Where has all the money gone and going?

Each year we report to contributors on accomplishments during the year. Below is this year's report. It by no means covers all that has been achieved. We are helping the victims of war and terrorist acts and concerned about the impact current events may have on our ability to raise funds. As I have told Afghan families since my first visit in 2005, we will help them rebuild their lives and country for as long as we are able. It's extremely important that a distinction be made between perpetrators of violence and its victims.

2015 Highlights

More children are now off the streets and in school
24 teachers provided after school classes for over 1300 children - more than 50% girls
6 high school and 3 college graduates sponsored through TIE
Computer library project underway with over 300 translated Khan Academy math videos and 6 computer libraries
6000 solar cookers distributed
Global Environmental award winner for SOLAR COOKERS

Educational Sponsorship Program

Brother & sister Both sponsored through TIE.

An estimated 60,000 children work on the streets o f Kabul, begging, selling gum, looking for scrap metal, shining shoes, and doing whatever it takes to survive. Most families cannot afford to forgo the income they generate. This was a banner year. With 11 new sponsors there are now 75 sponsored children. This year there were 10 in college, three who graduated and 6 who graduated from high school.

Support of $50 per month makes it possible for sponsored children to get off the streets and go to school

. Education completely alters their lives.

US Denton Program Reopens!

The Denton program allows humanitarian aid to be shipped on military aircraft for free on a space availability basis. It closed down for Afghanistan in October 2014 and reopened a year later. Our first shipment several years ago weighed less than 6,000 pounds. Our last was 66,000 pounds. It's enabled us to provide 6,000 solar cookers, enough computers to support 7 computer libraries, enough rice donated by Stop Hunger N ow to provide 1.5 million meals to families living in refugee camps and distribute over 10,000 handmade knitted garments, and tons of shoes and warm clothing.

Our next packing party is this Saturday. A reminder will follow.

Digital Learning Comes to Afghanistan

Working with Khan Academy, TIE is translating Khan Academy educational videos into Dari and Pashto, Afghanistan's main languages. Afghan children are now able to learn by themselves, at their own speed, and on their own time. Children with access to the internet can watch and listen to all of the videos online. Those without access to the internet, can learn at libraries we are establishing in schools and neighborhoods. Over 500 children are using the 6 computer libraries we've e stablished so far. More will be opened in 2016.

One of six computer libraries

TIE Wins 2015 Energy Globe Award

Solar class in progress.

Jack Howell, TIE's Solar Oven Project Director, has brought a singular honor to TIE -- the prestigious Energy Globe Afghanistan award. This year's contest had 1,500 entries from 177 countries.

Solar cookers eliminate smoke, the cause of 2 million deaths a year, reduce deforestation, and pasteurize water. Over 3,000 families living in refugee camps have taken our solar cooking course and have two cookers. With an average of 10 members per family that's 30,000 Afghans who know how to cook with solar and can.

TIE Volunteers and Supporters

Once again dedicated and passionate TIE volunteers and supporters donated, knit, sewed, sorted, and packed clothing and blankets; cleaned thousands of Mylar bags donated by Peet's Coffee stores,assembled solar cookers,made WAPI's; organized or participated in events to raise funds; sponsored children; and sustained our conviction that together we can improve li ves and change their world. TIE brings hope to many who have little.