See Inside Quote of the Week 2. Personal Essays 6. Community "One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." 3. Opinion 7. Literary 4-5. News 8. Interview - Henry Miller

Saturday, August 27, 2016 Vol. 2, No. 50 Star Educational Society Weekly

Interstellar (adjective): situated or occurring between the stars; conducted, or existing between two or more stars

The Significance of Sport

- Message by Director of Star Sports Department and Physical Training -

greater health and well-being, as well as hold Futsal social, emotional, moral, physical, and tournaments psychological development .In short, to enhance sport has the potential to contribute to the active contribution positive development and stability of both of students and individuals and society as whole. consequently dictate the Star Educational Society is multi- significance of sport for their dimensional and has spread its wings heath and how sport can prove to bring changes in other aspects of our beneficial in efficient learning. people’s lives. Star Educational Society is Futsal tournaments not only an English language institution and its likes help steer away but also a small community of thinkers who youth and society from drug have dedicated themselves to developing addiction and create a sound the potential of talented Afghan youth. environment for the growth Star strives for a sound society and has of an advance community. always encouraged our youth to actively Similarly, we endeavor for quality participate in activities which can push us tournaments and to introduce forward. new emerging talents to the futsal s you all know, sport can bring Star believes that taking part in society and Futsal people together by giving them sports can promote good health and steer Federation to play in national teams. a sense of personal identity, as youth away from the tendency toward For example, Mohammad Yasin, well as feelings of group mem- narcotics and drug abuse. Sports are a Mohsen, Hussain, Hadi, the players bership and social identifica- vital ingredient for better physical and competing in 3rd and 4th Futsal tion.A mental strength and, therefore, Star has tournaments of Stra currently are the Sport holds a prominent place in organized several Futsal tournaments in national Futsal team members and our society and that the consumption, recent years which were highly welcomed struggle to win Afghanistan national valuation, and participation of sports by schools and other educational centers. and international awards. have potential for both positive and Moreover, the auspicious and unique Star Educational Society will negative outcomes and consequences. tournaments held by Star caused Sport hold its 5th Futsal tournament within Keep in mind, however, that sport also has and Olympics Federation Committee a couple of months. Besides, Star incredible potential to serve as a vehicle officials to attend, encourage and honor intends to organize chess and volleyball for positive youth development and social our Futsal tournaments. Besides, many tournament in near future. change. young and motivated athletes joined Star Finally, I can certainly claim that Star Clearly, sport shapes and maintains Futsal Team which is a great success for Educational Society has always been a many social values that are held in high Star community. consistent source of motivation for youths regard ,such as hard work and fair play, self Our intention of initiating and conduct and a big supporter of sport competitions. –discipline , sacrifice, and commitment to of Futsal tournaments are to trigger Let’s be the source of positive change and oneself and others. Research documents enthusiasm in our student community create a sound society. that sport participation can lead to and Star Educational Society students “JOIN US FOR A DIFFERNCE!” to participate in sport. Hence, we now

