Face To Face: Praying with the 2007 CWS Calendar

PRIVILEGED LEARNING
The school is simple and needs repair, but that doesn't deter these Afghan students in a refugee camp in northern Pakistan. Most were born in the camp, the children of parents who fled during 24 years of civil war that devastated Afghanistan. CWS was one of the few agencies that worked with the Afghanis during all the difficult years of war. And it continues to help at the refugee camps with basic needs and with education. These boys are the lucky ones, as many Afghan children in Pakistan must work to survive, often as carpet weavers, a traditional children's craft. "We start at the age of four or five years old," explains 14-year-old Ajmal, himself a master weaver. "I have to work 12 hours a day and don't have time for schoolwork." In this part of the world, school is a luxury, something that kids know may lead them to a better life.

Along with educating children, CWS is also preparing adult refugees to return to Afghanistan, as well as training health workers in diet, medical techniques, and communicable diseases. "As the refugees go back to their home villages," says Marvin Parvez, CWS Country Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, "CWS is with them again, assisting them with the basic services that are crucial to rebuilding their country and their lives."

"Taliban did not like schools. They taught young boys how to fight instead of how to serve humanity."

Mayam, Afghan refugee

Facts of Life:
Number of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan: 2.6 million

Number of Afghan refugees who have returned home from Pakistan since 2002: 3 million

	PRIVILEGED LEARNING The school is simple and needs repair, but that doesn't deter these Afghan students in a refugee camp in northern Pakistan. Most were born in the camp, the children of parents who fled during 24 years of civil war that devastated Afghanistan. CWS was one of the few agencies that worked with the Afghanis during all the difficult years of war. And it continues to help at the refugee camps with basic needs and with education. These boys are the lucky ones, as many Afghan children in Pakistan must work to survive, often as carpet weavers, a traditional children's craft. "We start at the age of four or five years old," explains 14-year-old Ajmal, himself a master weaver. "I have to work 12 hours a day and don't have time for schoolwork." In this part of the world, school is a luxury, something that kids know may lead them to a better life. Along with educating children, CWS is also preparing adult refugees to return to Afghanistan, as well as training health workers in diet, medical techniques, and communicable diseases. "As the refugees go back to their home villages," says Marvin Parvez, CWS Country Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, "CWS is with them again, assisting them with the basic services that are crucial to rebuilding their country and their lives." "Taliban did not like schools. They taught young boys how to fight instead of how to serve humanity." Mayam, Afghan refugee Facts of Life: Number of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan: 2.6 million Number of Afghan refugees who have returned home from Pakistan since 2002: 3 million
	What was your elementary school like? How does it compare with the circumstances of these children?
	Education is like a golden ornament, and like a bracelet on the right arm. Sirach 21:21
	Loving God, these children may lack desks, chairs, and windows, but they possess a desire to learn despite all that might seek to thwart them. Bless their youthful dedication to grow. May their commitment inspire me to greater action on behalf of all your children.
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