safe education services for all Afghan children with particular focus on girls’ education as they have suffered the most. SADA will also keep working on the capacity building of teachers with special attention to the female teachers.
For the ongoing education projects, please kindly refer to SADA’s updated factsheet.
KEY WORKING/EXPERTISE AREAS:
Afghanistan has progressed significantly in the sector of education during the years 2021 – 2021. According to the Ministry of Education of the Islamic republic of Afghanistan and UNICEF- post August 2021 “the students enrollment increased from 900,000 in 2001 to 9.5 million enrolled in 2021”, while thousands of schools are established and constructed across the country, thousands of teachers (male and female) are capacitated with teaching skills and schooling standards are upgraded. However, the data also shows that even “before 15th August 2021, 4.2 million children were not enrolled in schools, out of which 60% are girls”, and only 19% of the female below 15 years are literate, just 16% of all schools in the country are girls’ schools. The primary education, female teachers were reported 36.157% in 2019, while for the secondary education, female teachers were reported just 35.63 %.
In response to the mentioned statistics around girl students and female teachers, SADA has constantly been advocating for the improvement of girls’ enrollment ratios in schools. In this regard, SADA advocacy teams conducted several campaigns, awareness-sessions and trainings of community elders, religious scholars and parents on village (s), district (s) and provincial levels.
On 17th September 2021, the government announced the re-opening of the secondary schools after being-closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the government asked the secondary school girls to stay at home.
On 21 March 2022, the MoE publicly confirmed that 0n 23rd March 2022 schools will start for all children at all levels including girls. However, the last-minute U-turn by the authorities seriously disappointed the girls, families and the people of Afghanistan as the MoE extended the ban on girls’ secondary education until further notice. This ban directly affects 1.1 million secondary schools’ girls.
At this critical situation, SADA as girls’ education activist remain solid and will continue advocating for the re-opening of girls’ secondary schools. SADA will also keep promoting the expansion of girls’ education until every girl of this country have access to quality, safe and free education. Furthermore, SADA will continue advocating for the recruitment of maximum number of female teachers in public schools and educational institutes across the country.
For SADA’s ongoing advocacy programs, please kindly refer to the updated factsheet.
The man-made tragedy combined by the natural disasters like; earthquakes, floods, and droughts heavily affected the Afghan people, their livelihood, infrastructure and socio-economic structure, the negative impacts of which are particularly felt in the rural Afghanistan where more than 70% of the population lives, and agriculture is the main source of their income.
Food security depends on agriculture, which further relies on sufficient water, functioning irrigation system, adequate rainfall and a fertile soil. SADA therefore gives special attention for upgrading the agriculture & irrigation in the country.
During the past three decades SADA has successfully implemented numerous agriculture and irrigation projects in Zabul, Uruzgan, Kandahar and Helmand provinces. The projects included; the establishment of the fruit-trees nurseries and orchard development, construction of water-wells, distribution of improved seeds and fertilizer agriculture program, rehabilitation of traditional Karezes and canals, construction and restoration of NAWARS, the livelihood improvement projects, the plantation of hundred-thousand fruits and non-fruits trees. Furthermore, SADA has trained thousands of farmers and small agri-businesses owners on improved and modern agriculture and irrigation techniques and market development strategies.
SADAs’ partners and donors in the agriculture and irrigation sector includes; the Royal Netherland Embassy, ZAO Refugee Care, UNFAO, DFID, Afghan government and PRT Kandahar.
Currently, SADA has a separate department of agriculture and irrigation, which is run by a qualified and vastly-experienced team. SADA is highly interested in exploring new partnerships in this sector. For SADAs’ agriculture and irrigation projects and programs, please kindly refer to the updated factsheet.
An improved Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) system is a fundamental need for any healthy family and society. On this regard SADA’s objective is to ensure an increased access to sustainable, safe and improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities for all needy communities in Afghanistan. Since its establishment, SADA has implemented several WASH projects in the country.
