Bpeace in Afghanistan

Teacher Rabia (left) makes music by rhythmically tapping her hands on a food tray, while a little girl dances. The kids at Habiba's day care were beautiful. Paula is a sucker for kid's faces. The center was 32 kids in a 12x12 foot room, very small but with teachers and care providers who sincerely care about them. The honest affection Habiba and her teachers have for the kids was palpable.

It may look like chaos, but considering that there were more than 30 children in a small space, they were remarkably well behaved toward each other and the teachers.

Teacher Rabia (red dress) helps a child with writing Dari letters.

It was impossible not to be touched by the room full of 32 little kids who delighted us with singing and dancing this morning at Habiba's childcare center. Habiba kept the rhythm by tapping her hands on a food tray while, one-by-one, boys and girls came forward to sing a special song. There was a love song about mothers, a patriotic song about Afghanistan, and finally a song about a rabbit. Habiba was very grateful for the toys, dolls, and supplies provided by her mentors, Jessica and Janine. Marla, Athena, Paula, Laila and Najib spent the morning with Habiba learning about her hopes, dreams, and plans for a new childcare center. She has a business plan, which she has already updated since our weekend class, she's bought land with her own money, and has had plans drawn up by construction engineers. The big hurdle now is getting the money to make it all happen.

In the afternoon Marla and Laila had a meeting with Rob Henning and Neal Donahue at On the Frontiers Group (OTF) where they discussed the possibility of an all woman consulting company, which is an idea we've been cultivating with our associates, Kamela, Latifa and Nelab. Rob and Neal see a big opportunity for a team of talented Afghan women offering their services in business development and market research.

The next stop for Marla and Laila was FINCA, a microfinance institution where they discussed opportunities for financial collaboration.

We have just one more day to go to complete our mission. It's quiet around here without Team 1. There's lots left to do before we get on the plane on Thursday.