Overview of “toilet Project,” by KFA founder and director, Sam Carpenter: “Kashmir Family Aid is installing septic toilets at back-country private schools throughout the northern Pakistan and Azad Kashmir regions. There are literally hundreds of schools that have no running water, much less toilet facilities. (Many of the schools, usually one per village, operate on bare ground with no more than an ad-hoc lean-to for protection for the children. See photos below.) There are from 50 to 200 students in each school, depending on the size of the village. Children in these schools “just go outside,” which, not surprisingly, causes a biological hazard for the children and for the surrounding villagers. It costs $500.00 to purchase materials and construct one toilet, with the local village men digging the pit, pouring the concrete pads, construction the pre-fab building, etc. Below is an ongoing dialog about the project between me, and our project manager Khizar Abbasi, who lives in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir. Our first toilet was installed in December 2011. We have ten more in the next phase, to be installed in January and February 2012. After that, we plan to install 10 toilets every three months for as long as we have funding.

Pay for a toilet for a poor back country village school and we’ll put your name on it (on a small placard similar to the one in the adjacent photo). Another option: “Adopt a school” and cover monthly teacher salaries (the average pay for a village private school teacher is $35.00 per month). And, student tuition is usually about $1.50 per month in these schools and the parents of half the students cannot afford to pay even this meager amount. Please help us if you can.

Below is ongoing, chronological email communication between myself and Khizar Abbasi. I think this is the best way to explain things as they really are, on the ground, as Khizar and I coordinate back and forth with the obvious cultural, language and social hurdles that must be negotiated:

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From: Sam Carpenter
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 4:11 PM
To: ‘Khizar Hayat’

Very good, Khizar. As we discussed earlier,  I want to make this arrangement clear between us, so I will explain the contractual relationship better so there is no misunderstanding later.

Remember that some installations will cost more and some will cost  less, and the essential part of our arrangement that I want you to understand is that I will pay 40,000R per toilet no matter what. It is a set-fee contract so expect to make more on some jobs than others. But, for instance, if later on,  there is a set of 10 schools that is a far distance from MZF, requiring more money for transportation, the masons, etc.,  then you and I can talk in general terms about that extra cost and maybe make an adjustment…before the job begins.

But, if a particular school has a problem somehow, I will not cover that extra cost. This will be for you to work out, either with the villagers or some other way. You are to be a self-sufficient contractor and it will be up to you to manage things to make high quality installations and to make money for yourself without expecting me to cover incidentals.

I will need receipts for all materials and costs.

As we discussed, make the signs about half the size of the one you have on the first installation. The toilets will be painted green.

I am sending your money (my) tomorrow.

-sam

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From: Khizar Hayat
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 12:10 PM
To: Sam Carpenter

Sir please find my answers in red below.

Regards

Khizar

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Khizar: I forgot about the bank wiring charge and am sorry for that. I will add that to the next money I send (see below) . Please be sure that the teachers are fully paid, ASAP!

Here is what I will send:

400,000 for installation of ten toilets

40,000 for teacher bonuses

7,000 for two bank charges for two transfers of money to you (the last one, and this next one)

447,000R total.

Does this seem right to you?

Sir figures above are fine. It reflects that you are paying 40,000R per unit/toilet cost. In some exceptional cases per unit cost may increase but I will try my best to keep it around 40,000. If something extra-ordinary happen I expect you will be flexible to accommodate. 

How soon are you going  to pay the teachers?

Teachers would be paid on Thursday. They will come to Muzaffarabad after school time to get salaries from me. The day was fixed by them. I was ready to go there to pay them in School but they decided to come over here. I accepted their suggestion to save traveling cost. 

Do you understand that I will pay you at the end of the project in a separate wire transfer, 100,000R, when everything is complete?

Yes that I understand.

If all is OK with you,  I will wire the 447,000 to you tomorrow, Tuesday, or my Wednesday.

One more thing, we need written specifications for the hole and the drain pipe before you travel to the villages. Can you create that so you can hand out to the village people and the contractor? The contractor will have to approve of your drawing and specifications too. Send your work to me for my approval. I will also need the map before you begin.

Yes I am working on a kind of agreement between me as representative of KFA and a person responsible from school side. The role and responsibilities of both the parties will be clearly mentioned in the document and same will be shared with you for the approval before finalization.

-s

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From: Sam Carpenter
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 3:27 AM
To: Khizar Hayat

OK, Khizar. Green is fine. Let’s estimate the transportation as noted before, for a total cost of installation or 40,000R each. If special circumstances prevail regarding difficulty in transportation, please let me know. With this in mind, if you agree to visit the sites at least twice and to make sure the installations are properly done, I will give you 50,000R for each installation you make. It is critical that each installation is done properly, Khizar. It is critical that you visit the site prior to the installation to make sure the facility is installed properly (the hole must be deep enough and lined with rock, as specified. Etc. If this meets your approval, then I will forward 400,000R to you for the installation for all 10 toilets. As we discussed, I will pay your fee after the toilets are installed (100,000R). If everything goes well and we do indeed install ten toilets properly for $500,000R, there will be ongoing work for you, another 10 toilets.

