KONAR, Afghanistan -- Twenty students from Khas Konar district completed a 10-day sewing seminar hosted by the U.S. Cultural Support Team, Aug. 6-15
This seminar was the third session held in the district and the first vocational training to take place in Hakeem Abad village.
“Majority of the students were Afghan local police wives, others were daughters, daughters-in-law, and sisters of the ALP members,” said a member of the U.S. Cultural Support Team operating in the area. “They said that the ALP has provided them with security throughout the seminar and they were not afraid of their safety.”
According to members of the U.S. CST working in the area, the program has expanded. The first seminar only had 14 students. The second and third had twenty female students participate.
A local seamstress and her assistant provided the training for the students, and were given certificates of appreciation for their efforts. The students received certificates of training, along with care packages and newborn kits.
Members of the CST said holding the class in the village made it possible for more women to attend because they were not required to travel.
“A few ladies brought their children along and took care of them while learning sewing skills,” said a CST member.
Many of the women who attended the seminar said there are lots of projects that men may be involved in, but the sewing seminar was the women’s first opportunity to learn additional skills.
“The seminar allowed us to build rapport with the female population, show them our appreciation for being supportive of the Afghan local police program, and allowed us to gather atmospherics of the area,” said a member of the U.S. Cultural Support Team who assisted with the training.