Afghanistan's Economic Growth Threatens Children's Program In Kabul
BBC reports that a educational support program for Afghan children forced to work on the streets may be severely cut back or closed. Monthly rent for their facility in downtown Kabul used to be $1,000 per month. The property has now been sold to make way for a 5-star hotel. Comparable properties now run up to $10,000 per month!
Many Aschiana children lost at least one parent in recent wars
The program, called "Aschiana" is a Afghan-based and operated charity funded largely by donations from the European Union, World Bank and other charitable giving primarily in England.
I am not suggesting that Americans begin donating money to this organization because, frankly, I don't know enough about it to endorse it.
But I do feel that this story points out some of the negative backlash that occurs when capitalist investment forces prices too high for local people (not only the poor but the former middle class) to afford to remain living in their own homes and neighborhoods.
The wealthy will always make money in such an economic climate but those without will suffer severely as costs rise.
Local government officials should recognize the important role played by such groups as Aschiana and provide property and facilities for them to continue their good work. No one is making a profit from such labors of love....and that, I fear is the problem. There is no incentive to throw money away on poor children when you've got all you need and are making more every day.
Incentives for charitable giving through taxation or through tax-breaks should not only be made available for those who are investing in Afghanistan but should, in some way, be made manditory!
Similar situations are undoubtedly already beginning to occur in Iraq as well. It seems counter-intuitive to say, but some times the poor are better off when their country is poor than when it begins to produce wealth. It may appear to be somewhat socialist to say this, but if profits are not reinvested in the social infrastructure as well as the economic infrastructure of power, sewage, water, finance business, industry and the like, a nation will sow the seeds of it's own future destruction.
By the way, if you visit the Aschiana web page please take a moment to visit their "art gallery." You may find something there to give to your favorite American GI as a "souvenir" of their recent tour in Afghanistan.
Many Aschiana children lost at least one parent in recent wars
The program, called "Aschiana" is a Afghan-based and operated charity funded largely by donations from the European Union, World Bank and other charitable giving primarily in England.
I am not suggesting that Americans begin donating money to this organization because, frankly, I don't know enough about it to endorse it.
But I do feel that this story points out some of the negative backlash that occurs when capitalist investment forces prices too high for local people (not only the poor but the former middle class) to afford to remain living in their own homes and neighborhoods.
The wealthy will always make money in such an economic climate but those without will suffer severely as costs rise.
Local government officials should recognize the important role played by such groups as Aschiana and provide property and facilities for them to continue their good work. No one is making a profit from such labors of love....and that, I fear is the problem. There is no incentive to throw money away on poor children when you've got all you need and are making more every day.
Incentives for charitable giving through taxation or through tax-breaks should not only be made available for those who are investing in Afghanistan but should, in some way, be made manditory!
Similar situations are undoubtedly already beginning to occur in Iraq as well. It seems counter-intuitive to say, but some times the poor are better off when their country is poor than when it begins to produce wealth. It may appear to be somewhat socialist to say this, but if profits are not reinvested in the social infrastructure as well as the economic infrastructure of power, sewage, water, finance business, industry and the like, a nation will sow the seeds of it's own future destruction.
By the way, if you visit the Aschiana web page please take a moment to visit their "art gallery." You may find something there to give to your favorite American GI as a "souvenir" of their recent tour in Afghanistan.
posted by Bird of Paradise at 3:46 PM
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