Afghanistan Clean Water Projects
In Afghanistan, the two most deadly health risks are unsafe water and inadequate sanitation. Responding to these problems the American Friendship Foundation (AFF) has constructed wells with clean drinking water in many communities in Central Asia. By the end of the 2006, AFF will have provided water wells to 30 villages supporting nearly 100,000 people. Our goal is to provide water to 25 additional communities each year.

AFF teams have worked in Afghanistan since 2002. AFF Project Managers have built AFF a strong platform of credibility and trust within Afghan communities, allowing AFF to continue to provide crucial services under these extreme circumstances.

Clean Water for Schools Project
In Afghanistan, there are many rural schools and villages do not have access to a clean source of water. The Minister of Education has said that there are 120 schools in the Province without any source of water. Providing a clean water source for the population would benefit the health of both children and adults. AFF is supporting teams of workers who travel from village-to-village drilling wells in accordance with UNICEF standards. The average depth for water wells in the Province is 150 feet at a cost of $3,250. We need your donation to purchase the materials and equipment to drill wells for these schools. Can you please give 5% ($162.50) of the cost of labor and materials or 10% ($325) to drill the next well?

Village Water and Homes Project
AFF's Afghanistan Director has focused work in the villages of the poorest people. AFF has many opportunities to fund clean water projects; to demonstrate alternative methods of crop irrigation; to train villagers in basic health care and hygiene issues; and to assist with the provision of doors and windows to winterize homes. Water engineers, construction workers and health care professionals are willing to go and do this work, the only constraint is funding of these projects. The cost averages $3,250 per well, windows and doors for a house are $950, and the water engineers and health care workers have travel expenses of $3,000 per trip. Your gift can help send a team with the materials and knowledge to help these people.

Afghanistan Background
Afghanistan has been a country besieged by war for centuries. During the last 25 years there has been non-stop conflict - first the Russians, then the warlords, and then the Taliban. Since the removal of the Taliban, local warlords fight for control of territory as well as the opium trade. Generations have grown up in this environment and have never known peace ­ what it is like to be without guns and death. Employment is limited; food is scarce; health care in the few cities means basic service and local doctors without diagnostic equipment. There is a crucial need for safe drinking water and sanitation in rural villages.

The new government brings glimmers of hope. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are providing educational and medical training, repairing roads, and consumer goods are flowing into the country. However, many rural villages remain without basic services, such as electricity and water. To see development and stabilization in the country we must begin with providing Afghans with the basics of clean water, food, education and health care. The American Friendship Foundation is committed to being a part of this process.