Solidarity with Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the least developed countries in the world. Among the adult population (above 15 years of age) 72% are illiterate. Difficult access to drinking water, limited access to healthcare, high unemployment rate and lack of effective system solutions leave the country in a position where it is dependent on foreign aid*.
Polish Humanitarian Action has been active in Afghanistan since 2002. Its priority is educational projects, based on system solutions that make the achievement of long-term goals possible. Training teachers, supporting education of children and teenagers, activating women, rebuilding schools and improving the infrastructure of educational establishments – all this enables the citizens of Afghanistan to develop their educational abilities and social activity.
“Solidarity with Afghanistan” is part of the social campaign “A test of solidarity” which promotes solidarity in its transnational aspect. After receiving 30,000 postcards, the Solidarity Centre Foundation will donate 30,000 PLN to Education Action – a campaign of the Polish Humanitarian Action which also runs educational projects in Afghanistan.
*Based on: Afghanistan. Educational materials for schools, Polish Humanitarian Action, Warsaw 2009.
Afghanistan. Thirst for life
Photography exhibition by Marcin Suder
In 2009, Marcin Suder spent a month in Afghanistan, first in Kabul, then in the distant villages of Malistan, Kapisa and Bamian. His photographs represent people whom he met on his journey, among others children working in the street, students of a school for the blind, village families in their daily routines. In Kapisa he took photographs of children studying in a school building with no glass in windows and no desks and in Bamian he pictured girls walking to school for one hour in snow.
Presentation of the exhibition in Gdansk:
18-31 August 2010 Tuesday to Sunday,
opening hours: 12-6 pm
GALLERY PIONOVA | st. Olejarna 2, Gdansk
17 August, 6 pm - opening of an exhibition combined with a screening of the film "Kites" and tasting of Afghan dishes
FREE ADMISSION
Organizers of the exhibitions are: Polish Humanitarian Action and Melon Studio.
Exhibition is co-financed by the Education for Democracy Foundation under the 2009 Polish aid program of Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I believe that each of us can do so much and that it is up to us what the world will be like. We have a great strength and if we use it wisely, we can make the world a better place.
Let’s show our solidarity! Let us not forget that we are not alone in this world. For most Poles the countries of the South remain unexplored lands. People in those countries need our interest and our help. We should encourage our children to think of their Afghan peers. Let them consider what each of them can do to bridge the enormous gap between the rich Europe and the countries of the South. After all, we do care for our young people to show solidarity with others.
To express solidarity means to feel responsible for the fate and development of the world.
Janina Ochojska
President of the Polish Humanitarian Action