My Struggle Hazara assacre Continues in Free style cycling My G(irls)20 journey

One struggle that I feel like I have Afghanistan Interest is obvious on their faces. The It was April 2016 when I received overcome would place of sports has been asphalted. the exciting news that I was selected have to be being less The July 23rd, 2016 We can see as the G(irls)20 shy. Growing up I attack on peaceful obstacles all delegate representing used to be a really Hazara protesters was around area Afghanistan. shy girl who was just the deadliest attack for performing G(irls)20 is a globally very awkward. I feel since the fall of the different active social enterprise like throughout the Taliban regime in movements ... Page 6 years ... Page 2 2001. ... Page 3 ... Page 5 Vol.2, No. 50 Personal Essays and I’ll show you that I can bring it so relentlessly shaking his entire body. Da- down in a minute.” Kabir observed wood’s kite was cut off and he stomped his the blue kite and looked confused, feet on the ground, clenched his shaking “Huh? In a minute?” He said exact- hands and screamed out loud like a roaring The ly what I was thinking. beast. His scream was so loud and scary that The blue kite was momen- it filled my body with dread because I knew tarily flying above Dawood’s kite. It I was the one who would be blamed and I Kite seemed as if its flyer was not look- was the one who would be beaten. back home to grab his shoes, kite, string and ing for a fight, he was simply there I threw the spool down and ran towards spool and headed towards the hills with his to fly. The blue kite rode the winds almost an unknown direction. I kept running as friends. like a free bird. As the runner graciously fast as I could, I kept running until I recog- I overheard the boys’ conversation pulled it out of the skies, I heard the famil- nized the lack of air in my lungs, I kept run- while swinging myself from the branch of iar sound that kites make against the air, al- ning till my lungs hurt so badly that I could the apple tree. As they were leaving, I let go most as if someone was tearing paper right hardly breathe. I could have run to catch the of the tree branch and followed them. How- in my ear. It sounded just as sharp as the kite but doing so was the least I could care ever, when Dawood noticed me, he threw a noise that made my mother furious when about. “Come back here! You idiot, this is stone toward me, “Where do you think you it woke her up from her afternoon nap. I all your fault!” I could hear his voice, I could are going, Qadoo?” my brother shouted at never thought of it as an unpleasant sound hear the sound of his footsteps, I could hear me with his usual furious voice, “Go back but any sound can be unpleasant when it him breathing heavily like a beast running home! Why don’t you go play with kids doesn’t allow you to sleep. after me. “Stop or I will kill you, you little your own age?” I was only one year younger I knew why my brother chose that blue fool!” than him, but unlike Kabir and Mahmood kite. To him, it seemed like the kite was I ran and ran, I felt like I could continue who were almost equal in height, I was a flown by a little boy who didn’t know how running away from him for the rest of my head shorter than him. This gave them the to fight another kite, a little boy who was just life. I ran from one street to another, I stag- pretext to call me Qadoo a nickname that trying to keep the kite up in the air, nothing gered through the wide streets to enter the means short. more. Dawood always liked to fight those narrow ones, I didn’t know where I was I stopped and pretended to go back, that were weaker than him so that he could heading until I was faced with the dead end but I continued walking after them slowly. easily beat them. But this time, he had cho- of a street. I wanted to see what would happen, how sen the wrong challenger because that little There was no way out, I was breath- About the author: Nafis Ayazi is a Star many kites my brother could hunt or if he boy wasn’t as weak as he originally thought. ing hardly, barely able to stand on my own Alumna who is passionate about painting. would get hunted himself. “Qadoo, release more string, hurry up,” he two feet. I slowly turned around She recently started her studies at Parul Uni- After they prepared their kites and shouted at me with his ambitious tone. I expecting versity in Gujarat, India where she is major- strings, Mahmood decided to hold Kabir’s did as he asked me to, prepared the line to be met ing in Fine Arts. spool in order to help him fly his kite. Kabir’s as he got closer to the blue kite. Getting with my bright red kite was connected to its long closer to that kite was like trying to catch brother’s fu- It was a warm, yet windy afternoon, a yellow tail and while Dawood’s kite was a a rooster that was running off from a fight. rious face, my usual for the summers in Kabul. I sat under muted yellow that lacked a tail, it was vastly Dawood’s yellow colored kite kept brother who an apple tree and gazed at the colorful kites bigger than his friend’s. chasing the blue kite, and the blue kite kept had come to crowding the skies. The kites floated like Since Dawood was left without a part- ignoring it. It took the blue kite a couple of kill me for a kite. But small leaves gently swaying on a tree, some ner, he looked towards my direction and minutes to start the fight. Dawood could instead, I of them were so high up that they slowly dis- mumbled something I couldn’t grasp. He hardly reach it; I didn’t know how he could saw no one in appeared. shook his head with disappointment and possibly cut it. He got closer to the blue kite that narrow My attention was drawn by my older after a couple of seconds he shouted at me, and tried to get his string around it to pull street except brother’s friend, Kabir, who went to the “Hey Qadoo, come here!” I quickly walked it down, but couldn’t. In a split second the me and my front of our house to see if my older brother, toward him to stop him from repeating his other kite managed to get his string around shadow. My Dawood, wanted to join them in flying their rude words. “Here, take this. Be a man and Dawood’s and tugged. The kite was physi- brother had kites near the hills. “Hey Dawood! We want hold this spool for me. If you make a mistake cally pulled down but it was Dawood that long ago given to go kite running, the wind is good enough you don’t want to know what I would do to was moved even harder. He took more up chasing me, to fly kites and…” Kabir said, before he was you.” string, but I didn’t know if he intended on but I had not no- interrupted by Mahmood, his little brother, I always wondered why he treated me setting his kite free or trying to cut the other ticed. I sat in front “And many other boys have been flying so harshly, but nonetheless I was grateful to kite. of that wall and their kites, so it’s a good day to catch kites,” be his partner. At least I was able to observe Mahmood and Kabir had long forgot- rested my head on Mahmood finished. Mahmood had a habit the kites from up close, though I knew the ten about their own kite in the sky and in- the wall that had of interrupting Kabir whenever he spoke be- repercussions of agreeing to be his partner. stead watched the kites battle. The way the stopped me from cause he knew what Kabir had the intention He relentlessly teased and nagged me, but kites had their strings around each other running outside of of saying. My brother stared at the sky where it was his lack of skills that ultimately led to looked as if they were trying to strangle one the whole town. Sitting many of the colorful kites were visible. “I’m the kite’s demise. He flew the kite by rough- another. I wondered if they also noticed that there, I breathed with re- gonna bring them all down at once,” Da- ly swinging it from side to side, he let it go Dawood was no longer trying to show off. At lief, but I could not wood confidently mumbled to himself. higher, then violently jerked it closer. last the blue kite’s flyer got the chance to cut imagine Dawood joined them with the inten- He chose to take down a bright blue kite our kite and victoriously pulled it down. what tions of starting a fight with the other kite whose flyer seemed to be stationed at one of As the kite slowly dangled in the air, I awaited flyers and because he had nothing better the houses near the hills. “Kabir, do you see could see the anger in Dawood’s face, the me at to do. He was standing bare foot so he ran that blue kite?” Dawood asked. “Stand here anger in his loud voice, the anger that was home.

