by Wahid Omar

03 May 2004

Kabul, Afghanistan: From day one of my assignment I started to write a manual to train teachers in Dari. My plan, admittedly ambitious, is to train the entire university’s teachers new learning methods. The manual is finished and will be introduced during a seminar as soon as time permits. I have also finished writing a manual in Farsi to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet, which will be used as a supplement for learning phonetics. Both manuals are have been printed with the generous support of the French embassy.

We are also discussing the issue of adapting the credit system. I have arranged the donation of books from my own university back in the United States and we have now probably the best-organized library in the University of Kabul. Thanks to the French embassy and the efforts of our chair, program coordinator, and other teachers, I would not be exaggerating when I say that our department is the best organized and equipped in the entire university.

Habib Suratgar was one of my teachers 25 years ago. When he saw me for the first time after so many years, tears came to his eyes and we were both very happy to see one another. I am proud of his courage and endurance for having stayed in Afghanistan during the wars. We have discussed the good ole days when the University of Kabul was a learning center full of life. I remember the time when I was student of this department and what made is special was the excellent learning environment, good teachers, and a good program. French universities recognized the department officially and graduate students have the possibility to continue their academic career in France.

Today we both know the difficulties and challenges ahead and both of us are committed to bring this department back to life and to the same level it was 25 years ago. Our students are very curious about me and are very eager to start the new semester with a new professor. I am extremely honoured to be back and as a UNV. I must say that I am not only a teacher who brings knowledge and hope, but also a counselor. Students have enormous learning skills, note taking, and organizational problems. Student life is not the same for various reasons due to the years of conflict, loss of a family member(s), and economical difficulties. They discuss with me their problems and I try to comfort them as best as I can. I discovered that they trust me because I offer them knowledge and experience, and since I am also Afghan with whom they feel they can discuss their problems.

Besides my university work, I also have my own volunteer organization called Afghans4Tomorrow, and as a director of education I am in charge of many projects. We are building a school in Wardack where girls will have an opportunity to study for the first time. Recently, we opened a training and vocational center in Kabul for girls and handicap children, finished building a mosque in Quarabagh thanks to Global Exchange, and we have given thousands of school supplies, teacher kits, and clothing items to many different schools. Last but not least, we are working with Engineers Without Borders to provide safe water for the district of Farza, an area in the northern plains where drought has severely damage the economy of many villages. With the cooperation of community leaders, villagers, EWB, and my personal commitment, the village received thousands of non-modified seed packages, school supplies, medicine, tailoring kits, and teacher salaries.

My commitment and priority is of course the University of Kabul but working in the field has helped me a great deal in understanding people’s problems and their lives and I shall adjust my teaching accordingly.