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Distributing Radios in Mazar-e-Sharif

  • Published
  • By MC3 Jared Walker
  • 438th AEW PA
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan --  Afghan Air Force and NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan Detachment 3 members distributed 1,500 radios to two suburb girls' schools in Deh Dadi village near Mazar-e-Sharif on Sat., Oct. 23rd. The schools comprise of 3,000 students from 1st through 12th grade. The schools are responsible for the education of children of the 200,000 villagers from the surrounding area.

Radio is often the only source of news available to Afghans living in remote parts of the country because few Afghans having access to newspapers, magazines or internet and because over 11 million Afghans over the age of 16 cannot read or write.

The Mazar-e-Sharif District Ministry of Education, who were present at the event, stressed the importance of education. The MoE also said that education is the key to the children and the future of Afghanistan. Radio Azadi, Afghan Air Force and NATC-A were thanked by the Minister for distributing the radios.

Prior to the September 18 Afghan parliamentary elections, Radio Azadi began distributing 20,000 solar-powered, hand-cranked radios to people in refugee camps, villages and cities across Afghanistan.

The objective of this radio distribution program is to help citizens become more informed about the democratic process and demonstrate the commitment of the Afghan authorities and international community to the Afghan people, particularly those living in rural and isolated villages.

Radio Azadi was started eight years ago to help build a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan. During that time, it has become one of the most popular sources of news in the country due to its programs about youth issues, woman rights and democracy.