Some examples of WASH projects implemented by SADA are:
Currently, SADA has a highly educated and experienced WASH team and is committed to continue working in this crucial sector.
For SADA’s WASH projects, please kindly refer to the updated factsheet.
Infrastructure development is necessary for enhancing the living conditions and standards. SADA has 26 years experience implementing the infrastructure development projects and programs in several provinces. Most of the work has been done in sheltering for internally displaced people, distribution of solar panels, construction of gabion system, construction of canals, rehabilitation of water storages and reservoirs, restoration of Karez systems for potable water and construction of culverts and water wells.
Some of the implemented projects in infrastructure development are as bellow:
– Equal Financial Ceiling Project, worth USD 1.4 million funded by Royal Netherland Embassy. A community development project which included the construction of shelter houses, rehabilitation of water wells and installation of hand pumps.
– Construction of high schools in four districts in Kandahar province, which included Dund district funded by MRRD, Shah WaliKot district funded by IOM, Shorawak district funded by DFID & DOUCH and SpinBoldak district by UNOPS. The total amount the projects was USD 1.2 million.
SADA has been endeavouring to alleviate poverty and protect the dignity of the Afghan people. One of SADA’s key areas of intervention is to ensure poor, ultra-poor and vulnerable people improve their nutrition and food security through the implementation of livelihood, food and health projects. Therefore, SADA’s work is focused to enable small scale farmers’ businesses, kitchen gardening, food-for-work projects, and technical trainings, so beneficiaries are able to increase their productivity of agriculture and access markets in order to ensure food security of their families.
SADA is particularly focused on the role of women, farmers, youth, IDPs, returnees, child and female headed families and mothers. We implement Food Security, Nutrition & Health projects with the aim to enable woman, man and child lead a healthy, fulfilling life of self-reliance and dignity.
SADA’s past experience in the sector (around 30 projects) with UNWFP were mostly in the areas of food security.
Important Note:
Acknowledging the current crisis in the country in terms of health and food security, and in order to reach out to the poor and needy families, SADA Board of Director has decided to include Health as a new working component to the core areas of interventions. In this regard SADA has also developed and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Nevertheless, SADA already has sufficient experience in this field, as health and nutrition were embedded in most of SADA’s projects.
Most recently, SADA brought on-board a number of qualified medical doctors to its Core Leadership Team (CLT) for leading the Food-security, Nutrition, and Health department of the organization. The team has already developed good coordination with the MoPH and partner organizations. SADA is trying to explore and establish partnerships with donors with the aim to improve health for all citizens, particularly women, children and the most vulnerable through the delivery of quality and financially sustainable health services for underserved populations.
SADA is taking efforts to prove as one of the active health cluster members to save lives and promote dignity in humanitarian and public health emergencies. To support Afghanistan Health Cluster in achieving its goals and targets, SADA will contribute in delivering health care services to the affected population living in the hard-to-reach or white areas, especially in the province where SADA has operational presence (Kabul, Zabul, Urozgan, Kandahar, Samangan, Balkh, Faryab, and Sar-e-Pul). SADA also has the capacity to train healthcare workers and build their capacity in responding to the disease outbreaks including case management and Infection Prevention and Control. In addition, SADA will extend its support in public awareness and social mobilization interventions where needed.
Closely related to Food Security, Nutrition, Health and Shelter-Protection SADA has contributed significantly in assisting communities during emergency times. Since its establishment until now, SADA has been actively engaged in emergency response projects. The details of some of the emergency relief projects are as follows:
Support of 2,000 vulnerable households affected by high price and drought crisis through the provision of quality declared wheat seed and fertilizer for the autumn and spring planting seasons in Gizab, Chora, CharChino, Dehrawood, Khas Uruzgan and TarinKot districts of Urozgan province. The project was donated by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO).
SADA has the vision of “To alleviate poverty and human sufferings to see educated, self-reliant, peaceful and developed Afghanistan”. We will be unable to reach to this vision unless we pay thoughtful attention to child protection from any kind of abuse. It is our mission not only to campaign for the rights of children but also to take practical action up to the extent of our finance possibility.