I will come over to visit once construction is complete and we will together inspect each installation. When do you think construction would be complete on all 10?

I look forward to your detailed map.

Do you not have any comments regarding the 13 questions I sent you?

-sam

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From: Khizar Hayat
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 11:50 PM
To: Sam Carpenter

Thank you sir. I am fully agreed with you. I am ready to visit the site twice and every effort will be made to ensure installation is proper and according to specification. Rs 50,000 for each unit will be OK for all kind of transportation and overall cost, I guess.

I can start work on the project from the moment I get money and it can be finished in less than month time. Once I get indication that you have wired the money I will place an order to factory owner for ten toilets.

I have got money  (174, 800) for payment of salaries to teachers. it is not 180,500 as you stated in your previous mail. I guess bank people deducted some amount  as transfer charges from the same amount. Anyway its fine, no problem

Regards

Khizar

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From: Khizar Hayat
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 12:04 PM
To: Sam Carpenter

Dear Sir,

Hope you are fine with Mrs. Carpenter and fully enjoying holidays. I have thoroughly gone through the outline you sent to me regarding first phase of Schools’ Toilets Project.

Everything thing is fine except transportation cost estimate. I have not clear idea of transportation cost, including my visit to the school before and during project implementation phase. It would be varied site to site because of mode of transportation keeping in view the condition of the road. However I will try my best that overall cost on installation of one toilet unit must not cross the 40,000 mark.

I have already identified seven schools out of total ten for installation of toilets. All schools are located along the main Muzaffarab-Islamabad road and on left side of river Jehulam  flowing through the Muzaffarabad.

Now I will visit every school and evaluate keeping in view 13 questions you sent to me. Before that I will have to place order to factory owner for manufacturing ten units for us. He will not take time more than one week to deliver the things to me in Muzaffarabad.

This time I decided to paint toilet as green. Green color is photo friendly and is also symbol of environment. Our vision is to protect the environment through cleanliness/sanitation. But your opinion/suggestion will prevail finally. If you don’t agree on green please let me know as early as possible.

Once I complete the initial survey you will immediately be provided with photos of school and their locations on map. So I am ready sir to start once I receive money from you or may be before that because transaction will take 8/10 days to reach to me.

Regards

Khizar

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From: Khizar Hayat

Dear Sir,

Thank you so much sir and I am writing this to inform you that I have got 446,000 PKR for construction of ten toilets in schools. Figure is slightly different from what you have mentioned in your earlier mail. It may be because of currency conversion rate or some other reason. I will get bank statement today to ascertain the rate of conversion.

I have already completed survey of 8 schools out of total 10. Data of the schools and text of agreement with the responsible persons of the schools, along with photograph of selected schools will be mailed to you today or tomorrow. Our month time will start from 16/01/12 and will complete 15/02/12

Regards

Khizar

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From: Sam Carpenter

Very good, Khizar. Yes, send conversion information although we were different by only 1,000R. It is important you scan me your bank statement for our records.

I have a number of questions below.

Are the men in the villages agreeable to digging the holes? How will we know the holes are dug properly, lined with stones properly, etc?

I am also very interested to know how many children at each school, etc. Yes, send as much information on individual schools as you can including names of those supervising project.

Give yourself 6 weeks for the project, ending March 1. There are always unexpected delays and a month seems too fast for our first group of 10.

I have not seen a diagram of toilet hole construction yet. Please put that together so each school has written instructions and a diagram. You will have to have to do one set in Urdu and another in English. Please send a copy of each to me earliest.

How will the concrete pad be constructed? Will the masons pour the concrete and then come back another day to install the building?

In the instructions you need to add that the men must place a strong cover over the holes so children and animals don’t fall in the hole before construction.

Khizar. It is very important that we have written instructions that will include all details before proceeding. These instructions will be required for my Board of Directors, the villagers, the masons and the suppliers of materials. It must happen before we proceed.

When will you purchase the toilet buildings? When will they be delivered? I am concerned that they will be secure in Muzaffarabad and not “disappear.” I know you understand that their security rests on you alone.

If you will be finished with the work on February 15th, I will plan on visiting Muzaffarabad in the first week of April so we can visit each school. Does this seem like a good time for me to come?

I will need the NOC paperwork to visit. Will you get that process started right away?

Once I have inspected each installation and am satisfied, I will consider proceeding with another 10 installations..

When will the four teachers at Brightstar School be paid their 10,000R bonuses?

