Support Farm Families in Kunar Province

The California National Guard's 40th Infantry Division Agribusiness Development Team is working in Kunar Province, Afghanistan to support the needs of farmers and their families through a series of veterinary clinics held throughout the region. In this rural area where there are no cell phones, radios and few have electricity, farm animals are the only currency, and healthy animals mean increased wealth. Your support of this project go towards purchasing ropes and children's shoes which were designated as high priority by the ADT Deputy Commander, LTC Max Velte.

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Request from LTC Max Velte with California ADT in Naray, Afghanistan

"My unit spends significant time with local villages providing large scale veterinary treatment (usually +500 animals per day)  and building check dams, gabions (i.e., watershed projects), and introducing modern farming technology and processes where requested and where feasible.

The one thing that hurts my heart more than any other is the poor condition of the children's shoes.  Sometimes they are barefoot, sometimes their shoes are in shreds, or sometimes (in one case in particular), a little girl brought to me her family cow for treatment (i.e., multiple vaccinations, parasite treatment, and vitamins)  ... the poor little girl was wearing a mans shoe ... probably a size 10 or so ... and her tiny little feet were sliding in and around as she was desperately trying to control this +500 lb milk cow. The girl, an Afghani girl, was about 8 years old and tiny.  

_{Badly worn, too big or no shoes at all are common for children}
So, while we could  use everything on your list, the one thing that would help us, here, right  now, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, is children's shoes, mostly, sandals  ... all kids sizes ... maybe more small and real small for the little kids,  especially the girls which get the worst of resources in this  culture.  The sandal should be DURABLE, preferably solid rubbery kind of mold.  They wear sandals in the summer here, and in the winter with snow.


Our VETCAPS (veterinary civic action programs) usually treat about 500 to 600 animals per day. We have 2 VETCAPS planned this month, 4 planned next month in the Pech River Valley, Kunar. Half of the livestock at a typical VETCAP are cows and half of them are usually on rope that is of very poor quality and unsafe...especially when kids are in tow.

A portion of the sheep with really small kids are often without rope and that makes it difficult for the little guys to control their animals. So I would generally say for each VETCAP, we need about 150 each long strong ropes for cattle and about 100 each smaller ropes for sheep."

Use of funds
We are a 501c3 nonprofit and your donation is tax deductible. 100% of all project donations (excluding credit card processing fees) will be used for direct project expenses (i.e., purchase and shipping of the needed goods and services). We do not deduct fees or expenses for organization overhead. Those expenses are funded separately. Donation Policy Your donation will be earmarked for this project. Donations in excess of those needed by this project will be used to support other Spirit of America projects.