Hi Brenda,

Has there been any attempt to meld this training with Mine 
Risk Education?

I worked that issue and landmines for a number of years.

Maggie Buse`

---- Original message ----

>Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:04:31 -0500

>From: "Daphne Greenberg" <ALCDGG at langate.gsu.edu>  

>Subject: Re: [WomenLiteracy] More on literacy programs in 

Afghanistan  

>To: <womenliteracy at dev.nifl.gov>

>

>Brenda,

>I am wondering whether you see an equal amount (more or 

less) of women and men in the literacy programs. Are the 
classes co-ed? Do the men and women express similar literacy 
goals?

>Daphne

>

>>>> BBell at edc.org 11/21/2005 4:57:25 AM >>>

> 

>

>Hello all -

>

> 

>

>I'm in the midst of an interesting discussion with some of 

the lead trainers for the Literacy and Community Empowerment 
Program.  I posed some of David's questions about the 
history of literacy in Afghanistan - starting a discussion 
that has sent several women off to get more exact 
information, which they should have by tomorrow.

>

> 

>

>Meanwhile, in the interest of keeping a discussion going 

with you on this list, here is a summary of what a group of 
older Afghan women and one younger man had to say:  

>

> 

>

>"The early literacy courses for adults were called 'elder 

literacy.'  The courses lasted for 3 months and the methods 
used were memorization and drill.  While the classes were 
mostly for men, there were courses for women in basic 
literacy and some that were related to vocational skills.  

>

> 

>

>"During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the number of 

literacy courses increased, but according to the discussion, 
the level of learning dropped.  "Really they were using 
literacy for political objectives.  Literacy groups were 
formed but not much learning took place.  They were used to 
implement the objectives of the government.  Not many people 
became literate."   

>

> 

>

>They also said that during the 'mujahadeen time' when the 

U.S. backed the mujahadeen fight against the Russians, 
literacy texts were also politicized. They cited the now-
famous (in some circles) example of numeracy activities in 
which the items to be counted were guns.  

>

> 

>

>"Now when we go into villages with our literacy program, 

some people are very suspicious.  They want to make sure 
that our program is not going to be like other literacy 
programs that 'misled' the people. We tell them no, it is 
not the same.  You can look at our teaching materials and at 
our lesson guides and see that this is a program that will 
help villagers get the skills they need to develop their 
communities. We are promoting peace and empowerment. And we 
include quotations from the Qu'ran in our materials.  This 
helps us."

>

> 

>

>Perhaps some other members of this discussion list know 

some of this history and can add more!

>

> 

>

>Brenda

>

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------

>National Insitute for Literacy

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Margaret Buse`
Project Coordinator
Learning Technology and Leadership Education/Workforce Improvement Network
JMU HELPS/Workforce Development Campus/
Career Development Academy/Reel to Real