Brief Organizational Background

Skills Training And Rehabilitation Society (STARS) was established by a group of intellectual Afghans thoughtful about their country in 1997 to offer services to their extent to the needy country people, particularly women.

 STARS is registered with the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation Development, ACBAR and in some provincial departments.

 Also since 2006 STARS is member of Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN).

 STARS advocates for gender equality and assisting local communities to improve their educational facilities, usually in the rural areas where the opportunity for education is extremely limited. The STARS helps to slow down the migration of people to urban slums by helping them to improve their conditions in their areas. STARS build relationships between people and invite them to take part in improving living conditions on individual and country level as a whole. STARS choose small-scale, sustainable projects, which suit the capacities of the local situation and where people are motivated to make good use of them.

 STARS focuses on the poor and educate the poor to learn how to utilize the in-hand resources to make it to a better and a more comfortable life.

 Based on its rational ideologies, STARS identifies every individual in the world as an international citizen. Every one is as important as the next one. Thus, the organization tends to enforce social and economical equality as well as equity between men and women and protection of human rights so that everyone is hopeful for a truly friendly future.

 The STARS is officially registered with the Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan. STARS works in full acquiescence with legal systems and official policies of Afghanistan and its operational procedures in no way contradict the legal requirements in the country of operation but takes note of the high interests of the valorous people of Afghanistan.

 Accomplishments:

During the years of its existence, STARS conducted some significant activities in seven provinces of Afghanistan namely Kabul, Balkh, Jawzjan, Daikundi, Herat, Ghor and Faryab. STARS’s performances in each province are noteworthy and momentous.

 Past Activities:

·         In May 2002 carpet-waving center for men and women in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province where skill trainers instructed many students in the mentioned field. By now most of these students are skillful enough to do their jobs without being directly supervised.

·         Computer and English Language Training Center in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province. The center was established in the second quarter of 2002 and so far, has graduated many students from the courses.

·         Integrated Agriculture Development & Food Security project jointly with CoAR in Daikundi Province. The project was being funded by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).

·         First Phase of Alternative Livelihood/Livestock Development Project jointly with CoAR in Daikundi Province to improve the knowledge of women in Animal Husbandry and increase their income by distributing sheep and kits with NCA support. STARS has completed the Second Phase independently and now continuing the third phase.

·          Accelerated Adult Literacy Project named “Learning for Life” funded by IRC for women in Jawzjan province.

·         Carpet Weaving/Literacy & Health Awareness for Women in Balkh Province Donated by I-PACS Counterpart-International (USAID fund).

·         Adult Literacy (LFL) Project to empower women in Herat Province supported by United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

·         Quality Primary Education Program (QPEP) for non going school children in Paghman District of Kabul Province, supported by Save The Children –UK through CoAR.

·         Learning For Life (LFL) Training to female teachers of Mother For Peace (MFP) organization.

·         Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Ghor Province donated by World Vision Int.

·         Alternative Livelihood/Livestock Development for women and handicaps in Faryab Province. The project was being funded by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).

 Ongoing Projects:

·         Community Midwifery Program (CME) in Ghor Province supported by World Vision Inc.

·         Quality Primary Education Program (QPEP) Phase II in Paghman District of Kabul Province funded by Save The Children/UK through CoAR. The project mainly implemented by CoAR where STARS is assisting in provision of class kits and supplies and Community Mobilization.

·         Skills Development and Literacy Program for women in Chemtal District of Balkh Province donated by USAID/ARD.

·         Basic Literacy and Numericy Training Program for women in Jawzjan Province with support of USAID/ARD.

·         Integrated Livelihood Rehabilitation Program for Women in Ghor Province donated by Christian Aid.

·         Vocational Training For Afghan Women Project (VTAWP) in Kabul Province supported by CARE-International

·         Continuing the 3^rd Phase of Alternative Livelihood/Livestock Development For Women in Daikundi Province donated by NCA.

 In all its projects, STARS tries to strengthen local cooperation, bring about better coordination amongst the different tribes and races, promote gender-sensitive and responsive learning at all stages of development and help people feel the ownership of the project. And in every project we are trying for having market linkages or relevant industry links for the beneficiaries to have income and feel self-sufficient.

Vision:

Economically empowered society of especially the marginalized women who are the front most vulnerable group of our society

 Mission:

Supporting the vulnerable groups of the society specially the women leading to self-reliance through skills development, income generating activities and public utility