***Job Opportunity in Afghanistan*** *LINK*
Ellis Walentine
>Hi folks,
I have received a note from Tim Moore, Cultural Affairs Officer from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, with news that the Turquoise Mountain Foundation is looking for a Master Woodworker for an exciting job in Afghanistan. To quote Mr. Moore:
The Turquoise Mountain Foundation (www.turquoisemountain.org) was founded several years ago to help Afghanistan rebuild by preserving several artisan crafts and passing them on to a new generation. They now employ master wood carvers, carpenters, calligraphers and potters who are training dozens of people to do the work that would allow them to find employment while rebuilding Afghanistan�s traditional buildings. I first encountered them when I arrived in Kabul in May 2006, and more or less adopted the wood shop as my personal charity (which many people in this embassy do) so that when I packed out of Riga I brought my drill press and some other tools to donate.A year later they are doing much better, since their redevelopment plan for the center of old Kabul has appealed to a number of international donors, including USAID which is negotiating to give them several million dollars for the Murad Khane project.
So they no longer need my charity, but they still need professional help. Andrzej Pawalec has been brought in to guide their business development and he asked me if it would be a good idea to send a want ad for an experienced woodworker to the WoodCentral site, to see if one of your more adventurous members would be interested in working in Kabul for a while, to help train their students.
CLICK HERE to view the job description that was sent to me by Andrzej Pawelec, Business Development Manager of Turquoise Mountain, in Kabul. And, by all means, click the Turquoise Mountain link below for some stunning views of the Afghan environment and details of the good efforts to restore it.
I am honored that these folks regard the WoodCentral community as a prime resource for an important and challenging position like this one. If you or anyone you know -- professional woodworkers, woodworking schools, industry groups or associations, etc. -- are interested in learning more, please click the link above for the particulars.
Ellis Walentine, Host
Turquoise Mountain Foundation