Aid in Action

Communities Join to Build a School

The Government Responds to Community Need

Goshta District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan  | Saturday, October 11, 2008

Children in Goshta now study inside classrooms instead of tents thanks to the efforts of the community and the cooperation of the provincial and district governments.

“Our children used to stroll through the streets, fighting and bullying each other,” explained community elder Haji Delawar Khan. “Now they are studying at Goshta School and are busy with school studies.”

In 2007, community elders asked the Nangarhar Education Department to build a school for their children. In partnership with the Education Department, USAID built and furnished eight classrooms that accommodate 364 students.  Seven instructors now teach the district’s boys and girls at the new Goshta School.

The project was successful because of the cooperation between the government and local communities. After negotiations with the Nangarhar Governor, representatives from three local tribes agreed to collaboratively provide security during construction of the school, overcoming their differences for the sake of the community.

Photo: USAID/Afghanistan

Before

Students attended classes in UNICEF tents or outside on the ground with rocks demarcating classroom boundaries.

Photo: USAID/Afghanistan

After

A quick response from the Ministry of Education now means children can study inside classrooms, away from the harsh Afghan weather conditions.