to me. Preschool was a very hard time of school. I feel like that really helps me for me. I came to a new country and to get to know people and just be more My Struggle met new people. I have one older sister open about myself. and she is one year older than me and Lately, I can say I am not that qui- we both went to the same preschool. I et and shy girl anymore and I am very About the Author: Aarzu is currently was very sad because I couldn't be in happy about that. I once thought becoming senior in high school, her mother the same class with my sister. I was a that I would always be that and two sisters came to the United States very shy person and throughout my el- quiet girl, but I have learned in the year 2002 when she was only two ementary school years, I never opened that you can do anything years old. Her father was killed by the up and talk to people outside of school. if you set your whole Taliban. She is planning to build a public I was always the one quiet girl peo- mind to it. I am library on the name of her late father in ple used to say. I really hated it because always trying to Afghanistan to help the Afghans have a that was not really me. I was a very make myself better education. scared, nervous little girl. Then junior be more out high school came around. But then we there and One struggle that I feel like I have moved to new city. From Livermore to make overcome would have to be being less Fremont, I was very nervous, but I told new shy. Growing up I used to be a really myself, "It is okay." "You will be fine." friends. shy girl who was just very awkward. I The first year at junior high was I learned feel like throughout the years, I have hard. I did make some friends, but I that being gotten out of my shell. To most people was still that quiet girl. 8 grade year yourself it is not a struggle, but for me it was. comes around and everything changes. is best It was very hard for me always going to I start talking to more people. Making you different schools because of moving. different types of groups of friends. I can I came here to the United States started talking to more people. Making be. when I was just two years old. Every- different circles of groups of friends. I thing here was very different and new started going out with friends outside Page 2 August 27th, 2016 Vol.2, No. 50 Hazara MassacreOpinion Continues in Afghanistan ues of Bamiyan, which had been the most crimination and injustice. The People’s High Council set a two- important historical and cultural symbol for In April of the current year, Afghan me- week deadline for the Afghan government . dia reported a sudden change to the route of to annul its discriminatory decision and to After the fall of the Taliban, Hazaras a 500 kV power transmission line originat- route the line through Bamiyan. They also took part in all political and democratic ing in Turkmenistan through Salang, rather threatened that Hazaras from all around the procedures of the new Afghanistan state. than Hazara-inhabited Bamiyan. world, but particularly in Afghanistan would However, systematic discrimination against Based on the 20-year electricity master carry out acts of civil disobedience and stage them continued. plan of Afghanistan prepared by a German protests. Despite the presence of the global com- firm named Fichtner, the line was expected After about two weeks passed, Hazaras munity in Afghanistan and billions of dol- to pass via Bamiyan after routing through staged a huge protest in Kabul and other lars in foreign aid to the country, very few the northern Afghan provinces. However, provinces on May 16, 2016. Around one mil- development projects were considered for the Afghan government, in a hidden session lion people participated in a protest in Kabul Hazaristan, the Hazara-inhabited areas of on April 30, 2016, decided to route the line in which they tried to reach the center of the country. There are few paved roads in through Salang, rather than the impover- the city to stage a sit-in in front of the presi- Hazaristan, schools of these areas are often ished Hazara-inhabited Bamiyan. While the dential palace. However, the government working without buildings and students government cited cost and length of time for blocked the path to the palace by blocking have to attend schools in open areas. construction as reasons for the change, be- roads with shipping containers. The huge The government has not built any hos- cause the Salang route incudes considerable crowd stayed in Dehmazang Square for About the Author: Basir Ahang is a Hazara pital or health center of the place where drawbacks, it can only be supposed that the hours and chanted slogans against system- poet, journalist and human rights activist Hazaras live and the few hospitals present real reason for the change was discrimina- atic discrimination. Although the majority of from Afghanistan. in Bamiyan have been built by international tory policies against Hazaras. protesters intended to remove the obstacles organizations such as the Agha Khan Foun- Following the change in the route of the to continue their march towards the city The July 23rd, 2016 attack on peaceful dation. line, Hazaras inside and outside Afghanistan center, the leaders of the Enlightenment Hazara protesters was the deadliest attack In Bamiyan, the heartland of place, quickly protested against the Afghan gov- Movement prevented them from doing so. since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. currently thousands of Hazaras live in caves ernment’s decision and a blatant discrimi- The People’s High Council to the En- 107 Hazaras, the majority of whom were where they are deprived of any services by nation against Hazaras. Just a few days after lightenment Movement decided to end university students, were killed and over 500 the government. the government’s decision, and following the protest without resorting to violence. others were wounded in a double suicide All routes ending in this area are con- many protests which started in Bamiyan and On that day, government forces had been attack followed by a volley of gunfire by un- sidered insecure as dozens of Hazara pas- then carried on in many cites throughout deployed to different parts of the city with known gunmen. sengers are abducted and then murdered by the country, thousands of educated Hazaras enough equipment to suppress the protest- Although the national as well as the in- terrorist groups on a daily basis. gathered in western Kabul in the area called ers, leading organizers to believe there was a ternational media initially reported 84 were Due to the existence of such a situation, Mosala of Shahid Mazari (Mosala). possible threat of bloody suppression.. killed and over 230 wounded, as time passed Hazaras have often staged peaceful protests In the wake of the protests which had Following this strategic retreat, the it became clear that the number of casual- against systematic discrimination over the started in Bamiyan these Hazaras formed protests of the Enlightenment Movement ties was significantly higher than indicated past 14 years. a civil movement called the Enlightenment continued outside Afghanistan. Hazaras in by these initial reports. Their protests have often focused on Movement to show their protest against the Australia, Canada, the US and different Eu- becoming beneficiaries of the basic services government’s decision. ropean countries staged protests against the Reasons behind the protests by which should be provided by the govern- The Enlightenment Movement is led by systematic discrimination of their country- Hazaras: ment to every citizen. Hazaras have repeat- a specific group of students and academics men in Afghanistan. Over the past three centuries, Hazaras edly come to the streets to protest against called “The People’s High Council”. To be continued ... have been massacred, their lands have been their deprivation of security, poor roads and grabbed by numerous Afghan governments health and education services. However, and they have been forcefully displaced. De- their protests have not received adequate prived of their citizenship rights, they have attention from the Afghan government and been living in their homeland as if they are the global community. The Forbidden aliens. Over the past 2 years, thousands of Haz- Over 62 percent of Hazaras were mas- aras were forced to leave Afghanistan, seek- sacred by the Afghan King Abdur Rahman ing asylum in western countries, as they had Khan between the years 1890-1892, and suffered from insecurity and the continu- Terrain Afghanistan 2016 much of their lands were seized by the Af- ation of systematic discrimination in their Director: Mohammad Ranjbar ghan government during that historical homeland. Between the years 2014-2015 Genre: Documentary period. Currently, Hazaras live in remote, over 140,000 Hazaras had to flee from Af- The Forbidden Terrain is a documentary about a group of mountainous areas of central Afghanistan. ghanistan. They do not have any hope to live Afghan brave young girls who joined the Afghanistan National They almost always, in subsequent years, their life in Afghanistan where their lives are Army. After passing one year of training they graduated from have been deprived of their due rights. in constant danger. the military academy. The girls joined the Afghan National During the Taliban regime, Hazaras Widespread protests following rerout- Army after graduating from schools and universities, that is were massacred inhumanely in different cit- ing of the electricity master plan. because of their commitment to support the country. They live ies such as the Kanda Pusht area of Zabul, As discrimination against Hazaras be- in dormitory of the academy for one year to become Baghlan, Mazar-e Sharif and Bamiyan. came more widespread in 2016, a signifi- young officers. The documentary depicts their Based on reports by human rights orga- cant number of Hazara activists, especially various physical exercises in the field. nizations, the Taliban systematically mas- students and academics, decided not to re- Their communication international trainers, their strenght sacred over 8,000 Hazaras including women main silent about discrimination anymore. and bravery. The movie is a reflection of some of the and children in August 1998 during two days In order to fight systematic discrimination, many challenges these brave females face in day to day in Mazar-e-Sharif. In addition to several they formed small groups inside and outside basis but despite all these their singing when they fight mass killings of Hazaras in Bamiyan, the Tal- Afghanistan that observed the important in the face of depression and loneliness. iban also demolished the two Buddha stat- issues of the country and acted against dis-

