Edmonton Cares

In previous postings I’ve talked about the wonderful work that the School of Leadership Afghanistan (SOLA) does here in Kabul to educate and prepare Afghanistan’s young women for leadership roles in their country.   Working quietly behind the scenes back in Edmonton, my lovely and talented wife N, along with my lovely and talented former squad mate JS, have been raising funds in support of SOLA.  Through their efforts and the generosity of members of the Edmonton Police Service, our families, and our friends, N and JS raised enough money to purchase 11 Kobo e-readers and a $300 gift certificate for SOLA.  Chapter’s bookstore generously loaded 55 books onto each e-reader, provided protective ‘skins’ for each e-reader, and offered continued technical support for SOLA.  

Acting Head of Mission Mr. MacKINNON and the Canadian Embassy generously hosted the event.

 The attraction of the Kobo e-reader is that all the e-readers can be synced to a single computer allowing each book to be installed on all 11 e-readers.  This is a great advantage to a school such as SOLA and will really stretch their fundraising dollars. E-books are cheaper to purchase than paper books, in fact many are free, and since they are available online there is no need to physically ship books to the school.  Essentially each book purchased or downloaded online will increase the SOLA library by 11 books.  It will assist the SOLA teachers and tutors a great deal as well.  This particular model of Kobo e-reader is also Wi-Fi ready so students can access the internet right from the e-reader.  The e-reader has a very long battery charge and has the capacity to store hundreds of books.  It is light, durable and travels very well.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet the SOLA staff and students and present the e-readers.  The event was generously hosted by the Canadian Embassy.  Acting Ambassador Mr. Phil MacKINNON welcomed the girls, congratulated them each on their academic achievements, thanked them for their commitment to Afghanistan, and encouraged them to follow their dreams.  Afterwards each of the girls introduced themselves and told us a little bit about how much SOLA has changed their lives and affected their opportunities for the future.  These young women were very impressive and were such confident public speakers.  One young woman had spoken her first English words only three weeks earlier.  For many it was their very first time riding an elevator. 

The girls were extremely thankful for the e-readers and could hardly believe what they were holding.  It was clear to me that the generosity of Edmonton’s police family deeply affected the staff and students of SOLA.  We take education, reading, and technology for granted but for these girls it is a rare and fleeting privilege.  It’s a fact of life here that an entire family will only be able to muster the resources to educate one or two of its children.  That’s a lot of pressure and responsibility and these girls certainly take their education seriously. 

All smiles

The event was unqualified success and everyone in attendance was lifted and inspired.  The staff members at the Canadian Embassy were wonderful hosts and visited with the girls over tea and cookies afterwards.  Acting Ambassador McKINNON asked me pass along his personal thanks and appreciation to the members of the Edmonton Police Service, N and JS, and our families and friends who generously donated the e-readers.  A number of businesses in Edmonton also showed their support: All Seezeon Signs, Chapters Bookstore, Erin Building Maintenance, Home Base Signs, Monier Construction, and Western Realty. Rest assured that your efforts and kindness are truly appreciated by strangers half way around the world.  It was a very special day and I am thankful.  

SOLA students meeting Embassy Staff

 I’ll leave the final words for one of the SOLA students who also works as the school’s Executive Assistant:

Dear Ken,

Hope to be fine and doing well and that you would have enjoyed the
presentation for SOLA group. Today the presentation was essential
learning for SOLA's students. Many of SOLA students liked meeting with
Canadian embassy elements. I am thankful to you and your prestigious
colleagues for the hospitality and gifting the priceless gifts of
E-Readers. I believe that SOLA student will use it in a benifited way
that you consider of.

WS,
Excutive Assistant of SOLA

The SOLA staff and students with their new Kobo e-readers courtesy of members of the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton small businesses, family, and friends.  Special thanks were extended by Mr. MacKINNON to N and JS for their efforts.

Visit the SOLA homepage at http://www.sola-afghanistan.org/Home

Thanks for checking in.

Ken.