Saturday, August 08, 2015 Vol. 1, No.2

2. Diaries3. Star-Related4-5. News

6-7. Literary8. Interview

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and promoting volunteerism.As a co-founder and a senior executive

of the institution, I welcome you to join us in making a difference in your life and in the life of the people around you.

and overseas higher education programs, it also prepares students for embracing modern values and becoming responsible citizens through facilitating dialogue forums, encouraging community service

In its one-and-a-half decade long history, Star has tried to contribute to the reconstruction of the country by concentrating on the Afghan social capital. By helping its students to reach their full potential and become responsible citizens, Star contributes to the development of a better tomorrow for Afghan people.

Star has the pride to be one of the finest English educational centers in the country with services in English language training, computer science and K-12 education. Star’s competitive programs have benefited school-age youth, university students, teachers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, and government officials. Through our programs, Star has touched the lives of men and women, young and old, people from all walks of life and from nearly every corner of Afghanistan.

In addition to connecting our students with the world through English language and computer education, Star has also been a leading institution in providing civic education, and encouraging civic engagement. Unfortunately, the legacy of war in Afghanistan still lingers and while our curriculum prepares students for job markets

Mohammad Hussain YousofiDirector of Star Educational Society

Welcome to

Quote of the Week“It is wrong to ask who will rule. The ability to vote a bad government out of office is enough. That is democracy.”

Karl Popper

Star Educational Society Weekly

Star Educational Society

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S.E.SJoin Us for A Difference

The Top Students of “B-A” Semester A Branch

Interstellar (adjective): situated or occurring between the stars; conducted, or existing between two or more stars

Unforgettable moments of

my life75%Something is easyThat's a piece of cake70%It’s raining heavilyIt's raining cats and dogs65%You need to studyYou need to hit the books64%There are many more people

to meetThere are plenty more fish in the sea

63%UnlikelyWhen pigs fly61%Don’t judge on outside

appearancesDon’t judge a book by its cover

60%I revealed a secretI let the cat out of the bag55%I am jokingI am pulling your leg53%It was expensiveIt cost and arm and a leg It cost

and arm and a leg51%You are correct or have the

right answerYou have hit the nail on the head

50%He diedHe kicked the bucket48%Don't take on more than you

can handleDon't bite off more than you can chew Don't bite off more than you can chew

48%Do each other favoursI'll scratch your back if you scratch mine

46%She is pregnantShe has a bun in the oven46%She is crazyShe's as nutty as a fruitcake

Proverbs are short, memorable phrases that often offer advice through metaphors. Which of these English proverbs and sayings are the most widely understood?

August 8th, 2015

Vol.1, No.2DiariesSES and remember the day I entered SES. I was accepted in Level One after passing the entry test with my five friends. Coming to my English class was extremely joyful and exciting. Every day was a new experience. I was proud of being at Star as a student and I had the dream and aim of being a teacher at Star. All the speeches I heard about Star were true. I had to study English, because I believed this would be the only way to help me and my siblings to excel in every aspect of our lives and to open doors of opportunity.

My parents never attended any public schools due to their low economic situation and too many other serious issues. In fact, they wanted their children to realize the dreams that they couldn’t and that is why they have always supported me and my siblings to study English in a better place. There is no better center than SES. After two years of hardships studying and tolerating many difficulties, I earned my English diploma. Subsequently, after several unsuccessful but relentless attempts, I finally succeeded to obtain a position as an English teacher at Star Educational Academy on September 10, 2012. This gave me the great opportunity to know and meet many people in the society, and utilize their experience and understandings in my everyday life. I think everyone should be proud of being at Star, it is the only place where we can achieve things we want in our life.

It was spring 2009, when my father returned back home. My father had been in Iran for more than 30 years to work for his family and decided to take the family to Kabul, where he had opened a small grocery shop. The income would be enough to sustain the family and allow me and my younger siblings to attend public schools. It was a welcome opportunity that my family will never regret. I started an accelerated school program to catch up with boys my age. In addition to attending public school, I had the opportunity to learn English language.