Despite child protection being one of the main working areas, SADA pay serious attention to maintain the child rights in all projects included but not limited to health, agricultural, infrastructure, capacity-building, education, food-security and emergency response.
SADA has been seeking ways to provide basic health services, education, security and safety facilities to the poor and vulnerable children in Afghanistan through establishing/developing partnerships with donor community, partner organizations, relevant governmental departments and the communities as well.
SADA as an active advocate of child rights in Afghanistan is highly committed to make the children as equal citizens of the country in the sense of fulfilling their basic rights of foods, education, Health and security.
Please kindly refer to SADA’s Child Protection Policy for additional information.
Afghan women have suffered considerably in the past several decades. The continuous conflict in the country, poor perceptions and local norms, misinterpretation of the Islamic teachings to the uneducated communities and its imposition on the people of the country are believed to be the major causes behind the rollback in maintaining the women rights.
SADA as a humanitarian organization and women rights defender has been regularly trying to contribute its part in reducing the distresses of marginalized women in Afghanistan. In this regard the organization has implemented various advocacy projects. Some of the works done are as follow:
– Community lead campaigns in 60 villages in Dand, Damna, and Kandahar city, the purpose of the project was to change the perception of the local influencers regarding the women rights by teaching them the real Islamic knowledges.
– Providing capacity building trainings for 90 young female teachers in Kandahar province in Dand, Daman and Kandahar city. The teachers were capacitated about the basic and advanced teaching skills and techniques.
– Provided vocational trainings for women in 38 villages in Chora and TarinKot districts of Ruzgan province. Through this program around 129 females were capacitated on embroidery skills.
SADA is committed to advocate and campaign for women rights in Afghanistan in line with the principles of Islam, International Human Rights and the positive culture of the country. The organization is taking efforts to alleviate all kind of violence against women so that they can become equal citizens of the country. Therefore, the organization is interested to partner with UN, partner organization and other women rights defenders and donors for the implementation of programs that practically support women and allow them feel safe, equal and counted.
SADA encourages minimum reliance on outside sources, expertise, skills and tools by providing short-term and long-tern capacity building trainings and awareness-sessions for local people. Till date SADA has conducted hundreds of trainings/workshops in the sectors of Education, WASH, Agriculture, and Community Development for the communities in Kandahar, Zabul, Helmand, Urozgan, Faryab and Sari-Pul provinces.
SADA has also provided organizational capacity building trainings to local NGOs in the areas of Operation Management and Program Management. Just recently (April 2022), SADA master trainers provided trainings to 16 representatives from 8 local organizations at SADA office for a two-weeks period. The trainees were capacitated in the areas of finance, logistics, procurement, human recourse, project management, proposal writing, report writing, and fund-raising.
Furthermore, SADA provides regular capacity building workshops and orientation-sessions for its national and provincial staff.
SADA has implemented OCHA funded project in Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC), the project was under the theme of “Improved Livelihood, Food Security, and Resilience for Sayad district in Sar-e-Pul province. Both Directorates have pledged for their full support in the area of project implementation at the field level, and all other official procedures that are pertaining to both directorates and relevant sector at provincial level.
In mid-2024 SADA has implemented the “Reaching the Unreached: Open Distance Learning for Digitally Isolated Primary School Graduates in Afghanistan” project is an innovative initiative designed to address the critical gap in educational continuity for Afghan children in hard-to-reach schools who have completed primary education but face barriers to enrolling in secondary school. This program leverages a self-directed learning model that empowers students to pursue education at their own pace and place, using carefully developed self-instructional guides aligned with national curricula. By providing printed materials and low-tech solutions such as phone-based check-ins and weekly personal contact programs, the ODL project ensures that these learners receive consistent support and are equipped to overcome contextual challenges.
