“HARVEST OF HOPE” IN AFGHANISTAN FOR FARMERS AND FAMILIES

Roots of Peace “on target” to export 1200 metric tons of fresh grapes and apples
30 million pennies raised to build school, soccer field and library for Afghan children

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009—KABUL, AFGHANISTAN—Roots of Peace, a U.S. based NGO, is preparing to celebrate a “Harvest of Hope” in Mir Bacha Kot—former frontline of the Taliban. Focusing on education and agriculture, Afghan farmers are now sending their children to a school built entirely out of American “pennies.” Since September 11, 2003, over 30 million “pennies” have been raised to restore hope and change in a country where 44.6% of the population is under 14 years old. The dedication of a new library with 500 new books in Dari and Rotary Club English Dictionaries will provide the necessary tools for educating the next generation of Afghan students. The event will be hosted at Mir Bacha Kot School in Kabul Province at 11:00 AM.

This year by exporting 400MT Metric Tons of “fresh grapes” from Afghanistan to neighboring countries, Roots of Peace will double/triple the income for the average Afghan farmer by creating alternative agricultural crops to poppies. Through its MINES TO VINES program, Roots of Peace, a humanitarian non-profit organization, raises money to remove landmines so that grapevines or other food crops can be grown. Working in 23 of the 34 provinces, Roots of Peace is helping to create sustainable futures for farmers and communities—replacing the scourge of landmines with bountiful agricultural crops. The goal is to reclaim the legacy of Afghanistan as “The Garden of Central Asia” by training local farmers to plant apples, oranges, apricots, almonds, cherries, pomegranates and fresh grapes in a cornucopia of peace.

Brigadier General Barbara J. Faulkenberry and Brigadier General Lonnie Culver of USAF will join with the District Governor Rahim Rashid of the Mir Bacha Kot region, Commander Ashim Khan, Chief of Police, and Commander Said Amruddin, in the spirit of American/Afghan partnership. Together, they will distribute warm clothing donated by the community in Fremont, California—the largest population of Afghan/Americans living in the USA—respecting the plight of Afghans. Over 400 boxes of warm clothing, blankets and school supplies were shipped to Roots of Peace.

Immediately following, the delegation will visit the Mir Bacha Kot Fresh Fruit Packing facility funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with Roots of Peace. This Fall 2009, Roots of Peace (RoP) is on target to export over 1200 metric tons of fresh grapes and apples to India and Pakistan—dramatically increasing the income for farmers by cultivating alternative agricultural livelihoods in a country which is 80% dependent upon agriculture. As Thanksgiving and Eid coincide next week, the spirit of celebrating the bounty is shared by both Afghan and American cultures who are working together in 23 of the 34 provinces with RoP.

Roots of Peace (www.rootsofpeace.org) is a California based humanitarian non-profit organization. Their MINES TO VINES initiative replaces toxic minefields with bountiful agricultural vineyards. Since 2001, over 100,000 landmines and UXO’s have been removed allowing thousands of Afghan farmers to cultivate grapes, pomegranates, apricots, apples, cherries and a cornucopia of fruits. The Roots of Peace Afghan value chain transports these improved agricultural crops across borders to India, Pakistan, Dubai, Uzbekistan, and Russia through cold chain storage facilities. The result is the increase of income to Afghan farmers to build a foundation of hope and change for the future.

1299 Fourth Street, Suite 200 San Rafael, CA 94901 • Tel: 415.455.8008 • www.rootsofpeace.org