Preparing for deployment for a USAID consulting mission to Afghanistan provides a few additional challenges than the usual international work. These included security briefings, determining and purchasing culturally appropriate clothing, and considerations of appropriate teaching methods.
The US State Department/USAID contractor that I am working for is IRD: http://www.ird.org/ My introduction toIRD came through Azad Mohammadi, my former expert witness for river modeling, and former City of Portland Water Bureau engineer.
Consultant to the firm, William F Schroeder, introduced me to Azad while we prepared for hearings in the Klamath Adjudication. Azad is now IRD’s Regional Director for the Mid-East. To find out about some of the work that IRD is doing in Afghanistan check out http://www.ird.org/our-work/success-stories/recovering-from-loss-caused-by-conflict
John, IRD’s security chief stationed in Afghanistan, was extremely helpful to ease my concerns and perhaps some of the concerns of my family? I found the advice pretty consistent with international travel in general. A new helpful tip was a link to http://eurotalk.com/en/store/learn/dari/talknowdl/dl which I will download in order to follow the security rule to memorize important local phrases in Dari!
As to “what to wear,” I met early on with women who were roommates with, friends of, or married into the conservative side of the Moslem faith and culture. I was also advised by men dealing with security and completing long term assignments in Afghanistan. Interestingly, the women and men had different advice. While the men said, “Just cover your head,” the women told me that I may be in danger of arrest for indecency if all my hair, skin from neck to wrist, and skin from neck to ankles was not covered! What to do?
Trusting the women on this and knowing that it will be easier to wear less than more, I searched the internet to complete some online shopping for culturally appropriate clothes. Confusion reigned! The clothing names, sizes, and how to wear the various items were all unfamiliar. Finally, I just “went for it” at” http://www.eastessence.com/ Later, I found out that I might have shopped in Portland, Oregon at http://www.al-ikhlas.com Maybe there is still time!
As to facilitation methods, I am expecting it will be a challenge. Not knowing the culture or my class make-up, I am still struggling with the workshop outlines in governance and public administration. I have about a week to go before the actual workshops begin! As my office manager, Ms. Daryl Cole advises frequently, “There is still time to panic!” My Afghanistan IRD contact, Glen Hearns, the trans boundary water specialist has been working with me on SKYPE for the past month to assist me. After arrival in Kabul, I expect that we will have intense work ahead of us.
Stay tuned!