On 28th May 2024, SADA has signed MoU with People in Need (PiN) INGO for joint implementation of ECHO funded project.100 CBE classes for Samangan and 50 CBE classes for Maidan Wardak province. With the total allocated budget 962,850 US$, the project duration is three years.
Monitoring and Evaluation is a crucial and integral part/process of all projects implemented by SADA. Monitoring and evaluation are conducted for the purpose of finding the most valuable and effective practices of resources. It is essential for developing objective collusions about the level to which programs can be considered as an accomplishment.
SADA has The M&E team in SADA is responsible to conduct field visits for preparing daily, weekly and monthly reports to main office. For the entire project, progress/monitoring reports are prepared on monthly basis and a final report is submitted at the end of the project/s. In addition to the provincial level monitoring and evaluation procedure, the project manager, executive director and MEAL coordinator also conduct periodic surprise visits from the sites to ensure activities are in line with the log frame/ result frame work. Prompt and corrective action is taken in case activities are found off-the-track.
For transparency and accountability purpose, SADA always encourages donors and third party (independent) monitoring and evaluation of its projects.
SADA maintains monthly, quarterly, mid-term and final project progress and M&E reporting mechanisms. SADA gives high importance to donor’s requirements of reporting and monitoring.
Life-sustaining education in emergencies assistance to out of school children in Wardak Province.
SADA, in collaboration with our esteemed partner People in Need (PIN) and the funding support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), is delighted to present our initiative focused on providing life-sustaining education in emergencies for out-of-school children in the provinces of Wardak and Samangan, Afghanistan. These critical projects are meticulously designed to offer educational opportunities to children who have been deprived of consistent schooling due to ongoing crises and to strengthen community resilience in these affected areas.
The project in Wardak Province aims to establish 50 Community-Based Education (CBE) classes, directly benefiting 1,750 children and 75 teachers. With a budget allocation of $326,550, the program commenced on July 28, 2024, and is scheduled to conclude on April 30, 2025. The educational intervention will span across 15 villages, impacting the entire population of the targeted areas by fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth. This initiative is pivotal in addressing the immediate educational needs of children, enabling them to continue their education amidst emergencies, thus laying the foundation for long-term community development.
Similarly, the project in Samangan Province focuses on establishing 100 Community-Based Education (CBE) classes, with a direct impact on 3,500 children and 150 teachers. The project, endowed with a budget of $630,000, began on June 1, 2024, and will run until April 30, 2025. The initiative spans 38 villages, engaging the entire community in fostering a supportive educational ecosystem. Through this project, SADA aims to provide the much-needed educational infrastructure that will bolster the cognitive and emotional well-being of children, thereby ensuring a sustainable educational pathway despite the challenging circumstances.
Both projects are designed not only to provide immediate educational support but also to engage entire communities in the educational process, thereby creating a ripple effect of positive change. By involving a broad range of stakeholders, including teachers, community leaders, and parents, the initiatives aim to build a robust and sustainable education system that can withstand the pressures of ongoing emergencies.
SADA is committed to the principles of providing equitable access to quality education for all children, regardless of their circumstances. With the generous support of our partner, PIN, and the donor, ECHO, we are confident that these projects will significantly contribute to the betterment of educational outcomes and overall community resilience in Wardak and Samangan provinces.
The “Reaching the Unreached: Open Distance Learning for Digitally Isolated Primary School Graduates in Afghanistan” project is an innovative initiative designed to address the critical gap in educational continuity for Afghan children in hard-to-reach schools who have completed primary education but face barriers to enrolling in secondary school. This program leverages a self-directed learning model that empowers students to pursue education at their own pace and place, using carefully developed self-instructional guides aligned with national curricula. By providing printed materials and low-tech solutions such as phone-based check-ins and weekly personal contact programs, the ODL project ensures that these learners receive consistent support and are equipped to overcome contextual challenges. This approach not only fosters academic growth but also encourages lifelong learning skills essential for personal development and future opportunities.
