Silver Spring, Maryland-The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Afghanistan recently completed a six-month education project in Jowzjan Province, Northern Afghanistan.

The project rehabilitated the Oramast Elementary School and provided it with 100 wooden desks and chairs, a sports equipment kit, playground equipment and a water well, benefiting five surrounding villages. Due to these improvements, eight new classes were started, including three for girls. A girl's school was assisted with 50 wooden desks and chairs, glass for the windows of twenty classrooms, playground equipment, and volleyball nets. The Mirwaismina School and Jowzjan Orphanage were assisted with playground and sports equipment.

"Before, we did not have enough desks and chairs so many students had to sit on the dusty floor and our roofs were collapsing or had holes. During the winter, when it rained, it was terrible for the students. It was raining inside the classroom, and they were wet and cold. Many got sick. We also didn't have glass in the windows, and on winter days it was really cold for the students," commented Najmadeen, director of Oramast Elementary School.

Water and sanitation issues were also addressed by drilling hand-pump wells in the villages of Kutchilakhimonio, Kutchikhojimorzo, Mirvaismina, Kazontchi, Naowobod Jim Mahala and Harabkhona. Additionally, 187 hygiene and sanitation posters concerning hand washing were produced and distributed, and hygiene and sanitation activities were conducted in 23 schools.

The project, funded by the Government of the Faroe Islands, Hope for Humanity, HELP International and ADRA International, resulted in an "81% increase in school enrollment and a 75% increase in the number of children with access to clean water at school," reported Karla Leitzke, project manager for ADRA Afghanistan.

ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org. Photos available upon request.