Provide Care for Afghanistan's Abandoned Children

We are pleased to report that our 2014 Baharak Children’s Garden (BCG) is already producing vegetables for local consumption by the 60 children it serves — including 20 who have been orphaned by war.

The BCG and Foster Child Network is providing a nurturing environment and food for otherwise destitute children as well as job opportunities for the local women who have few options to provide for themselves and their families. The promise of food from our vegetable garden and chicken egg farm convinces good but very poor local families to take in the orphaned children.

One of the orphaned children served by our garden had this to say:

“On the one hand, we live in a dry location and we do not have enough land and water to grow vegetables. On the other hand, we do not have money to buy vegetables from Bazar which is very far from us. The only way we have to get vegetables is to come to BCG and get it easily and without cost.”

Attached is a spreadsheet describing the true monthly cost of the Baharak Children’s Garden. Global Roots finances the garden for seven months a year and then we try to make a donation for the winter-time survival of the 20 orphaned children we support.

Details about our current garden

The Baharak Children’s Garden is a 1,000 meter garden laid down on dry earth near the town of Baharak We lease the land for $300 a month and we have erected a security wall to protect both the children and our produce.

We chose to lease more expensive land near the town because no child would come if it were too far away and in an unsafe location. The security wall protects our children from potential abduction by Taliban recruiters.

According to our local manager “The protection of orphaned children in Afghanistan is a pressing global humanitarian concern. The Baharak Children's Garden (BCG) helps find homes for orphaned children in Northern Afghanistan and protects them from forced conscription into the ranks of the Taliban and other dangerous affiliations.”

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Ongoing challenges in 2014

As stated previously, the Baharak Children’s Garden is located on arid land and there is no irrigation nearby. This means that we must buy expensive fuel for a water pump.

To reduce fuel costs, we have found a solar pump for sale in Kabul. The pump will cost between $900 and $1000. We are looking for one generous donor to finance the purchase of this pump. The donor will receive a photo in the next Global Giving report. Our local manager will hold the pump with the name of the donor on it.

This pump can produce up 1.5 cubic meter water per hour which is enough for BCG. It would then be easy to water the garden daily. The pump has a five-year guarantee for solar and one year for motor. It will cost less than fuel because for generator we need almost $2000 for the whole year, 200 per MONTH plus pipe and generator cost..

Sustainability and Long Term Impact

Our Children's Garden in Baharak turned into a Foster Child Network when our local manager rescued 10 orphaned children with Global Roots funds two years ago on the border of Afghanistan and Tajikstan. 

Each of the 10 orphaned children (including four girls) would have fallen into the hands of the Taliban without Janagha’s quick move to protect them.

With your support, we can expand our Foster Child Network to nine small villages and one major city (Faizabad).

Afghanistan is a land where clan is king. If you’re not accepted inside a clan, you will not be trusted and you will fail at any endeavor you embark upon.

Global Roots is already a trusted member of the Baharak community. Our garden supports 60 children — but we are ready to support 600. 

Thank you for supporting our program!

The Baharak Children’s Garden — a model of transparency

BCG monthly itemized expenses, April - Oct, 2014 (in US Dollars)

BCG rent per month: 300

Security guard: 200

Water pump fuel for watering: 200

BCG Guard & gardener lunch food expense: 300

Food for chickens: 100

Gardener salary: 300

Garden and Foster Child administration: 280

Grand total: 1,680 per month for 7 months

We are hoping to expand the BCG in 2015. Prices will then decrease dramatically because garden expansion will allow for income generation and eventual self sufficiency.

We thank you al for your support!

• transparency/spreadsheets (XLSX)