Awakening Journey 2004

AFGHANISTAN - Democratic Destiny

August 22-29, 2004, Kabul

Cancelled due to security concerns

Introduction

From the Great Mogul Empire to the recent Taliban regime, Afghanistan has been characterized and transformed by movements of invasion and resistance. Since 1979 and the Soviet occupation, the country has been devastated by wars and civil strife. Home to a Muslim majority, a varied ethnic mix and thousands of displaced people, Afghanistan breeds resilience and courage. In an ancient culture with an uneven distribution of power, women have invariably suffered, bound by religious tradition and economic constraints. Government regulations, tradition and security issues have limited educational opportunities for women. As a result, the current literacy rate for women is a mere 21%.

The post 9/11 bombing of Afghanistan offered the country, especially the women, another opportunity to control their own destiny. The women of Afghanistan had the right to education, work and to vote before 1920, when American suffrage women won their hard fought battle for the right to vote. For the past 23 years women worked clandestinely, providing needed training and education to their sisters and daughters. As the September 2004 elections approach we will learn, first-hand, what the "war on terror" means to the local women and their families. Where and how do they see their destiny unfolding?

Cities to be Visited

Kabul An Indian poet who visited during Mogul times, described the capitol as "mountain, desert, city, river and all else." Modern times prove the poet's relevance. As the nation's chief economic and cultural center, Kabul lies at the base of the mighty Hindu Kush (Killer of Hindus), the mountainous passageway into rural desert areas. Inside the old walls of Kabul lie Babur's Gardens, the Kabul River, Mausoleums, city mosques, and bustling bazaars. It is here that modernity, Islamic culture and Afghanistan's rich heritage coexist.

In 2004 Kabul is occupied by international NGOs, U.N. forces and white SUVs (Jeeps) that dominate the traffic and daily lives of Afghans as they struggle to afford food and shelter. Basic utilities, especially water and electricity, are infrequent and what was once a "garden city" has been transformed into a dusty metropolis. Due to limited and high cost housing, people are forced to reside in the many bombed out buildings, but prefer the security and employment available in Kabul.

Preliminary Itinerary

Arrival August 22 - Departure August 29

Day	Activity
1	Arrival in Kabul & evening group orientation and welcome
2	Sightseeing and visit to Afghan Women's Network; evening welcome reception with women's NGOs.
3	Bridging Worlds Workshop; shopping on Chicken Street.
4	Bridging Worlds Workshop (cont); closing ceremony.
5	Paghman for sightseeing and visiting local school.
6	Visit women's groups, home schools and sightseeing in Kabul.
7	Departure for India.

The Work of Women's Organizations

Afghan women's groups have only recently emerged into the world spotlight. A number operated for many years behind closed doors and shuttered windows, for fear of brutal assaults and interrogations by the Taliban. With little money and support they courageously provided training, education and health services to women in their communities. Since 2002 a number of groups have proudly emerged, displaying large signs outside their facilities and expanding their work to provide more training and services. Promised international donor assistance has only trickled down to very few women's groups and the freedom and capacity of many women is so limited that staffing these women's groups is an enormous challenge.

Bridging Worlds Workshops

Bridging Worlds workshops allow our travelers to be a part of history in the making, observing in just two days the power of women finding their own voices. You will share in the excitement as young women leaders, representing women's groups from around the country, come together - - many for the first time - - to describe their work, goals and dreams for women in their country. As they share lessons learned, network and create women-to-women bridges, a strengthening of the collective mission to serve and empower women becomes tangible. The workshop will also feature the democratic election of four Emerging Leaders to participate in Jagriti's 2005 leadership training program in the U.S. As witnesses to this election and the women's stories, Jagriti travelers validate the courageous efforts of local women to improve their lives and realize their dreams. We will arrive as strangers and leave as friends and global sisters.