SADA is excited to share the successful implementation of our Open Distance Learning (ODL) pilot project in Wardak Province. In partnership with Street Child and generously funded by Cambridge University, this project aims to use innovative educational methods to reach out-of-school children in remote areas. By establishing 50 ODL sites, we are providing an essential lifeline for education to children who otherwise face significant barriers to attending regular schools.
With a budget of $19,488, the ODL pilot project commenced on March 1, 2024, and concluded on July 15, 2024. This initiative aimed to directly benefit 1,500 children by providing them with access to education through 50 ODL sites, supported by 50 ODL Social Mobilizers (SMS) and 5 dedicated facilitators. The project covered 50 villages, thereby impacting the entire population of the targeted areas in Wardak Province. This undertaking was crucial in offering continuous education to children who are geographically isolated or affected by emergencies, ensuring they do not fall behind in their learning.
The ODL approach leverages technology and innovative teaching methods to overcome the hurdles of distance and limited resources. By involving ODL Social Mobilizers and facilitators, the project ensures that the children receive consistent support and guidance, creating an interactive and engaging learning environment. This structure not only supports the academic growth of the students but also empowers the community by enhancing educational awareness and engagement.
The success of this pilot project serves as a testament to the potential of Open Distance Learning in bridging educational gaps in conflict-affected and remote areas. It is our hope that this pilot project will pave the way for broader implementation of ODL strategies across other provinces, thereby expanding the reach and impact of quality education.
SADA remains committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions to provide equitable access to education for all children. With the invaluable partnership of Street Child and the generous funding from Cambridge University, we are confident that the ODL pilot project has set a strong foundation for future endeavors aimed at enhancing educational opportunities in Wardak Province.
SADA, in partnership with the esteemed Malala Fund, is proud to launch a transformative Home-Based Learning project in Kabul Province. This innovative initiative aims to provide educational opportunities to 500 out-of-school girls, empowering them to continue their learning journey despite the challenging circumstances they face and the main objective of this proposed project is to prepare secondary school girls to re-enter the formal education system at the right level. This goal will be achieved by developing and implementing an accredited, accelerated bridging programme that enables out-of-school girls in grades 7 through 12 to catch up on missed education. The project aims to not only equip these students with the necessary academic knowledge but also ensure a safe and conducive learning environment through gender-responsive rehabilitation of Community Based Learning Centers (CBLCs) and active community engagement.
The Home-Based Learning project, with a budget of $150,000, will establish 20 learning sites across Kabul Province, directly benefiting 500 children and 28 female teachers. Commencing on April 1, 2024, and running until July 31, 2025, this project will create a safe and nurturing environment for girls to access quality education within the comfort of their own communities. By leveraging the power of home-based learning, SADA ensures that these students can continue their studies without the barriers of mobility or societal restrictions.
The Home-Based Learning project goes beyond just providing educational services; it actively engages the entire community to foster a supportive environment for girls’ education. By involving 20 villages in the implementation of this initiative, SADA aims to raise awareness, challenge gender norms, and empower local stakeholders to champion the educational rights of girls. This holistic approach not only benefits the direct beneficiaries but also creates a ripple effect of positive change that will resonate throughout the targeted areas of Kabul Province.
SADA, with the support of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), is proud to implement the “Supporting Access to Justice through Non-State Actors” project in Kandahar Province. This initiative aims to empower returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) by providing them with the necessary legal knowledge and resources to navigate the complex justice system and assert their rights The main objective of this proposed project is to empower 100 women in Kandahar province, enabling them to access justice and advocate for their rights through tailored training and follow-up sessions, thereby enhancing their socio-economic integration and contribution to community decision-making processes.
SADA is implementing a targeted initiative to support 100 women in Kandahar province through specialized training and follow-up sessions. This initiative aims to enhance access to justice for women by providing them with legal knowledge, advocacy skills, and negotiation strategies. The goal is to empower women to participate actively in community dialogues and effectively advocate for their rights and needs
Kandahar province faces significant challenges related to accessing justice, with women, in
particular, experiencing substantial barriers due to socio-economic conditions, cultural norms, and ongoing political instability. These issues have left many women with limited resources and support, exacerbating their vulnerability to human rights abuses and exploitation.