I started learning English in 2010 at Star Educational Society (SES) “C” branch. I was so interested in learning English and competed to join Star because I used to hear people saying, “Star teachers teach the best English” and many other good anecdotes. I was inspired to get into

Entering Kabul University’s Law and Political Science faculty was a big achievement and changed the whole destiny of my life. In the University, it was the first time I became acquainted with many authors and books. I studied French language and came the best French speaker in the class. University was an opportunity to get involved in civic activities. I was introduced to many civil society organizations and networks. I wrote many project proposals in different areas, some of which were approved and were awarded grants. I worked as program manager, project coordinator and am currently working as a research assistant. I volunteered with many reputable organizations and programs in civic and social activities. I participated, coordinated, facilitated and led many workshops, summits, conferences and short duration courses.

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to meet many people who helped shape me into the person I am today. But two people are the most important people in my life and I know I could not have lived and studied without their sacrifices – Jahantab, my

I was born and brought up in a large family in Daikundi province. We are a family of thirteen: my parents, my two sisters, my eight brothers and me. My father and my mother are both illiterate and are only able to read the Quran. From the day I could walk, I’ve been working in different fields: farming; ranching; collecting firewood; feeding and watering the animals; shopping; and other chores. When I was four or five, I began Islamic studies with all the other children my age. At age six, the government forced me to start formal school and I had to walk a distance of about four hours to school every day.

After collapse of Taliban regime, one of my brothers, Alidost, came to Kabul and after his graduation, invited the rest of my family to come to Kabul. Coming to Kabul was a turning point in our whole family’s lives. Despite facing terrible challenges, especially financial, there were many advantages over the life we had in Daikundi. I continued my school in Kabul from seventh grade in Abdur Rahim Shahid and finally graduated from Habibia High School with an excellent record.

mother, and Jankhan, my father. Other people who were most influential and made significant changes in my life include: Alidost, my brother; Bismellah, a student of Marefat and my university class fellow; Esmatullah Sahibdil, who first taught me proposal writing; and Hussain Yousofi, who encouraged me to read and be hopeful for the future. In addition to all them, Star Educational Society was the most important academic experience and all my successes and achievements are somehow connected to Star where I learned English language.

My life has been a constant journey of facing challenges and overcoming them which makes me optimistic about the future. I am approaching my future with determination and great visions. I am confident that I will improve my capacity to help my country out of poverty, ensure greater stability and promote a healthier society for the people of Afghanistan.

By: Mohammad Reza Sharifi

The People and Events that Shaped My LifeBy: Jomakhan Hamdard

Contributed by: Abdul Malik Baqeri

Page 2

Star is not only about teaching a language but also training our minds to think. At Star, we create dreams, build confidence and help to develop motivated students with big aspirations and ideas. We tell the students what opportunities they can pursue once they are fluent in English. Learning English language is exciting and offers many ambitious and practical benefits. It’s a skill that gives students a greater understanding of the world we live in. Star broadens the students’ horizons, interests and views and opens a whole new world to them when they learn English. – Jomakhan Hamdard

Most Widely Understood Proverbs

August 8th, 2015

Vol.1, No.2Star-Related

A former student at Star Educational Society, Bahara Mohammadi is currently teaching in B Branch during her summer break from Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School in the U.S. Last summer she was recognized by the United Nations and the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture during the International Youth Day Art Festival in Kabul. Her short documentary The First Women’s Internet Club was one of the top two finalists in the Concept and Skill category.

Over the past two years spent in the United States, I have realized media has a huge influence on how people view Afghanistan. Although some media channels cover the positive side of Afghanistan, most of the news highlights the explosions, deaths, and poverty in my country. I am fortunate to know there is so much more to Afghan life than blood and horror.

Recently, I was making my way back home from Washington DC to Kabul and I had a stop in Dubai’s international airport. I had dressed comfortably and forgot I would be going to Kabul where I need to respect the way of dressing, which means I had to cover my head and hair and wear a long piece of cloth. But I was just being me and ignored being an obedient young Afghan girl. I was late and there was a long line of people waiting to board. In the line, I saw many Afghan men with long beards and long white traditional Afghan clothes. To be honest, I was a little bit scared. I felt like they were giving me looks. I mean what kind of Afghan man would like to see an Afghan girl with a shirt and pants and a scarf that barely covers her head who has sunglasses on her head and Starbucks in her hand?

