Afghan woman opens gas station convenience store in Herat
07:57, 28 March 2009
.. Posted in Development, Relief and Advocacy Efforts.. Link
Contrary to what you see on the mainstream media and some cranky blogs, there are terrific organizations providing worthwhile programs for people in the poorest countries, including Afghanistan, so that local people gain access to income and education. One of my favorite among these organizations is BPeace, which is a nonprofit international volunteer network of business professionals that help women entrepreneurs in Rwanda and Afghanistan to expand their businesses, create employment, and build a peaceful future for their communities. Each job created by an Afghan or Rwandan woman supports six to eight family members.
A great illustration of the work of BPeace is an Afghan woman who just opened one of Afghanistan's first gas station convenience stores, in Herat, thanks to ideas she picked up while at host companies during a "BART" - Bpeace Apprentice Road Trip in the USA. Following her BART experience, this Afghan woman conducted a market survey, rented space for the store next to one of her client's gas stations, improved the fixtures, stocked the new store with food, drinks and other items, and hired a store manager--a man from an extremely poor family who is supporting eight people.
What BPeace accomplishes on a shoe-string budget of a little more than $500,000 a year, and through the efforts of professionals donating their services, is extraordinary: more than 13,000 Afghans and Rwandans benefit from the work of BPeace. A donation to BPeace has real impact. At least subscribe to their email updates or the BPeace blog, so you can hear some inspiring stories and have your faith in humanity -- and development efforts -- restored.
