CURRENT PROGRAMS
News Articles:
Women of the World (WOW)
WOW is a unique program designed by ARISE staff. The goal is to increase students’ knowledge of Afghanistan and its place in the world, thereby preparing them for more active participation in society.
WOW is a basic social studies course focusing on the study of maps to
learn about Afghanistan and surrounding area. Studies of the maps
and geography lead to discussions on other topics which include economics,
history, supply and demand, natural resources, imported and exported goods,
and culture. The class compares the business practices, cultures,
and geography of different countries, in part to generate ideas for new
businesses.
Health Education
ARISE’s health educators have created a low-literacy health education
program to meet the basic health information needs of vulnerable women
in Kabul. The team of health education experts is comprised of a
doctor, nurses, and trained health educators. Through visual aides,
stories, and hands-on lessons, women learn practical information to improve
the health of their families and themselves.
Literacy
ARISE uses the Afghan Ministry of Education’s literacy curriculum to provide literacy and basic mathematics classes. The literacy courses have three levels, all of which can be completed in nine months. Participants quickly find themselves able to read books and signs, write letters, and perform mathematical equations.
Business
Business courses will begin in Spring 2004. These will be closely tied to the Women’s Enterprise Center where women will have direct experience in creating a business. The first enterprise will be a food canning facility in which women will learn how to can food and manage the facility. The canned goods students learn to produce can then be used at home or as products for a business. Subjects to be covered include bookkeeping, accounting, office skills, management, and customer service.
Furniture Repair and Upholstery
Through a grant from the International Rescue Committee, ARISE has established a non-traditional vocational training program for women to learn furniture repair and upholstery. Many of the traditional vocational training programs for women (such as carpet weaving and tailoring) have produced a saturation of the job market and yield very little income for women. Furniture repair and upholstery are skills women can use to start their own businesses, establish co-ops, or work from home. This twelve-month program takes women with no income and trains them in a skill with which they may earn as much as $100 per month. A tool kit is provided for each student.
The grant also funds a Labor Market Officer who will assist the students in writing resumes, preparing for job interviews, and finding jobs when they graduate. The Labor Market Officer will follow them for six months to assess their progress and employment record.
Men's Programs:
ARISE has obtained three contracts with UNICEF to hold carpentry training
for men. Working with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, the center’s
students have taken all of the furniture from the Ministry and rebuilt
or repaired it. They have also built new furniture for the Ministry
of Education. Repaired furniture is being distributed throughout
the country. Funding from the International Rescue Committee has
enabled the training program to be extended by two months and provides
each student with his own tool kit. The Labor Market Officer is assisting
the students in learning to write resumes, interview, and find jobs.