Kabul's Bala Hissar: Narrated by Lt. Col. Mike Holmes

Army Lt. Col. Mike Holmes narrates a short video on Kabul's Bala Hissar. Rich in history, the Bala Hissar is a must stop for anyone who has the opportunity to visit Kabul now or in the future.

Afghan National Civil Order Police deliver

Six-year-old Sirya looks on as her classmates receive school supplies from Afghan National Civil Order Police members Oct. 7 in Kabul. Not sure what to make of it all, she sat on the window ledge outside her school room sucking on her fingers. Later, when she too received supplies she said she likes the "notebooks and pencils." (Photo by G. A. Volb)

A young school boy fixes his gaze to the school supplies in the hand of an Afghan Civil Order Police member. ANCOP members delivered supplies to his school Oct. 7 in Kabul. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Afghan school girls wait for supplies being handed out by members of the Afghan Civil Order Police Oct. 7 at Amir Dost Muhammad Khanmore school in Kabul. The children literally risk their lives for a better education. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The dingy-yellow structure sat 50-feet off the main highway with two stories of classrooms darkened due to a lack of light fixtures – heavily-armed guards patrolled the grounds protecting grade schoolers attending the school.

From the windows peered the faces of children, preteen and older, girls and boys, all willing to risk their lives for a better future through education. The local Afghan National Civil Order Police contingent, willing to do its part to ensure the school’s success, arrived with thousands of dollars worth of school supplies.

What began as a community relations venture between coalition mentors and their Afghan National Civil Order Police counterparts in April, now stood ready to go nationwide following donations to the school here Oct. 7.

ANCOP representatives handed out pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, glue sticks, and crayons to the student population of Amir Dost Muhammad Khanmore. It was the first of its kind, according to coalition mentors, since the entire program was planned and executed by Kabul’s Afghan Civil Order Police.

Such ventures by Afghan National Security Force components look to make a difference in communities, build relationships and improve their own credibility among citizens.

“We began the program seven months ago,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Brian Garbinski, senior enlisted advisor to ANCOP, “but this trip marked the first executed entirely by the civil order police. They’re essentially self-sufficient now.”

Garbinski said they try to make up to three visits to different provinces delivering school supplies and clothing each month, but always stop by the Amir Dost School because they consider it ground zero for the program.

ANCOP Commander Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sharif Amin wants to see “every student with, not just one notebook for all of their courses, but one for each class.

“Our people, especially the students, are always happy to receive school supplies that help further their education,” said Sharif, “but we’re also delivering clothing, medical supplies and food when we can. I want to see similar efforts in Gardez, Herat, Kandahar and Helmand too, not just Kabul.”

First-grader Sirya wasn’t quite sure what to make of all the goodies being dropped off at her school as she stood on a ledge behind a broken window screen – but she knew what she likes.

“I like the notebooks,” the six year old said shyly, fingers in her mouth, “and the pencils too.” Her reaction was typical of the children, and exactly what ANCOP was hoping for.

“This shows the people of Afghanistan that ANCOP cares about their future,” said Garbinski, originally from Union, New Jersey. “Such programs help build trust and respect between both parties.”

As the students ran off into their classes, their hands full of supplies, smiles could be seen from behind the warped, discolored windows of the school house. A simple gesture by ANCOP had, seemingly, made a difference in the lives of the people they serve.

Women owned businesses support Afghan security

KABUL, Afghanistan – Women-owned and operated businesses supporting Afghan National Security Forces here have signaled gender empowerment, social progress and improved industrial infrastructure.

For 29-year-old Angela, deputy managing director of one such company, it’s a bit more than a job. While the company produces some 64 products --from sleeping bags to socks -- and plans on growing from 12 employees to more than 200 in the near future, she has a far greater goal in mind.

“Our mission is to empower all women and children,” she said with pride. “Especially in rural areas where there is very little in the way of classes for women; we want to teach them the law, about human rights and skills they can use in life.”

But first things first, as Angela knows her goals won’t be realized unless the business succeeds in meeting customer demands for quality, quantity and timeliness. Despite the seriousness of her business in today’s Afghanistan, highlighted by a small army of security personnel dotting the factory landscape, they’re making the most of the opportunity.

“We’re having fun,” the well-spoken Angela said, “but as is the case with any business, it’s difficult in the beginning while we’re still developing our strategies, our plans to succeed and to expand. It’s very important that we focus on the quality of materials, produce products acceptable to our customers, and that we meet their deadlines for delivery.”

It was in August that the group of women put their plans into motion after being awarded one of three women-owned business contracts from Kabul Regional Contracting Contingency. Such successes are the culmination of initiatives from ISAF’s Afghan First Policy, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan and Combined Security Assistance Command – Afghanistan’s local acquisition program management team, and the Central Command’s Contracting Command.

NTM-A’s chief of acquisitions and contract management agrees that Angela and her company face certain challenges, but not insurmountable ones.

“Entrepreneurs who take up the challenge have to work extremely hard to adopt new manufacturing infrastructure and processes to produce products that meet our demand for quality as well as affordability,” said Army Col. Anthony Pelczynski, a 1983 graduate of Virginia Tech. “Many companies are now building brand new facilities or significantly upgrading existing facilities, purchasing new equipment and hiring new work forces to meet the demand for locally produced commodities for the ANSF.

“There is a new spirit of optimism in these factories and facilities,” he continued. “The large orders we place for items such as uniforms, boots and other individual clothing items to meet the rapid fielding of the ANSF enables the businesses to cover a lot of the risks associated with new starts. It is the first step to self sufficiency. “

Pelczynski also pointed out there are collateral benefits associated with these contracts. As requirements transition from initial fielding to sustainment rate quantities, the companies will have the resources and skills to branch out – to develop new markets and new opportunities with reduced risks.

“Some even invest in local vocational education centers to develop people with the specific skill sets needed to operate and sustain their business; skills required include accounting, program management, production control and quality inspections, plant facility management, and information management,” said Pelczynski. “Some manufacturers are starting to offer literacy classes, child care, and meals for their employees. This is very progressive management.”

Both NTM-A and CSTC-A want to encourage positive examples like this, companies who manage their assets and human resources with exceptional results. It’s hoped that over time this positive movement will permeate and lift up a culture and people who have been in an armed struggle for over 30 years.

And that fits right into Angela and the rest of her management team’s plans, as they’re already preparing for the future when the company will diversify and offer programs that benefit her employees and Afghanistan society as a whole.

“We’ve spent a long time in war, so there are a lot of women in Afghanistan who are uneducated,” said 19-year-old female manager Arzoo. “In fact, many don’t even know their own religion or what their rights are under Islam -- so education is a priority. If we’re able to educate them, they will educate their children and the rest of their family; and that will make for a better Afghanistan.