Did you receive the book I sent you?

Do you have snow on the ground? Are the children and Nasreen healthy. How is your diabetes?

I am returning to Seattle from Central America today, leaving in about 8 hours from now.

Thanks Khizar.

-sam

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Note from Sam: ” Kashmir Family Aid is beginning a major project of installing toilets throughout the Azad Kashmir region. They are approx $450 U.S. Funds to purchase materials and construct. Pay for a toilet for a poor back country village school and we’ll put your name on it! (Yes, it’s as you imagine: Children in these schools “just go outside” if they are lucky enough to have a building in which to study). Below is letter from my Kashmir manager Khizar, who just completed our first toilet in a tiny village that is two hours south of Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Azad Kasmir. KFA is covering teacher salaries in this school: $35.00 per month per teacher.

From: Khizar Hayat

Dear Sir,

With the grace of God, I have completed all the tasks you gave me, as toilet at Bright Star was last which has been completed on November 19.

Very interestingly and in strange coincidence November 19 was “World Toilet Day”. So its good omen for future. Sir it was great experience and with this experience I can construct/install a toilet within week time.

We collected a finding of the survey conducted by AJK RSP (Rural Support Program) that disclosed that over 200 Schools (only in Muzaffarabad district) don’t have toilets and thousands of students lack access to sufficient sanitation facilities. We can do it if you think it as appropriate.

Second Sir we have completed six months since we paid salaries to teachers of Bright Star School last time in May/June. They were a bit upset may be because of financial hardship when I met them 2/3 days back. I promised them to convey their sentiments/situation to you.

Third sir, I have nothing outstanding with me. Almost all the money you sent to me have been spent (except a small amount 2/3 thousands Rupees I guess) So please note that I have nothing with me to be accountable for.

Thank you for all your cooperation and patience.

Regards,

Khizar

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“Khizar Abbasi’s children. (Khizar is KFA’s manager in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, in charge of school projects and individual family aid.”)

Books and Uniform Distribution - Serli Sacha Village School, Azad Jammu Kashmir

Note: Sarl Sacha is a tiny village four hour, very rough jeep ride north of Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu Kashmir (and, Muzaffarabad, is a four hour car journey Northwest from Islamabad, Pakistan). Following is a letter from our representative Khizar Abbasi who resides in Muzaffarabad.
-sam carpenter

August 23rd, 2011

Dear Sir,

It is highly unfortunate that I am not able to talk with you on Skype. Skype on my computer is working fine, I have talked with a friend just to check it is working on not. Anyway I will again try to talk to you tomorrow evening time (your morning) I will send you a message after setting computer.

For last 2/3 days I was in contact with Serli Sacha Orphans Children through the staff of Millat Public School. We discussed about Eid (annual festival) package and concluded there are two options for us to help them.  One is help them in kind by providing each child the following items:

Sir there is another way to help, some parents/relatives may have purchased dresses for their children and they may need amount for food or other necessities, so some friends suggest that we should provide help in cash so that family can purchase whatever they need most critically. So please decide it as early as possible because we have only one week. Eid is expected to be celebrated on 30 or 31 August

With best regards

Khizar Hayat Abbasi

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August 29th, 2011

Khizar: If there is not enough time to prepare packages, then it is OK to give cash as you suggested in your previous email ($total, just over $1,300 US dollars), but I need exact details and thumbprints/signatures from each recipient, and photographs showing Kashmir Family banner, for my Board of Directors and the tax people here. This is critical. Also, a summary of who got what amount of money. You may take $200 for your family, instead of $100 as I offered before. I will wire money tomorrow.

We need to discuss on Skype:

1. Your ongoing compensation
2. Long term arrangement to help these schools
3. Toilet construction and water cooler for Bright Star
4. My personal visit to these schools
5. Other items that I will summarize before we talk.

Khizar Hayat Abbasi

—————————-

May 18th, 2011

Dear Sir,

At the outset, I would like to express my profound gratitude on behalf of Serli Sacha Village Community for providing critically needed text books, uniforms, notebooks and other school supplies to 28 orphans and needy children of the village. It was an important help from Kashmir Family Aid because the children who were without books and uniforms since they were promoted to new classes and they, their parent and teachers were very concerned about this situation. We went there with school supplies along with some local news reporters to make the process more transparent and open and you will see some news reports and photographs published in local and regional newspapers soon. My own magazine will also publish a report with photographs in its next issue. I have already provided you some photographs showing children getting the help and if you need more please feel free to ask me.

Please find attached scanned copies of receipts and details of other expenditure.

Thank you again for your help and looking forward for your help to pay salaries to four teachers of another school. I received almost every day a call from them and they are waiting your response with great expectations. I have already provided you detail of their requirement and please if you can provide help for thirty school chairs besides salaries it would be great.