After a minute, I heard them whispering and I was about to freak out. I was preparing myself by coming up with defensive sentences and gestures in case they said something to me. I told myself in the worst scenario, I would just call

weeks, fourteen girls in Afghanistan and the United States talked over Skype about cultural differences. Now fourteen girls have altered the way they look at the other country and expanded their vision beyond common stereotypes. There are so many other things besides bomb explosions, poverty, and corruption in Afghanistan. People learn to love, respect, and smile and live happily with what they have. Afghans are strong believers, because otherwise it would have been just very hard to live in a country that everybody else thinks is only a birthplace for terrorists.

Mohammadi said, “This is my second short documentary movie. There are no internet cafes for women in Afghanistan and that is why a lot of women do not know what the internet is and how to use it. The Sahar Gul internet cafe is the first internet cafe just for women and it is a great step to educate women.”

You can watch the short documentary film here:

http://www.bitlanders.com/movie/the-first-womens-internet-club/41390

security. Suddenly, one of the men turned to me. I was so ready to make a scene. And he said: “It is a very long line, but you can go in front of the line. We can wait.”

Suddenly all my aggressive feelings were replaced with simple shame and regret. What do I think of myself? A girl who goes to the United States for education and now judges my own people by the common prejudices of the news or held by foreigners. That day those Afghan men taught me something that I never learned in a classroom. They taught me not to judge a book by its cover.

It can be easy to judge people of a country by their corrupt government and poverty, and ignore what they have gone through and what their real values are. It is very important for our generation around the world to understand these prejudices and be critical about them. Many of our judgments are based in haste on common stereotypes and labels put on a race or nationality. Raising awareness is the key to using our good judgment.

Last month, with the help of one of our school officials, Ms. Harrison, I created a blog called “High Schoolers’ Cultural Exchange.” This blog tries to raise awareness among teenagers about different cultures. It only covers teenagers in Afghanistan and United States, but we hope to expand it to more countries. These past few

Page 3

And the award goes to...

To be or

When you are far away from Kabul, you will miss the very little things - the crowded streets, the noises in bazaars, when they call you inside for Kabab, or when the buses call for going to Shar. You will miss the vegetable and fruit stores that, by their beautiful colors and designs, change the view of the streets, the view that you will see when you look at Kart-e-Sakhi’s mountains at night, sometimes you will even miss the muddy streets in winter and the dust when it is dry. The relationship between Afghans and Afghanistan seems complicated, if not for all, indeed for many. When you are in Afghanistan, you wish to be somewhere else; and when you are somewhere else, you wish to be in Afghanistan. Surely, this is not something to be proud of. In fact it is a “sad” relationship.

When you are back in the country, you begin to experience the many reasons that you simultaneously wish to be and not to be in Afghanistan. The absence of security, the weak education system, the lack of respect and unity and so on. But in spite of all these problems, Kabul is still life. You will be filled with joy and happiness when you see a girl who walks among the cars in the traffic and sells pens or when a little boy who cleans shoes, writes his homework in the corner of street when he takes a break. And these scenes on the streets of Kabul do not allow you to lose hope for a better future for Afghanistan and it’s people.

This reminds me of the famous sentence by Shakespeare, “to be or not to be,” although he used this in a slightly different context – to be alive or to be dead. The whole story in Shakespeare’s play makes this a difficult decision, but this should not be hard in the case of Afghanistan. Of course that we must “be”! We should be the creator of dreams that will give us energy to work for a better Afghanistan and for working we need to “be.” And as individuals we would not be so fruitful, we need to “be” as a united group who will respect each other, accept the differences and use them in favor of our mutual goals, instead of making them a target to get rid of the ones who are not like the other!

Let us all “be” together as one united nation! This is not some big men’s slogan, but a very simple wish of many others and mine.

not to be

“In Her Own Words”What I Learned Going Home

About the author: Fatima Haidary, a Star Educational Society Alumna, will be a freshman at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, U.S. in the fall. She is considering a major in civil engineering. She was a 2014 par-ticipant in the Pioneer Academics Research Program that is geared to provide outstanding high school students around the world with challenging and creative research opportunities across a wide range of disciplines. In the essay below she shares some of her experiences about returning to Kabul after studying in the U.S.

About the author: Mahsheed Mahjor, a former Star Student, is a junior at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, U.S. where she received the Muhlenberg Leadership Excellence Award. She is a former ANNpower Vital Voices Fellow and the co-founder of the Book Cottage in Kabul.