August 27th, 2016 Page 3 Vol.2, No. 50 News Pashtani Bank: Ten Billion AFS To Be Gained From Business People

decision was made to have one or two 8 AM: During 14 years that there the customer’s money I should say governmental banks so that they could was time for improving all the sectors that they still exist in the bank. Many pay more attention to agriculture, in the country, how much the Pashtani of the customers came and received trade and industry. Furthermore, these Bank has moved forward to make itself their money as much as it was. But the Translated by: Ali Sadiqi meet the banking standards? money that the bank had invested on Source: Hasht-e-Subh banks should pay more attention to the extraction of mines and transportation Khesraw Zia: One of the reasons the trader or had given to the trader Afghanistan had a number of sectors, because the economy of the that the governmental banks have to use it in their business, we face a governmental banks which have country has not sufficiently improved not been included in the markets is challenge. We could not receive some been dissolved after applying the new and does not enough stability. Thus, the banking procedure and system or the money we had on the traders. economic system. Despite this, still the need to the governmental banks that wasted the time of the customer. Some of the traders never exist. Some three governmental banks are active is also felt and of course these banks When the customers see that their of them have lost their money and besides other private banks. How the should move towards modernization. needs are provided more quickly in have no money to pay to the bank governmental banks function and the After a case in Kabul Bank, people’s the private banks and their time would and because of this the bank has been rivalry of governmental banks with trust on the governmental banks has be wasted less than the governmental harmed badly. Right now, we have private banks are the common issues decreased rather than the private ones, they would go to those banks nearly 10 billion AFS on the traders we had a private talk with Khesraw Zia, ones. Right now, the governmental instead. But fortunately, we use a which we could not receive. Of course the CEO of Pashtani Bank. banks have much asset. National modern system by the name of Koryan, we are trying to receive this money and 8 AM: Mr. Zia, we start the first Bank holds the second position and which is completely a computerized the political will also approves it. question about issues related to the Pashtanai Bank holds the third or system and can provide the customer’s 8 AM: How close Afghan banking is past. In the past, Pashtani Bank, which fourth position. The program that the requirement very fast, in Pashtani to the global banking standards? had gained the trust of citizens in the National Unity Government has about Bank. In addition, we are working Khesraw Zia: In the past, the country, was one of the reliable banks the economy of the country starts from on “Mobile Banking” and “Internet governmental banks of Afghanistan in Afghanistan. How do you evaluate the governmental banks. These banks Banking” to provide more facilities for had extreme positive relationships the existing situation considering the have a specific strategy and outlook customers. Thus, customers can fulfill with the biggest banks of the world like improvement of private banking? for the economy of Afghanistan. We their requirements from their homes. Acety Bank of America, Kamerz Bank of Khesraw Zia: Thank you. hope that Pashtani Bank could serve We are hardly working on the ATM Germany, Dwich Bank of Germany and Unfortunately, three decades war the customers in accordance with the as well, but our banking system has other important banks of the world. in Afghanistan not only harmed international standards. become very simple nowadays and the That relationship was also stable in economic, social, cultural and political 8 AM: In the past, this bank was customers cannot access every section the past ten years but because the fields, but also has harmed the country called “Pashtani Trading Bank” and of it. Of course we have problems in governmental banks couldn’t equalize from banking sectors. Pashtani Bank, now it is “ Pashtani Bank”; Does it have some of the provinces and we hope themselves to the international before 1371, was famous in Afghanistan any specific reason that you removed to remove them. The new banking standards, this relationship is now as the home of businesspeople of the word “trading”? rule which was indorsed one year ago ended. The swift and western union Afghanistan. Hence, it became a Khesraw Zia: In the past, the has created a better opportunity for money transfer has connection with all reliable name. After passing the war fundamental function of Pashtani the banks. If the governmental banks the banks of the country. Some of the and shaping the new political system Bank was to import and export. It harmonize themselves with this rule, country’s banks use debit and credit and creating the free economic bazar means it was specific for the service of certainly they can use all the facilities card and some of them are working in governmental banks, some of the the traders. But the existing economic for their customer like private banks. on this system. We need time to private banks also started functioning. system of Afghanistan has created this 8 AM: Because the Pashtani Bank standardize our banking system. The private banks could have more need that we should work on all sectors has a long history, the banking service 8 AM: What are the facilities that improvements under the support although we are still an importing has survived from the past up to now. Pashtani Bank is presenting for its of free economic bazar rather than country and we ward off more than The crises which were created in the customers? governmental banks. But because of 95% of our requirements. In spite past had harmed investments and Kheraw Zia: We have all the primary government’s insufficient attention to of this, the government reached a some people could not take out their services for our customers. We open the system of the governmental banks, decision that Pashtani Bank should be investments from the bank. The banks current account, the prepaid account they had improved less than the private just a bank but a general bank which also could not get their debts from the and we have standard facilities. We also banks. Government had emphasized can provide facilities for banking people. have the western union money transfer. on the private banks to improve and the sections. Specially, we should invest Khesraw Zia: There are two issues: Our customers can access their account governmental banks. After establishing on transportation and this issue has one the money that the customer has in any sections of Pashtani Bank in the the National Unity Government, a increased the need for being a general in the bank and the money the banks country. bank. has on the trader and investor. About Barcelona 6-2 Real Betis Suarez and Messi shine in easy win