With many regards

Khizar Hayat Abbasi

Note: There are approximately 85 PKR (Rupees) per U.S. dollar. -sam carpenter

Pakistan continues in turmoil. Despite all the fighting in neighboring states, Pakistan had, up until recently, remained free of terrorist bombing. It’s almost a daily event now, as various groups go into the heart of the country to create mayhem. It’s a balancing act now, as the unexpectedly assertive new government goes into the tribal areas to root out the problem. Afghanistan is of course a major influence. Taliban fighters, defeated in Iraq, hav moved to Afghanistan and taken refuge in the mountains of western Pakistan. It’s an awful situation with emerging evidence that the U.S. is not serious about seeing things through.

The biggest losers, as usual, are the children. Schools are being burned.

Will I be returning anytime soon? Maybe.

-s

It seems to me this is a good move. Article from AP. It does crack me up that the LA Times and the AP are feeling much more positive about Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan with the Obama Administration in charge. Bush could do nothing right and Obama can do nothing wrong, although the evolving general policies are identical….-s

 http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i45D5zekcQEsPKeULo3S8cPzTccAD993669O0

This is from the LA Times. There should be room for some optimism now.

-sam

President Asif Ali Zardari, in my opinion, has stepped up to the plate. He has limited government experience (He is the widower of Benazir Bhutto who was assinated in December 2007, and came to the top position almost by default). It is interesting to watch the internal war unfold with strike and counter-strike. Here is an article from yesterday, posted by AFP.

Meanwhile 2,000,000 Pakistanis are living in tents or with relatives. The average Pakistani family has 5 children, so, do the math.

-sam

Follow this link to some of the best photography I've seen of camp children, displaced by the war in the north. It is a sad reminder of October 2005 and the 3,000,000 displaced by the Azad Kashmir earthquake. It's hard to imagine how horrible it is to live 10 in a tent for months at a time. The only bright light one might see is that it is sill months before winter snows arrive. But, then again, the temperatures of summer Pakistan are worse than brutal.

-sc

From AFP News, just a few hours ago: "Police and local officials said up to 1,000 Upper Dir villagers formed a vigilante mob Saturday and stormed three villages where Taliban were hiding out, killing six suspected militants…"

Here's more: "Mohammad Ejaz Ahmed, Upper Dir police chief, said the vigilantes chased Taliban fighters out of three villages and torched 19 houses during clashes."

Here's the whole article, which has the thread of a Pakistani citizenry that, I hope, has had ENOUGH.

-s

Not a good situation over there. Most of our school work lies to the NE of Pakistan, in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), so the fighting is at least one hundred miles away. My friends in Muzaffarabad report that AJK remains “peaceful,” but peaceful is a subjective thing. The “peace” of that region is not at all what we consider to be the peace of the typical (non-inner city) western neighborhood. Much to Linda’s chagrin, I am toying with the idea of getting over there again soon. I have been tied up with my book so haven’t done much except periodically wire money to support one of our schools and a family that Linda and I have become fond of and really do need some help.

This morning I found a particulary good overview of the politics of terror financing. This is a NY Times article and it fits what I believe is the reality of the situation. Many westerners assume there are just some isolated radical fundamentalists creating havoc (is ”havoc” the right word? We are at the brink of seeing an entire government/country fail due to these insurgents). Truth is, the financing for the radicals comes from all over the place. Yes, the opium in Afghanistan, but also from some other folks in that part of the world that we have assumed are either our friends, or neutral parties.

It’s a bad situation, worse than the average westerner imagines. Most people don’t realize this: Iraq’s population is 31 million. Pakistan’s is 180. Division-size American boots-on-the-ground is inconceivable.

And what about the kids? They continue to go to school, remain intensely loyal to their families, and hope this all goes away. Remember, the great majority of Pakistanis and Kashmirs don’t support the insurgency.  Here’s a good AP article re the rising activism of the Pakistani population against the Pakistani Taliban.

Go to www.kashmirfamily.org for much more information re our work (check out the slide shows). I’m on Facebook now (look for “Sam Carpenter”.) also, for my book, under ”Work the System.”

You’re a good man, Karl M., for your continued support and faith. THANKS.

-sam

it is still a bad situation in AJK and N. Pakistan, 3 years after the quake. Here's an artilce by a Pakistani journalist that pretty accurately tells the story. http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=140495

-sc

Chris and I are in the process of working with Bend’s Pro Q Solutions to remake our website. Look for big changes soon, highlighted by a listing of approximately 10 separate school projects available for sponsorship. There will also be new photos from our visit in late May.

Chris found these two vey good summary articles regarding the latest in Pakistan:

1) From The Economist re the western Pakistani outlying areas

2) From International News (a Pakistani publication) re new US funding for non-milirary aid to Pakistan