AFGHANISTAN UPDATE
Previous and Ongoing Programs (2000-2001)

Health
As we stated in our June 2001 brochure, MEPO runs two free Mother-Child Health care clinics, Solh and Iman (“Peace” and “Faith”), in two eastern provinces of Afghanistan (Nangrahar and Laghman). These two clinics provide complete free check-ups, lab tests, medicines, vaccines and pre- and post-natal care to needy people.

MEPO has been providing a full budget for operation of these two clinics.
Note: These clinics have continued operations even during the transition from the Taliban regime up to today.

Education
In the summers of 2000 and 2001, MEPO established several home schools for girls during the Taliban regime when girls did not have a right to education.

With the exception of two or three of these schools during the war, most of MEPO’s home schools survived into operation today, fortunately now in an open atmosphere of tolerance and encouragement.

Vocational Trainings
Our vocational programs initiated in the summer of 2001 included carpet-weaving and tailoring/handicrafts training programs each for ten widowed women. The programs provided them with a salary during the 8-month trainings, and upon graduation provided graduates with the necessary materials to be able to earn an independent living.

These programs were successfully carried out even through the political transition.

A word about Jalozai refugee camp:

Thanks to the strong response to MEPO’s call for immediate help for the desperate people of the Jalozai refugee camps in Pakistan who last summer were barely surviving in tents made of scraps of plastic, MEPO was able to donate 300 decent tents and $500 worth of food supplies to needy families to help alleviate some of their hardship and suffering.