Source: Goal.com Messi supplied Suarez with his next Barcelona began the defence of their La early in the second half before then blasting Liga title in ominous fashion on Saturday, in another of his own from distance. with Lionel Messi and hat-trick hero Luis Suarez completed his treble with a Suarez starring in a 6-2 demolition of Real delightful free-kick eight minutes from Betis at Camp Nou. time, as new Betis coach Gus Poyet was Suarez and Messi netted 66 league given a harsh lesson in his first game in goals between them last term and began charge of the Andalusians, despite Castro's the new campaign as they meant to go on, late second. leading from the front and causing havoc Injured Barca captain Andres Iniesta as the Betis defence struggled to cope. and Messi were finally presented with Barca's star duo were without Neymar last season's Liga trophy before kick-off, due to his involvement in the Olympics, and those celebrations were followed by but Arda Turan continued his renaissance further jubilation just six minutes in as the in the Brazilian's absence by opening the hosts broke the deadlock. scoring – his third goal in two games after Messi's deep cross picked out the run a brace against Sevilla in the Supercopa de of Jordi Alba and the left-back teed up Espana on Wednesday. Arda, who stabbed home from close range Ruben Castro's bullet of a free-kick with the outside of his right foot. restored parity briefly, but a quick-fire That joy was short-lived, though, as double from Messi and Suarez just before Betis drew level 15 minutes later thanks to the break effectively killed off Betis' a ferocious 20-yard Castro free-kick which chances. found the top-right corner. Page 4 August 27th, 2016 News Vol.2, No. 50 German Woman Grandmother in Afghanistan interests in developing countries made Lina said about her diary in Lal-o- helped many pregnant women at night with her to go to Germany and study Medical Sargangl, “People were poor and kind, and the torch.” In the winter of 1999, the time Science; then, in 1971, she came to had a very simple life, everywhere looked she wanted to help patients, the patients Translated by: Yasin Rezayee Afghanistan, she said: she came to Kabul, like my house, my foreigner colleagues told feared the bed. As she said, “I prepared the Source: BBC Persian and Kabul was a beautiful city, and a little me that I should not accept their invitation bed for 145 patients, the situation was not bit improved, and many people came from for drinking tea till the time they invite, at good, the weather was cold and snowy, Pakistan for shopping. In addition, a lot of least four times, but in reverse, I accepted at either people carried their patients on their Nineteenth of August is named tourists were seen in Kabul that is why she their first invitation and had tea with them arms or we visited them in their homes” International Peace Day and on this day did not stay in Kabul. and went to their homes.” She said helping She said: “We did not have medications Peace Organization appreciate those who Lina said that she heard from her and supporting poor people and poor and Taliban did not allow the planes to sacrifice their lives and accept the danger in German colleagues about Central Part of children had been their real job. bring medications. Finally, the planes order to help poor people. Afghanistan, Lal-o-Sargangl, where poor A German woman who has worked for threw the medications from the sky and I Lina, who is from Finland, is one the people live and made her enthusiastic to many years in Central parts, died several taught that the medications were broken benevolents who has worked for 43 years in visit Lal-o-Sargangl. years ago and also she got the same title but when I checked except two of them the difficult situation of Afghanistan and now Moreover, she said about her that I got (mama) because of supporting rest were all right. I was so happy.” she wants to leave Afghanistan. experience in Afghanistan that she had poor people. She said: “The reason that sickness She says that she is 72 years old and heard from her German colleagues who Lina was in Afghanistan for several spread out so fast, was people, they were she has known Afghanistan since 1973. She were the former nurses in the Central parts years, in 1973, in Dawood’s political coup poor and had their lunch and dinner in has worked for 10 years in Kabul during the of Afghanistan about Lal-o-Sargangl. She that turn off kingship government in the same dishes, and they did not have civil war and also she has given hygienic said, in 1971, first she came to Kabul and Afghanistan. Then, Afghan Government spoon, and did not wash their hands. We services in Central parts of Afghanistan in learned , then she went to expel her, but, because of her interests to taught them to have their food with spoon Lal-o-Sargangle district, Ghoor province , where she could not understand Afghanistan, she went to yotopia in Africa. not their hands, and to wash their hands. and now people of Lal-o-Sargangl call her people’s language which was spoken with a In 1985, she was back in Afghanistan Likewise, some people slept in the mosque Mama which means grandma. When she different accent. and started her job in Salibe Sorkh Hospital and walked without shoes and many other came to Afghanistan she was a 29 year old In 1971, she went to Yakawlang, where in Kabul. During the Civil War, in 1989, reasons.” lady. Her interests in the poor countries there were no hospitals and doctors. Later, she got the responsibility of Salibe Sorkh Lina said she taught many girls and made her to come to Afghanistan and now she went to Lal-o-Sargangl. She said, “We Hospital. Because of continuation of Civil women to help pregnant women and she is 72 and she says that she will leave went to Lal-o-Sargangl, where there was an War, in 1996, she had the chance to go trained many midwives and they could Afghanistan forever. However, her kindness International Emigration Organization that to central parts (Lal-o-Sargangl) for the help many pregnant women. will be with Afghans, and she says that she supported us and we lived in a house that second time and has taught the girls and She said that she did not get married loves Afghans, and Afghanistan is like her had four rooms, two of them were for living women midwifery. because there was no man that she could second home. and two of them were for our offices.” She said: “We did not have power and get married. She was born in 1942 in Finland. Her 2 road projects inaugurated in Logar Province Free style cycling Translated by: Mohammad Asif Translated by: Najiba Ahmadi Source: Hasht-e-Sobh Source: Hasht-e-Sobh