The project, with a budget of $10,000, will directly benefit 100 women in Kandahar Province. Commencing on August 1, 2024, and concluding on October 30, 2024, this intervention focuses on strengthening the capacity of non-state actors, such as community leaders and local organizations, to serve as intermediaries between the target population and the formal justice system. By equipping these individuals with the skills and knowledge to provide legal assistance and guidance, the project ensures that the most vulnerable members of the community can access the support they need to seek justice and resolve their legal issues.
The “Supporting Access to Justice through Non-State Actors” project recognizes the importance of engaging the broader community in the pursuit of justice and the rule of law. By targeting 45 villages in Kandahar Province, the project aims to create a ripple effect of empowerment and awareness, where the knowledge and resources gained by the direct beneficiaries are shared and disseminated throughout the local communities. This approach not only addresses the immediate needs of the returnees and IDPs but also lays the foundation for a more inclusive and accessible justice system that serves the interests of all community members.
SADA, in partnership with Street Child, is proud to implement the “Keeping Hope Alive for Afghanistan’s Children” project in Zabul Province. This comprehensive initiative aims to provide a lifeline of support to 4,500 children, ensuring they can continue their education and access critical mental health and psychosocial services during these challenging times.
With a budget of $33,710, the project is generously funded by the Steven Tomas Johnsan Foundation and is integrated into SADA’s existing Community-Based Education (CBE) project in Zabul Province. Spanning from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the project directly benefits 4,500 children and 145 teachers across 110 villages. By strengthening the CBE program and incorporating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) counseling, the project aims to create a holistic and nurturing environment that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of the students.
The “Keeping Hope Alive for Afghanistan’s Children” project recognizes the importance of engaging the entire community to ensure the well-being and educational success of the children. By integrating MHPSS services into the CBE program, the project not only supports the students but also empowers the teachers and community members to become active participants in fostering a safe and supportive learning environment. This approach not only addresses the immediate needs of the children but also lays the foundation for a more resilient and thriving community in Zabul Province, where the rights and well-being of every child are prioritized.
The Basic General Literacy (BGL) Program, funded by UNESCO, is a pivotal education initiative designed to provide fundamental education and pre-vocational skills to youth and adults in Afghanistan. The program predominantly targets women and girls, striving for at least 70% female participation among its students. Utilizing the Youth and Adult Literacy and Basic Education (YALBE) level 1 curriculum, equivalent to grades 1-3, the BGL Program aims to bridge the literacy gap in disadvantaged communities. The curriculum includes basic education and essential pre-vocational skills, facilitating learners’ progressive integration into society. The program is structured to support small class sizes, ensuring personalized attention from literacy facilitators and fostering a conducive learning environment. By adopting a community-based approach, the BGL project strives to embed itself within local communities through the establishment of village literacy committees and the appointment of community mobilizers, ensuring the program’s sustainability and holistic integration and SADA is thrilled to announce the launch of a comprehensive Basic General Literacy (BGL) program in Samangan Province, made possible through the generous support of our esteemed partner, UNESCO. This impactful initiative aims to empower youth and adults, particularly women, by providing them with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of daily life and actively participate in their communities.
With a budget of $189,476, this BGL program will be implemented across 80 villages in Samangan Province, directly benefiting 2,400 individuals, including both women and men, as well as 80 dedicated teachers. The project’s primary objective is to equip participants with essential literacy and numeracy skills, enabling them to access information, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions that positively impact their lives and the well-being of their families.
By addressing the critical gap in basic literacy, this program will have a far-reaching impact on the targeted communities in Samangan Province. The indirect beneficiaries of this initiative include the entire population of the 80 villages, as increased literacy levels contribute to improved social and economic outcomes, fostering greater community resilience and self-reliance.
