Two words down, hundreds to go!! Tashakor means "Thank You", and Lutfan means "Please". After teaching three 2-hour classes, I am finally picking up a few words in Farsi. Our translator has offered to give us lessons in reading, speaking and writing Farsi so hopefully I can pick it up quickly!! Our media and public relations classes have been well received and we are now being asked to provide classes four days a week to meet the needs of the different Ministries who want their employees to attend. Wow!! We never estimated having over 70 interested participants or having the Gov. Media Info Center as our second work place. But, I am honored to help in whatever way possible. Some of our classroom discussions have even focused on ways to respond and support the public during crisis situations and how to build the governments credibility.
Other than teaching, my days have been filled with absorbing all of the new "joint" doctrine and preparing a few projects having to do with increasing Afghan government communications across the country. At this time, the number one form of communication with the public are local and regional radio stations. The fantastic thing about radios is that they do not require a power source. The unfortunate thing about radio stations is that they are not strong enough to broadcast the same message across the whole country. My hope is to help the Afghan media and government find a cost efficient way to communicate to the farthest regions of this country and to help the people see that "giving peace a chance" by not harboring terrorists, by listening to their local elected officials, by finding ways to provide an education for their children, will bring them from fear to hope.
I've attached a few pictures: Three wonderful Afghan women I work with at GMIC and I; Lt. Adam Clampit and I having lunch with Afghans working at our base...we ate something that was delish but I don't know what it was!!
Good day for now.
Looks like your doing what you've always done, helping someone else. Capt. remember your making a difference in all of our life's. Thanks--GOD be with you, keep up God's work. Salam Aleikum--Daddy
ReplyDeleteThe Afghan women look so friendly and so do the Afghans who are having lunch with you. It's a wonderful thing when people can come together from so different a background and learn to listen to each other. I know you WILL learn the language and you WILL help teach them yours so in the end both of you will see a CHANGE. Giving them hope like you said is a good beginning.
ReplyDeleteTake care and tashakor for your service. MOM
You look happy sis. I am so proud of you and what you are doing there. You will learn enough of the language to communicate. There is so little time to acomplish everything you would like to, but it has feel good knowing you are doing something you are trained to do and you injoy it also.Keep smiling, it lets us know from your pictures that you are comfortable doing your job. Everyone back at home miss you. Stay safe and keep doing what you do to make a difference on your side of the world.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Angel