AFGHANISTAN UNVEILED TO SEATTLE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. - Robert Alan

They filed, barefoot and silent down the long hall, boys first followed by girls, to a room where a woman in red pants and a beautifully embroidered red tunic stood silently awaiting them. She pointed to one side of a tape line for the boys to sit down, while the girls went to the other side, facing her. They sat "criss cross applesauce" in the darkened room, their eyes drawn to a large map of Afghanistan and surrounding countries projected on the wall. On this December day the entire fourth grade of Coe Elementary School was about to take an "armchair adventure" to North Central Afghanistan to see what life was really like there, and to make some sobering comparisons. Their guide's name was Julia Bolz, a former Seattle business immigration attorney turned international activist. I was lucky enough to be a substitute teacher in one of the fourth grade classes, and to feel the impact of a very special presentation.

During the next forty-five minutes they learned that schools are in short supply, and often attended only by boys. Never are boys and girls allowed to be together, playing, or socializing. They learned that Afghan families often live on $1.00 a day, and have no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Families live in structures made of mud. With no money for furniture, people sit on dirt floors with their feet under them. They learned that the family hierarchy goes from adult male, to male child, to adult female, to female child in that order, with adult males receiving the first and most of any portion or possession. Children daily get up as early as 5:00 a.m. to fetch water, often walking more than l5 minutes to get a substance almost as precious as gold. Each person in the family is entitled to a bucket a day, and depending on the family size, this could mean many trips back and forth to the well for the young water-carriers. To bring this message home several Coe students had the chance to try lifting heavy buckets of water, and hoisting them with help upon their heads. During this eye-opening adventure, hats with various meanings (celebratory, everyday, mosque, different ethnic groups, etc.) were given to random students - boys first, of course. The hats were varied and often colorful. Girls were shown burkas, and two were able to try them on. They covered every inch of the female body, with only a small slatted area for looking out. The girls reported they were hot, heavy, and uncomfortable. Coe students sat enraptured as their "armchair field trip" unfolded.

In addition to showing what life is like for most Afghan children, Ms. Bolz was bringing thanks from students at a girls' school constructed with funds donated by school communities like Coe. Books, pencils and paper had been sent to Afghan girls, and cards of appreciation were returned. A new roof is now needed at this school for girls and a drive is on to raise money for that. I was sold on the idea and will definitely make a contribution. This happened on Friday and it has been on my mind ever since. Changing weapons for textbooks is one of the goals. Bringing about understanding of each others' cultures is another. To me, Julia Bolz, and others like her, are true heros as they make a difference one day, one donation, and one dream at a time.

I encourage each of you to log on to http://bigthink.com/juliabolz to see some short videos by Julia about her work. The book, Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, will bring further enlightenment and inspiration about another man's effort to change the world one school at a time. Check out this website as well: http://www.threecupsoftea.com/.