Page 4

After activation of water collecting in Band-e-Salma, Abdullah Abdullah, government executive minister said, “Activation of this Band brought some positive changes in agriculture and supplying power in Herat and Southwest district of the country. It will have a considerable impact on the economic situation of peoples’ lives as well.”

Two days ago, district authorities and Indian counselor announced the activation of water collecting in this Band. In the previous Ministry’s meeting Abdullah expressed his happiness related to the water collecting activation of Band-e-Salma. “It is a national project, activation of it will bring positive changes in peoples’ lives,” he added, ”Activation of this band will decrease the cost of power in Herat and neighboring provinces. It is what people want.”

Similarly, Ali Ahmad Aosmani, Afghanistan’s Minister of Energy and Water, said, “Peoples’ lives in the west of the country will be improved by activation of Band-e-Salma.” He added, “These changes will occur after the reservoir has been filled with water.”

Sir Aosmani said, “Activation of three turbines of this band will decrease the cost of electricity power in the west of the country, will provide irrigation for thousands of hectares of agricultural land, and hundreds of new jobs will be created. The Minister of Energy and Water stated that establishing this Band will improve the farmers economic condition, for dependency of Agronomy, making jobs, unwilling of youths toward addiction, eliminating poorness, and asked the private sectors to build their …..

Band-e-Salma located in Chasht Sharif district of Herat Province was established with $300 million of funding from India. It has the ability to generate 42 megawatts of power. It has a length of 20 kilometers, 7.3 kilometers width and can provide 640 million cubic meters of water.

This Band is a significant national project that began in Davood Khan’s period. During the civil war of 1357 its work had been stopped. The second period of its construction began in 2004, with the economic and technical support of India, and began collecting water on Sunday. Water will continue to be collected in the Band for nine to twelve months and when it is full the turbines will be activated.

international relationships he created during his administration do not provide him enough support from the international community to replace the current government. Therefore, it is unlikely that Karzai is determined to dethrone Ghani. Karzai is cleverer and will not get to pay for such propaganda brought by collapsing the ruling power.

But Karzai’s silence does not mean that the national unity government maintains strong rule. If the government collapses, the leaders’ serious errors (especially of Ghani) would be the reason for any probable power breakdown. Since 2001, there has never been such extensive insecurity, poverty and such a high unemployment rate. Considering the public satisfaction as the product of political handlings, we have reached a seriously anxious stage. Since 2001, the public satisfaction has never decreased as low as now. Such dissatisfaction may bring a hard time to Afghans and

this (Electoral Reform Commission), serious reforms in electoral system are not expected, but Naiem Ayoub Zada hopes that this commission will focus on technical and professional sectors more to prevent repetition of last election results. Currently government officials believe the ERC members are working honestly. Although the majority of the commission members are representatives of the political elements participating in power, government officials emphasize that autonomous entities, civil society, and the UN representatives are on the commission.

Initially, lawmaker Shukria Barakzai was appointed by President Ashraf Ghani to head the Electoral Reform Commission but with chief executive disapproval the commission was canceled. In the second round, roughly one week ago, according to President Ashraf Ghani’s recent decree the commission restarted its work. Sultan Shah Akefi

escalate to more harsh adversity. Then again, authorities are responsible for the potential power breakdown.

Not Karzai nor anyone else will rebel or set up any coup against the government. The ruling power shall definitely not break down by any rebelling. But the public protest on poverty, insecurity, discrimination and the leaders’ failures may cause the collapse of the regime.

Then who is responsible for the failures and ruling the state? It is obvious that government is a responsibility of the rulers. Therefore, the authorities of the national unity government should not create dissatisfaction by mismanaging the foreign and domestic policies. It must not motivate people to rise up against the government and cause its collapse. Thus, Karzai does not threaten the government. He is not able to stand against the power. But the nation possesses this ability and will think it up if necessary.

has been appointed Electoral System Reform Commission Chief and Sediqullah Tawhidi as deputy chief of the commission. Commission members include Kawoon Kakar, Mohammad Ali Amiri, Abdul Qadir Karyab, Bashir Farooq, Assadullah Saadati, Faizullah Zaki, Saleh Mohammad Registani, Shah Mahmood Miyakhil, Sabrina Saqib, and Doctor Alima. Abdul Majid Ghanizada, representative of the Ministry of Justice, and Tadamichi Yamamoto, representative of the United Nations in Afghanistan were also appointed as members of the commission.

