Bpeace in Afghanistan

Steve has provided this blessing to numerous people today. This was a result of a language error which transformed “God” into a “pumpkin”. Steve was corrected by an NBC journalist who was sharing our work space back at the hotel. We hope "God" forgives Steve for his vegetarian slip.

Today was kick-off Monday with a visit to the amazing Kamela who absolutely wowed Steve and Kate with her accomplishments since Kate and she last met in February. Her consulting business is booming (she has spent the last year traveling all over Afghanistan delivering gender and business training) and is at a ripe stage for investment to take it to the next level. She needs staff! The session included some hands on Microsoft excel spreadsheet work. We left with an agreement to ready the business plan asap. We also visited Kamela’s business associate in the gabion business and took lots of pictures of a new machine she requires to get this business moving . . .another business plan!

Marla and Susan spent the morning with Palwasha reviewing her application for Bucknell. Next week is the big video conference interview. News! Palwasha was a vision in pink, living up to her promise to bring color to Kabul.

Then is was off to find some money. Well, to see if we could get the scent of some. Bpeace met with Mark Meassick, Deputy Office Director Economic Growth for USAID. Their budget is $70 million annually for Afghanistan’s economic development! Marla tried to woo him and Susan tried to strong arm him, but none of the money is for Bpeace. Instead Mark provided sound advice, go ahead contacts and his “ personal endorsement” for our work.

The search for money then took Marla and Susan to BRAC and Gunendu Roy, Programme Coordinator of Microfinance. Their porfolio provides small enterprise loans. They have dispersed over $600,000 to men but are getting interested in the other gender and more specifically the women in our program. Next step is to have our mentees put together proposals . . .and maybe we will get some! But BRAC likes their loan amounts small so Marla and Susan remain on the hunt. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

We are off to spaghetti dinner with Rosemary . . . fun evening ahead . . .and lots of discussion about the shop she wants to open. See you in the morning all.