Women's Groups

Afghan Women's Network (AWN) includes approximately 30 NGO's working to empower Afghan women and ensure social justice and equality. Due to the ways in which the Network creates partnerships and encourages the collaboration of ideas, through advocacy and lobbying, AWN has produced 143 women journalists and held sit-ins for peace and security. Recent efforts included a press conference to rally women to raise their voices to participate in the political elections to implement the constitution and to vote.

Educational Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan (ECW) provides support, education and training to poor and widowed Afghan women who do not have access to jobs or schooling outside of the home ECW currently offers classes to more than 300 women in a variety of subjects including literacy, English language, embroidery, tailoring and handicrafts. More than 500 women have completed ECW's training, enabling them to generate an income from the goods they produce.

New Afghan Women's Association (NAWA), formed in 2002, aims to further democracy and women's rights by encouraging women to participate in reconstructing a new Afghanistan. The organization's goal is to raise awareness and support Afghan women and girls by promoting their education through home schools.

Afghan Women's Welfare Department (AWWD) was established to deal with women-related emergency needs and to provide services to Afghan refugee women. AWWD provides community based programs, especially in refugee camps where the most vulnerable women live. The goal of the organization is to elevate the educational and social status of Afghan women within the family, Afghan community, and the world at large. In addition to work in Pakistan, since 2001 AWWD is now offering computer classes and English language instruction to women in Kabul.

World Organization for Mutual Afghan Network (WOMAN), founded in 2002, aims to "educate, train and empower women not only to become self-sufficient but to play a very important role in their family as well." With a holistic approach, WOMAN teaches widows quality sewing and jewelry-making skills to help them earn higher wages, offers literacy classes and scholarship programs, and implements health clinics to serve Afghan women.

Other Points of Interest

Visit girl's schools, home schools and an orphanage and discuss with local teachers and students the role of education in transforming Afghan society
Visit Kabul Museum, the National Gallery and other historic sites to learn more about the Afghanistan's vibrant cultural and artistic heritage
Visit religious shrines and mosques to better understand the role of religion in daily life
Paghman, situated about 45 minutes west of Kabul City, gives us a glimpse of rural life and health and educational opportunities for girls and women
Visit the remnants of the Royal Palace and the restored Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both symbols of an earlier era
Visit and group meeting with the Minister of Women's Affairs
Support the local economy by a visit to an Afghan emporium on famous Chicken Street.

Security and Safety

The Jagriti International will take all necessary precautions to secure the safety and well being of all participants. Working with local tourist, government and non-government officials and accompanied at all times by local experts, we will seek to provide the maximum experience at minimum risk. The inherent risks of travel must, however, be assumed by each individual participant.

Cost:

$1,400 (not including international airfare) Price Includes:

Double room accommodations in a local guesthouse (add $250 for single room)
Two meals per day
Local transportation
All program activities
Entrance fees
Trip leaders and guides
Translators
Preparatory reading materials
$100 tax-deductible donation to women's organizations visited
International airfare, visas, tips and personal expenses are NOT include

How to Join an Awakening Journey

Please contact the Jagriti International by e-mail, info@jagriti-international.org or by telephone 805-969-9092 for an application. We must receive your application and a deposit of $500, 45 days prior to departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Visa or MasterCard are welcome. This trip will be limited to 15 participants so please register early.

Sign-up now

Web Sites of Interest

Afghanistan: A Country Study - The Library of Congress http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/aftoc.html

U.S. State Department, Travel Advisory and Visa Information: http://travel.state.gov/afghanistan.html

Centers for Disease Control, Health and Immunization Information http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm

Information about Travelers' Insurance
http://www.travelinsure.com

General Country Information
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/af.html

News
http://afghanistannews.net

Afghanistan Online
http://www.afghan-web.com

Women in Afghanistan: Fact Sheet
http://www.savingwomenslives.org

Sightseeing in Afghanistan: Lonely Planet - Destination Afghanistan
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/middle_east/afghanistan