Nasir Ahmad Durrani, Minister of Rural Maidan Wardak, where there has not Interest is obvious on their faces. The free style bicycle riding team.” Asghar said Rehabilitation and Development, during been any development project in the past place of sports has been asphalted. We can that he faced people with bad behavior his trip to Logar besides visiting some of few years, would have more development see obstacles all around area for performing and insulting manners at the beginning of the development projects in progress well projects. He as well added that they needed different movements. training. He said, “When my teammates inaugurated Khoshi Road located in Kochi to improve the agriculture products in A lady hits many pedals than stops and and I were preforming free style bicycle Town near to Alam Bridge. As it is planned, provinces and could join the agriculture jumps over obstacles by bicycle; her jump riding, people were insulting and saying to this road will be asphalted in 3 km in the fields with the market. He said more road was amazing for everyone. us what the hell are you doing?” and at that next few months with the budget of 28.3 constructions would begin in Logar and On the first opportunity of bicycle time I was disappointed. million Afghanis. other provinces. riding, the trainer teaches the participants Because of people’s insulting manners, MRRD also added that construction He added that they had 1381 how to control the bicycle. Then, he takes Asghar felt annoyed but he decided to find of this road is the fundamental need of the development projects in different sectors the plug and says to the lady riding a a save place for training and stay away from residents for better transportation services which will be implemented in most of the bicycle, “pedal” the lady runs the bicycle people with bad behavior. He managed to and the construction will begin soon. deprived provinces. slowly. The trainer admires her, and the find a place for activity. Now one month has Meanwhile, Sayed Qarib Saadat, a In the meantime, Mohammad lady smiles like a champion. This scene of passed from the beginning of his training. member of Logar Provincial Council added Halim Fidaie, Logar Governor, said that bicycle riding with free styles happened in Asghar Mahirzada says that they have that there would be more security in the implementing development projects Kabul. trained fifty students in different level of area with the construction of the road. Mr. and providing services to the people had Free style bicycle riding team has bicycle riding. The free style team includes Saadat also appealed for supplying water influence on security and employment. started practicing one month ago. Asghar four trainers of free style movements and sanitation pipes in the Immigrants Town He added that projects in Logar provinces Mahirzada is a young man who teaches sixty members, the members of this team and he said they hoped that MRRD would and other districts of Logar had been going free style with bicycle to other young can learn new and free style movement implement the water supplying system very well. People of Logar support any sort guys. He is also one of the founders of free bicycle riding in two hours per day. soon. of development projects and as well try to style. He says, “I had found bicycle riding Asghar Mahirzada points to all young Mr. Durrani said that the provinces keep them safe. Mr. Fidaie appealed MRRD team for making an atmosphere without guys to think for their countries pride and such as: Ghanzi, Logar, Daikundi, Zabul, to widen the irrigation and infrastructure discrimination and popularizing modern learn new skills. The good news for the fans Paktika, Farah, Nooristan, Ghor and projects in the province. sports and also for supporting Afghanistan of bicycle riding is that the free style bicycle living environment.” Mahirzada said,” We riding stadium will be opened officially in wanted to encourage Afghans for solidarity the coming month. and prevent discrimination by founding