The Daily Guardian quoted a western diplomat who said that Hamid Karzai is determined to break down the national unity government ruled by Ashraf Ghani and has been working on it for several months. “All his (Karzai) meetings with tribal leaders and politicians take place in anti-governmental task direction,” the diplomat said.

The article confirms the strained relations between Karzai and Ghani as well as political mismanagement of the national unity government inducing failures. On the other hand, both sides have ceased their dialogues since signing the Afghan-Pakistan treaty of intelligence coordination.

And now, is Karzai really determined to cause the collapse of the government? Is the government collapsible?

The Daily Guardian does not dramatize how Karzai would attempt to dethrone Ghani. The entire article invokes a western diplomat who talks about Karzai’s desire to collapse the government. Such an assertion is an extremely ambiguous claim.

Even if Karzai really wishes to break the government down and replace it with his own temporary administration, he will not succeed. Karzai realizes very wll the financial expenses of government that are beyond the realm of his resources. His foreign policy background and the

Electoral Reform Commission (ERC) has newly restarted its work according to President Ashraf Ghani’s recent decree, but currently the election monitoring bodies studying the commission announced that it is not the proper corrective action for Afghanistan’s electoral problems.

The election monitoring bodies welcomed the formation of this commission, however, they claim that it is an inefficient commission for Afghanistan electoral issues. Moreover, the commission on electoral reform does not have the ability to reform electoral issues due to the absence of members with any specializations in the legal and technical sectors.

The Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC claims that the members of the ERC are not neutral. Furthermore the members are being supported by the political teams of the parties involved in the election. He has also added that by studying about

Translated by: Ali Bamyani

Translated by: Mohammad Reza Sharifi Source: Daily Open Society

Abdullah: Activation of Band-e-Salma will have a significant effect on people’s life

Is the National Unity Government Collapsible?

Election Pollsters: The combination of ERC; not remedial

August 8th, 2015

Translated by: Emran PoyaSource: Etilaat Rooz Newspaper

Vol.1, No.2News

Page 5

On one hand, the peace negotiations are getting more highlights. On the other hand, the security is more fragile than ever. The whole country is worried about it, and the war is out of control now. Strategy of war changes every day. Beside the civilians, the number of Afghan militants’ casualties is increasing as well. What makes us more concerned is that Taliban have recently had their maximum attacks on local police stations in cooperation with the local residents while the authorities in charge have remained totally indifferent.

The soldiers were slaughtered by Taliban in Jalrez and Dai-Choopan as the result of government’s ignorance. These two incidents seem very questionable and, even worse, some close to the President are trying to legitimize them. In Badakhshan, a similar case, the government’s failure also resulted in the massacre of many soldiers!

The attacks on security forces as well as the government’s ignorance cause an uncertain future for Afghan soldiers. In such circumstances, the security authorities’ actions will have a significant negative impact on the morale of soldiers facing the war and no one knows how long they will tolerate this situation. The soldiers’ desertion is not a new phenomenon; it has been witnessed in more favorable conditions. Now that the insecurity is more threatening, it is not unexpected. In addition, the ambiguous policy of the government has made the situation more critical than ever for the security forces.

The current war forms a triangle of Taliban, security troops and the government. The security troops that are impacted by government and the insurgents play the principal roles here. If this situation continues, the soldiers are likely to stop resisting. The game of ‘peace and war’ is an unending drama whose directors still have more and more bloody scenes to show.

Barack Obama, President of the United States, on Monday during the first visit of a U.S. President to Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa and the headquarters of the African Union, began his meet and greet. According to Agence France-Presse – AFP, Mr. Obama went to Addis Ababa for bilateral talks with Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister, and Mulatu Tshvmy the President of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a strategic ally of the United States, but because of its record on democracy and human rights the country has always been criticized. It is expected that Mr. Obama will address regional leaders on South Sudan civil war to have their resolute support if the leaders of this war-torn country don’t stop the bloodshed. Obama would be America’s first president to address the African Union.

It is expected that International Federation of Association Football (Fédération Internationale de Football Association – FIFA) elections for the new head of this organization will be held on 26 February next year. According to a new decision, Joseph S. Blatter will lead this organization in next 7 months. He was elected as the president of this organization for the fourth consecutive time about two months ago, but because of widespread corruption at the International Federation, FIFA, decided to step down from his post before the end of the current period. According to AP, this date was defined by the FIFA Executive Committee on Monday. Joseph S. Blatter, aged 79, joined FIFA about 40 years ago, and has been leading this organization since 1998. Michel François Platini (born 21 June 1955), president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), is one of the key candidates for the FIFA presidency.

