CLUB NEWS News from Afghan Connection Many of you will remember that back in the summer of 2019, the WV Cricket Club hosted an excellent fundraising cricket match against an army team, the Delhi Spearman. The match raised money for the charity, Afghan Connection, that St Peter’s Church was also supporting. The charity has just sent us news about the great progress they’ve made and some heart-warming success stories – it makes for happy reading in these difficult times, so here are some highlights!
‘Cricket: we are excited to see that our final cricket project to coach 500 girls and train 50 female coaches in Kabul and Herat has created genuine momentum. Not only has the Afghan Cricket Board continued to support the girls, running tournaments and identifying talented players for regional teams, but exciting news – hot off the press – is that they have now officially selected 25 women to form a National Women’s Cricket Team. A much hoped for wish will now become a reality!’ Maggie Henry
Wriggle Valley Ladies Group
‘We are pleased to report that, despite many challenges, the projects have continued to run this year. In Worsaj and Rustaq, we succeeded in delivering teacher training programmes for a total of 89 teachers (79 women, 10 men). Children in our community-based education classes are now back at school after class closures due to the pandemic. Every effort was made to ensure students had access to learning materials during the suspension of classes and teachers’ salaries have been paid throughout. Construction work has continued at Kiwan School in Rustaq and the school should be complete by the end of the year. More than 500 girls who once studied outside, exposed to the elements, will soon be sitting at desks in newly built classrooms.
In the words of Dame Vera Lynn, ‘we’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when,’ .. but we will meet some time soon. I do hope everyone is staying healthy and safe in these unchartered times. It seems so long ago when we were all together enjoying such a happy time and I am so sorry it will not be this year, but it will happen again. I now wish you all a happy and good Christmas and a healthy New Year. Ruth Sanford
Wriggle Valley Voices
– lockdown won’t stop the music! Despite all the uncertainties and barriers that the ever-changing government guidelines have put in the way, Wriggle Valley Voices are back! Rehearsals resumed in October, following all the relevant rules and safety measures. Kate felt quite mean making all choir members stand in draughts by 49