August 27th, 2016 Page 5 Vol.2, No. 50 Community

My G(irls)20 journey

as the representative of Afghanistan for Founder and President of Educating Girls of to empower women to run their own busi- 2016. Rural China. She provides emotional and fi- ness and be more financially independent. Every year in advance of the Annual nancial support to girls and women in rural You can listen to the recommendations of G20 Leader’s Summit, the G(irls)20 del- China to continue their education, and she the other G(irls)20 delegates in this video: egates come together for their own Sum- gives them the hope and strength to follow http://tinyurl.com/zg2vd4n that we made mit to debate relevant issues, to learn about their dreams. We had the pleasure of meet- during the summit. strategic skills and to prepare an Official ing some of these young girls themselves On August 9, the official part of the Communiqué to the G20 leaders. My jour- and were able to listen to their stories. summit began with the wise words of the ney towards this inspiring summit started We also had the opportunity to discuss Prime Minister of Canada and self-pro- on the first day of August and took me all our post summit initiatives with G(irls)20 claimed feminist, The Right Honorable the way to Beijing, China. advisors and seek their comments and ad- Justin Trudeau. His opening address was On August 3, I met the other delegates vice. My initiative focuses on the empower- followed by several keynote speeches and and the G(irls)20 team during the introduc- ment of girls and women in the rural areas panel debates on issues such as male cham- tory morning and I can still feel the excite- of Afghanistan by enriching them with en- pions of change, understanding our future ment of talking to them for the first time. trepreneurial and leadership skills and Eng- workforce, the future of jobs and talent, and There were plenty of other opportunities lish language trainings. My advisors gave securing a fair share in growth sectors. to get to know each other and share stories me recommendations on taking a step-by- The most challenging but also most mainly during our lunches and dinners and step approach to implement the project. rewarding part of the summit was to define at the debrief sessions, which was usually Luckily, there was also time for some and write a set of key recommendations to my favorite part of the day. At the end of the sightseeing in our host city, Beijing. We the G20 leaders to increase female labor day, we would come together to talk about visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen participation. Access to proper education what we’ve learned and work on team Square, and of course one of the world’s is of great concern to many Afghan citizens About the author: Simin Haidary is a building and networking. most famous landmarks: The Great Wall and takes a prominent place in the Com- former student of the Quetta branch of Star The G(irls)20 welcome reception was a of China. We rapidly forgot about the ex- muniqué. Including the needs of girls and Educational Society and is currently a senior memorable experience where I met amaz- tremely hot weather as we entered into dis- women in education, entrepreneurship at the American University of Central Asia ing people and some of my role models. cussions about our homes countries, their and employment policies is integral to pro- majoring in Business Administration and The reception was hosted by Ambassador beauties and achievements and areas for viding girls and women with the skills and minoring in Journalism. Saint Jacques, Canada’s Ambassador to the improvement. opportunities to participate and advance in People’s Republic of China, and we had the Coming from Afghanistan, I was of- the labor force. It was April 2016 when I received the honor of meeting the Canadian Minister ten asked questions such as “What is your On my G(irls)20 journey, I had the exciting news that I was selected as the of Immigration and Citizenship, the Chief country’s current situation? Do you have chance to speak about all the challenges G(irls)20 delegate representing Afghani- of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, many schools there? Are you safe? Does the girls and women in Afghanistan face, to stan. the UN Global Coalition of Young Women Taliban still exist? Can women leave their hear from other delegates about the issues G(irls)20 is a globally active social en- Entrepreneurs, officials from G20 countries homes?” etc. I tried to address these ques- in their respective countries, and most terprise from Canada that cultivates a new as well as representatives of several inter- tions to the best of my ability and talked importantly, to combine our ideas to find generation of female leaders through edu- national companies. It was truly inspiring about the developments of recent years, the best way to tackle these challenges for cation, entrepreneurial training, leader- talking with them and hearing their ideas the improvements in our education system a better world. In Beijing, I found an inter- ship, and global experiences – with one about bringing more women into the work- and the position of women, but I also spoke national network of young women – future ultimate goal: Increasing female labor force force. about the many problems that my country leaders not to forget! - of more than 20 participation around the world. Our program in China was multifac- still has to deal with, such as access to edu- countries; a family that has given me the Designed G20 style, G(irls)20 brings to- eted. We received a number of trainings cation and health clinics in rural areas and strength and motivation to pursue my pas- gether one delegate from each G20 country, to gain valuable skills, such as communi- the extremely low female labor force par- sion to contribute to the empowerment of plus a representative from the European cations and leadership skills and strategic ticipation rate. girls and women and to fight for change in and African Unions, Afghanistan, Pakistan planning, and we heard speeches of many I personally believe that the govern- my country, Afghanistan. and the MENA region. After a thorough se- female leaders. One of the speakers I felt ment of Afghanistan should improve access Please visit http://www.girls20.org/ to lection process, I was honored to be chosen particularly inspired by was Ching Tien, the to entrepreneurship trainings in rural areas, read the full G(irls)20 Communiqué. Page 6 August 27th, 2016 Literary Vol.2, No. 50 57

About the author: Hadi Zaher was the first graduate of Quetta's branch of Star Educational Society in the year 1999. He has an MA from the University Stories of Wollongong in Australia and is currently a post-graduate student at the My Grandmother University of New South Wales. Told Me

The grooms, adorned in madrassi tired and covered in dust. turbans, sat on the first horses; the brides, There was a tradition back then. covered in bright green shawl, on the sec- Some kids held hands to form a chain and ond ones. The procession had traveled block the path of the procession to ask to from Dawood to bring to their village two be paid to allow passage. Some boys lit sisters from Koshay Daala. Our little vil- little fires on the path, and did the same. lage just happened to be on their path. The girls and women of the village did not It wasn’t every day that a wedding ask for money, but instead, they lined up procession passed through the village. and each asked to see the face of the bride They beat the hand drums, and the sound as a charge for allowing passage. of the drums got closer and closer as they We lined up, and waited for our turns. approached the pass. We heard the drum, I was with my friends. We stood in the and like the other young girls from the queue. Our turns came, we lifted the veil village, we rushed to the direction of the of the brides, looked at their faces, ran pass outside the village. We saw the first back to our own little groups, and spent few horses leading the procession, and the rest of the afternoon giggling and then people on foot and luggage loaded laughing about how ugly those two sisters on donkeys. There might have been 30 were. We were kids, mean kids. people, all well dressed, but appearing

Kiyoko Nagase Kiyoko Nagase was born in 1906 Okayama, Japan and died in 1995 on her 89th birthday. She published her first book of poems in 1930 at the age of 24. At the age of forty, she took up farming. In 1987, at the age of eighty-one, Nagase published her prize-winning book, Akegata ni kuru hito yo (You Who Come at Daybreak). She was active as a poet throughout her 65-year career, A GREAT producing timeless crystallizations of her heart. BIG TREE May I be a great big tree so big I can’t see those taking shelter under me, On a stormy day a deep green conical figure wrapped in serenity I will be even greater, more stalwart Just as I dangle my bare feet in the water I will firmly anchor my roots in the great earth and will not sway may my roots joyfully draw Yet my sap will flow smoothly from an unknown subterranean current even my incised wounds will issue forth a refreshing scent Soon I will whisper a smiling song May I be such a great big tree When night arrives I will dissolve into darkness that those who look at me unbeknownst to people will naturally feel peace and repose may the song alone become invisible ripples Yet may my luxuriating branches and leaves whisper to a breeze like stray hair May they awaken before anyone else in the rosy glow of morning May their blue shadows be cast on earth spreading like a trailing lace skirt May my thoughts be kind May my thoughts be refreshing The tree will not move The tree will not speak yet may it be a ladder heavenly children ascend and descend

If someone comes and rests by me at the height of day I will provide deep shadow and infinite comfort

