By Sheldon Spackman and Josh Hall

A Better World seeking support to finish Afghan school projects

Mar 26, 2018 | 5:14 PM

A Lacombe-based humanitarian organization that makes investments into improving the lives of people in developing countries is looking for your support in completing one of its major projects this year.

Officials with A Better World say their ‘100 Classrooms’ project in Afghanistan is nearing completion with just some finishing touches required to truly finish the job.

The project involves the construction of 10 schools with 10 classrooms each in the northern Afghanistan City of Sheberghan. Eight of these schools are now complete with construction on the last two already underway and scheduled to be complete by later this summer.

However, Project Manager and Founder Azalea Lehndorff says four of the schools still need to be provided with lab equipment, library books and shelves. In addition, she says they would also like to equip Quanchugha Girl’s School with two or three more latrine stalls, all at a cost of roughly $15,000 – $20,000.

“The project was started in 2010,” says Lehndorff. “We’ve built 81 classrooms already and raised about $1.3 million. Progress on the last two schools is just simply the foundations have been laid and construction is ongoing right now and we’re hoping to have everything completed this summer and the students can start using the schools immediately after, so probably in August – September they’ll be able to start using the schools.”

project will take one year

Construction activity to start on hospital parkade expansion

12h ago

Red Deer man charged after police locate stolen vehicle

12h ago

City and County to collaborate on regional economic development with NRED grant

15h ago

Lehndorff says much of their support has been from local donors, including Laebon Homes and the Bontje family. “About 80-90 per cent of our funding has come from central Alberta.” 

Lehndorff explains that their role is to simply provide funding and support for construction, not to actually build the schools. She says that work is awarded to local contractors to help provide jobs in the area.

“We’re simply supporting the infrastructure development. Lots of students are learning in tents or simply in the outdoors. That’s where we kind of come in and it’s been a pretty good partnership.”

She says the communities contribute something as well, with some providing a security fence around the school or some providing toilets or latrines for the school facility.

The project has been close to Lehndorff’s heart right from the beginning as education was something she never took for granted in her own life.

“I think in a country where there’s war and girls don’t have a chance to learn, providing them with the opportunities to learn and pursue their own goals, I think it makes a huge difference for their future,” she explains. “Especially when girls are educated, they’re more likely to get their kids into school and it just continues on like that. That’s why it means a lot to me.”

“Ultimately, we want to get this project finished and then I’d like to go there and see those final schools and hold a bit of a celebration in central Alberta to thank all the people who have supported us,” she continues. “I think that will be really important. People have been with us for years, helping in different ways and it’s great to ask for money but it’s also really great when you can say ‘Hey, this is what we did with your money and the impact of it.’”

Lehndorff, who plans to begin a residency in general surgery as a physician this summer, says projects like these are always worthwhile when somebody’s life and future are being invested in.

Once finished, it’s anticipated over 17,000 Afghanistan students will benefit from an education earned at the 10 schools each year.