Revival Afghanistan Scout Association

a group of afghan girl scouts recite scout motto during meeting. these girls part of marastoon boy , girl scout troop in kabul. troop has more 200 scouts , hopes have 400 in 2011, said tamim hamkar, scout trainer marastoon troop.

several times in 1990s, , again in 2002, political , social changes in afghanistan opened opportunities rebirth of scouting in afghanistan. in 2002, interim administration of afghanistan ministry of foreign affairs requested embassies of selected countries assist in reviving scouting in afghanistan, , groups began emerge, led adults had been involved program prior 1978.

the new organization da afğānistān sarandoy tolanah, afghanistan scout association (asa). formed in 2003 , working toward wosm recognition. work on asa constitution continues in dari, pashto , english , hoped sent parliament approval in late 2008 or 2009.

scouting falls under sports , scouting branch of ministry of education , occupies space in sub-office near kabul stadium. branch reorganization took place in july 2008 , reduced number of employees 25 in 6 sections: national secretariat, budget, international relations, training , youth, programs , plans , band (although there still discussion manage last section). national office tracks 34,000 scouts countrywide, within groups under ministry of education auspices. troop sponsored american scouters operated time @ bagram air base north of kabul had no connection asa.

the nangarhar cub scouts march toward governor s palace before transfer of responsibility of nangarhar scout program ceremony in october 2010.

afghanistan scouting falls under auspices of asia-pacific region (apr) headquartered in manila. apr office supplies asa advice, training funding , adult trainers. more, helps coordinate south asia foundation efforts send scouts international events , june 2004 saw first afghan scouts leave country in 25 years. traveled overland participate in pakistan national jamboree. later in year 3 female scouts traveled korea. 2005 saw afghans in nepal, 2006 in sri lanka , korea, 2007 in pakistan , japan , year anticipated 12 male , female scouts travel bangladesh. asa receives periodic support international scouters.

adult scout leaders sections schoolteachers, others volunteers may join, subject approval of ministry of education. scouts work in schools, acting hall monitors, crossing guards , honor guard school visitors. groups beginning work outside school well, making public announcements in bazaar, cleaning mosques, helping firefighters, performing first aid , helping injured people hospital. afghan scout program focused more on civic duty rather pastime.

currently afghan scout association boys , girls, men , women, , offers cubs (ages 8 12), scouts (ages 12 18) , rovers (ages 19 25). cubs, scouts , rovers wear uniforms school or university, perform of duties. although afghanistan have guiding organization (possibly coeducational, or in separated body), work towards world association of girl guides , girl scouts membership recognition remains unclear.

uniform standardization difficult due difficulties in countrywide communication. scouts have make or buy own uniforms although in kabul of ministry s budget allocated uniform manufacture. if 1 not assigned uniform remaining option visit tailor. national uniform tan-colored. boys wear shirt , pants, girls wear long shirt , baggy pants. headwear, boys wear navy blue berets. girls wear headscarf chador beret. neckerchief blue yellow border. leather scout belt brass belt buckle completes uniform. total cost these items 1800 afghanis, or 36 dollars; huge sum when 1 considers $10 daily wage in afghanistan. although scouts may perform odd jobs earn money few afghanis @ time, in areas uniforms unaffordable. in these places troops substitute dress shirt , appropriate trousers or visit bazaar buy paramilitary-style shirt , pants.

war left afghanistan broken communication system, word has been slow spread between national headquarters , troops. there few computers, limited internet access , insufficient mobile telephone coverage. scouts have counted during visits regions. new policies kabul difficult spread.

the scout motto tayar osay, translating prepared in pashto.