August 27th, 2016 Page 7 Editor-in-Chief: Ali Reza Yasa Editors: Jonathan Greenburg, Murtaza Qasemi, Murtaza Farjad Designer: Reza Kajabi 0744111518 Distribution: Najibullah Malikpoor 0785103920 B & C Branches: Abdullah Ahmadi 0783117460 Bamyan: Essa Omid 0773609598 Daikundi: Hamid Naderi 0767961513 Ghazni: Essa Jamal 0787126362 Add: Star Avenue, Sabiqa Stop, Dehburi, Kabul. A Branch Phone: +93-785 10 39 20 / +93-744 56 37 55 Saturday, August 27, 2016 Vol. 2, No. 50 Website: http://www.star.edu.af/interstellar Email: [email protected] Aspiring Security Studies scholar reflects on his path to success Interview with Jawad Zawulistani, Star alumnus, human rights activist, and Fulbright finalist

About the interviewer: Hakim Sorush is the Digital Media Manager at Star Educational Society, a Star alumnus, photographer and filmmaker. He graduated from the Fine Art Faculty, Cinema Department of Kabul University. He plans to be a film director in the future.

example, I am very grateful to Kara Lozier, towards their people, towards their who coached me on my essays, helped country and towards their community me to have a better understanding of the will demonstrate a very strong leadership Fulbright competition and how to better potential in you. All these will make the prepare myself for the competition. I think candidate a very strong candidate for her advice was useful to me and helped Fulbright scholarship. me to prepare myself and get myself to the interview stage and then to the finalist What field do you want to pursue in stage. I think without the help of all these America? The program I want to pursue amazing, good friends, I would have in the U.S. is Security Studies. I have been reached to some stages but I would not working at Afghanistan Human Rights and walk forward with a better understanding Democracy Organization with war victims and with a great confidence. Their in the field of civilian protection. Our goal contribution and advice helped me to be was how to help Afghan communities to confident and use my potentials to achieve have a peaceful life without conflict and a the goal I was looking for. peaceful co-existence.

What standards made you successful? What are your future goals and plans? I would like to say that everyone’s way I want to come back to Afghanistan Could you please introduce yourself? I Fulbright candidate from Afghanistan. I of getting or reaching to something is and establish an organization for am Jawad Zawulistani and I was born in did my best to reach the finalist stage and different, so let’s appreciate that everyone security studies where we go to the very 1992 in Daikondi province. I graduated interview stage of Fulbright. Therefore, can have his or her own way though still communities and ask the people about from school in Daikondi. After taking I had prepared myself for the Fulbright there are common things. For example, their problems and try to understand the the university entrance exam, I entered interview. Now, I can say that it is all about having a strong academic background is a people and what the root causes of the Kabul University where I studied English having a clear goal. very strong point that supports candidates conflict are and how they can themselves literature. I graduated from university everywhere in their academic life. help to address the Afghan conflict at in late 2014. Then I started working with To whom do you attribute your success? the grassroots level. The other objective different organizations. I can’t say we can do everything by What are the important factors that can I want to pursue after my education is ourselves because the world we live in help someone to become a Fulbright to do research on Afghan conflict and Would you please tell us what points is somehow very complex and things finalist? Anyone who wants to get a security and try to add an Afghan insight made you become a Fulbright finalist? are strongly related to each other. I was Fulbright scholarship should work on from an Afghan perspective including the I can’t mention only one or two certain fortunate enough to have many good his or her language skills, on his or her local perspectives and the community’s points as the key of success for there were perspectives. As the result, this can many other that helped me to prepare create a very good research career for myself for this amazing competitive me where I am trying to bring the local scholarship. How committed you are “Star Educational Society helped me to views and the community views to the towards your community, your country widen my view of the world and showed Afghan government and present them to and your people can be a good guarantee the Afghan International Allies, who are to get the Fulbright Scholarship. It me a bigger horizon where I could explore working with the Afghan government. demonstrates the potential you have as a These things are amazing. Afghan local committed young Afghan, who will return many different things such as getting higher communities want these things and I think back to the country wherever he or she these things are the root causes of Afghan goes. In addition, I think I was always education and improving my English conflicts, so please consider all these trying to be that kind of person and I language skills.” things in the policy. What I also would do think it helped me a lot. Furthermore, is helping the Afghan government to make my linguistic skills also enabled me to be some policy in this regard. For example, I successful. I was always trying to improve think we don’t have a good understanding my language skills as much as I could. people as my friends. They helped me in writing, reading comprehension, speaking of Afghan conflict and policy factors. Having a clear goal also helped me a lot. different stages of my life. For example, the fluency and listening comprehension. Therefore, all these things have created While I was studying at Kabul University role of Star Educational Society was very These are very necessary language skills. a mess of everything so that nothing is and while I was working, I was always significant. I mean Star had a very strong Furthermore, candidates should have a clear and the Afghan government does not trying to have a clear goal. And my clear effect on me. When I first started learning clear goal. The other thing which I think understand what to do and what policy goal helped me write a good personal English at Star Educational Society, it was is very important is being a very beneficial can help deal with the problems. I think statement. My thoughts about my future, a new beginning for me. Star Educational community member. Candidates should if we have enough Afghan researchers my past and my potentials helped me to Society helped me to widen my view of the use their potential and whatever they have and policy makers, who can understand write a more convincing and reasonable world and showed me a bigger horizon to help their fellow community members the conflicts at the community level personal statement. I was always thinking where I could explore many different and their fellow country men and women. corresponding to international standards, about all these and when I started to apply things such as getting higher education I think these all will demonstrate a very they can help Afghan government to make for the Fulbright scholarship, somehow, and improving my English language skills. strong leadership potential. Having a good some policies to mitigate the Afghan I had a clear idea of what to do and what In addition, there are many other people academic background, good language conflict and overcome the current security to use and how to make myself a strong who had a great impact on my life. For skills, a clear goal and commitment problems we are facing.