It is my pleasure to congratulate JRS on completion of 15 fruitful years of service in Afghanistan. I am witness to the path-breaking work in the field of education being done at the community, higher education and policy levels.

 

I had the privilege of working in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2015. The seed of this venture was sown by Fr Stan Fernandes who introduced me to Catholic Relief Services, which was looking for a consultant to support their fledging watershed development program in Afghanistan.

I vividly recall my first visit to Bamiyan where I enjoyed the warm hospitality at the JRS house followed by a field trip into the towering Koh-e-Baba mountains to study the potential for watershed development. We visited Sar-e-Ahangaran village where JRS was supporting a primary school. Both Fr Stan and I agreed that it was a good location and Sar-e-Ahangaran soon became the cornerstone of

the CRS natural resources management program in the western highland region. 

 

I extend my gratitude, prayers and best wishes for the continued success of JRS work in Afghanistan.

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