PARSA goes “Scouting in Afghanistan”

PARSA, a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-governmental organization, has been working in Afghanistan since 2003.  It’s primary mission is to work to help properly educate children and orphans, provide vocational training for widows and the disabled population as well as educating the disabled and widowed population about how to live a more self-sustaining life.  We are working to create Healthy Afghan Communities.

To that end, in 2009, PARSA set out to re-establish Scouting for both boys and girls in Afghanistan.  After a number of meetings with the Minister of Education, there was agreement that growing the existing skeleton Scouting program in Afghanistan would benefit the children as well as the adults of the country. 

PARSA’s team met with about 25 of the current “Scout Trainers” in June to further the program.  They are kick starting the Scouting program in Kabul by establishing Scout troups in 2 large orphanages and 2 schools. 

Here’s the “rub”.  What is desperately needed are Scout materials – books, uniforms, badges and sponsorship dollars to get this program off the ground.

How can you help???  It’s EASY!!

♣Sponsor a Troop

a.For a mere $2500 you can sponsor an Afghan troop and provide uniforms, books, badges and a European translator to help provide pen pal translations and other materials. 

♣If you are in Kabul and were once a Scout – become a trainer and help educate the Afghan trainers about scouting and what it means to be a scout. 

♣Spread the word about PARSA”s work with Scouting at home

a.Do you know a scout leader who might have a troop interested in learning about Scouting in Afghanistan??  We can help connect the groups, establish Pen Pals and get the kids at home interested in helping Scouts in Afghanistan while they learn what life is like in a country VERY different from their own. 

PARSA’s current goal is to create 42 Scout troops of 20 Scouts.  This may seem like a HUGE undertaking – but we know with your help and support and that of the International Scouting community we will achieve our goal. 

There’s a MERIT Badge in there somewhere!!