SADA’s BGL program in Samangan Province aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 5: Gender Equality. By investing in the educational and personal development of youth and adults, we are laying the foundation for sustainable progress, empowering individuals to become active agents of change within their communities.
This project is a testament to SADA’s commitment to partnering with reputable organizations like UNESCO to deliver impactful educational interventions. The insights and lessons learned from this initiative will inform the expansion and refinement of our BGL programs in other regions, ensuring that the benefits of literacy reach even more individuals in need.
We are confident that the Provision of Basic General Literacy program in Samangan Province will have a transformative impact on the lives of the participants, their families, and the broader community. With the unwavering support of UNESCO, SADA remains steadfast in our mission to empower individuals through education and foster sustainable development in Afghanistan.
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The Community-Based Kitchens (CBK) project in Afghanistan is a laudable initiative that aims to empower local communities by providing a sustainable and self-managed food assistance program. The project is designed to support vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, by establishing community-run kitchens that prepare and distribute nutritious meals. Implemented by various organizations, including the United Nations, the CBK project has been instrumental in promoting food security, social cohesion, and economic development in Afghanistan. By fostering community ownership and participation, the project helps build resilience and self-reliance among local communities.
Budget: $75,996
Funding Agency: UNDP (United Nations Development Program)
Project Duration: Start Date: 30 September 2024 | End Date: 28 February 2025
Location: Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
Project Description: The Area-Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiative Phase II aims to provide urgent support to communities in Bamyan Province facing various challenges, including socio-economic hardships and limited access to essential services. This project not only focuses on immediate relief but also promotes long-term development strategies that empower communities and enhance their resilience.
Direct Beneficiaries:
• Households Impacted: 1,800 households (HHS)
• Staff Involved: 10 dedicated staff members who will implement project activities and ensure the effective engagement of community members.
Indirect Beneficiaries:
• Community Reach: The project will positively impact approximately 30 villages, benefitting the entire population of the targeted areas in Bamyan Province.
Impact Statement: This project will have a significant impact on the lives of the people in Bamyan Province by addressing their immediate needs while laying the groundwork for sustainable development. By enhancing access to essential services and engaging local communities, SADA aims to foster a more resilient and self-sufficient population. Through the collaborative efforts of SADA and UNDP, this initiative will create lasting improvements in health, education, and overall quality of life, ultimately transforming the socio-economic landscape of the region.
Community kitchens offer a range of benefits that can significantly impact local communities. Here are some key advantages:
1. Food Security: Community kitchens provide access to nutritious meals, particularly for low-income families or individuals facing food insecurity. This helps to reduce hunger and improve overall community health.
2. Social Connections: These kitchens are often gathering places that foster social interactions and build a sense of community. They can help combat isolation by bringing people together.
3. Skill Development: Participants in community kitchens can learn valuable cooking skills, food safety practices, and nutrition education, empowering them to prepare healthy meals for themselves and their families.
4. Economic Opportunities: Community kitchens may provide training and employment opportunities for local residents, enabling them to gain skills in the culinary arts or food service industry.
5. Support for Local Producers: Many community kitchens prioritize sourcing ingredients from local farmers and suppliers, boosting the local economy and promoting sustainable food practices.
6. Cultural Exchange: These kitchens often celebrate diverse culinary traditions, allowing community members to share recipes, techniques, and cultural dishes, fostering understanding and appreciation among different groups.
7. Health Improvement: By providing healthy meal options, community kitchens can contribute to improved overall health and well-being among participants, which may lead to reduced healthcare costs in the long run.
8. Waste Reduction: Community kitchens can work to minimize food waste by using surplus food and redirecting it to those in need, promoting sustainability and efficient resource usage.
9. Emergency Response: In times of crisis or natural disasters, community kitchens can serve as vital resources, providing food and support to affected individuals and families.
10. Empowerment: Many community kitchens operate with a model that encourages community members to have a voice in decision-making, promoting leadership and empowerment.
Overall, community kitchens play a crucial role in promoting food justice, improving health outcomes, and strengthening social ties within communities.