The first vice president, General Abdul Rashid Dostom, announced that preparation for the launching of military operations against insurgents in the north of the country is ready, and he called it a big operation.

As reported by Boghdi news agency, while meeting Friday evening with local commanders and tribal leaders who oppose Taliban in Sheberghan, the first vice president said, “Everything for launching a big operation is ready and the Commander in Chief with his solders have arrived in Fariyab”

Dostom said that Special Army commandos, special police forces, national security officers and local armed units have arrived in Fariyab and are on high alert. He added that few military aircrafts are already settled in Fariyab and have targeted several Taliban positions.

With the beginning of the new year when weather gets warmer many Northern provinces, especially Fariyab, have been made insecure by insurgents and national security forces and Taliban are busy fighting in several fronts. Officials in this province say the plan for liberation and removing the Taliban insurgent has been finalized.

Meanwhile General Dostom has said that forces under the command of Commander in Chief of Ministry of Defense have conducted multiple operations against Taliban in the area. The first vice president further said, “War in Fariyab is not solely war of one province. This war threatens all the Northern provinces, until we the Taliban is removed from every home and every town we will not sit in peace.”

It is expected that Saturday or Monday evening, General Dostom will be arriving in Fariyab. Launching military operations and helping the displaced families will be the main purpose of his

visit in this province. He also stressed that he will get the attention of International aid agencies to aid the displaced people. Whereas it is said that thousands of families in fear of their lives have escaped from warzones and have sought refuge in secure areas.

Earlier, UN Special Secretary General for Afghanistan had also traveled to Fariyab. He promised to bring more aid for the displaced families. Officials have reported that most of the displaced people who are living under the tents are in immediate need of first aid, mostly food and water.

Translated by: Nemat EhsaniSource: Daily Etilaat Roz

Translated by: Jomakhan HamdardSource: Open Society Daily

Translated by: Jomakhan Hamdard

Resistance to be broken. Where is the country heading with the current situation?

Obama arrives in Ethiopia as America’s first president

FIFA presidential election to be held in late February, 2016

Dostom: Opportunity to launch military offensive against insurgents is ready

August 8th, 2015

Translated by: Rasool AhmadiSource: Jaame-Baz Newspaper

Vol.1, No.2News

Page 6 August 8th, 2015

Hadi ZaherJuly 14, 2015

One of my aunties was a Qalandar. The Qalandar Hazaras had been driven

off their native land by the Kuchis. In the dead of winter she would tell us kids her story:

We lived in a valley called Nawoor Toghay, near Thai Bogha. We were a powerful and prosperous people. The land was fertile, and food was plentiful. We had almond farms. Upon harvesting the fruit, the women gathered to crush the seeds, and extracted almond oil. We bartered the oil for the things we needed. We also raised cattle, mostly fat and healthy sheep. The Qalandar herded their cattle on horseback. The arbab rode through the herd and sliced of sheep suet on the run. This was a show of power.

Then came the Kuchis, and it was all gone. The Kuchi attack caught us off-guard. Some fought, others could only run away. Many were butchered. We fled and were only able to carry what we could hold in our

hands. We ran and hid. Many didn’t make it. We ran to the settled Pashtuns and pleaded with them to save us. They protected us, the survivors, from the Kuchis. In the darkness of the night, they helped us flee to the Hazara lands.

My auntie was old. She died and took her stories to grave. Now I am old but I remember her stories. *Arbab = Nobles

About the Author:

Hadi Zaher was the first graduate of Star Educational Society in the year 1999. He is the nephew of the founder of Star in Quetta, Mr. Nabi Atiq. Hadi is also among one of the first Star graduates who together with Mr. Hussain Yousofi, was selected as a language teacher. Hadi Zaher has an BA from university of Wollongong, Australia in Economics and Politics. He is a post-graduate student of Juris Doctor at the University of New South Wales. His job includes being para-legal employee at Playfair Visa and Migeration Services in Sydney. He is also currently the president of Zaheristan, a virtual world of professional photography that he describes in these words: “A land of good people, a free people. A land where flowers bloom in streets, rubab music plays in the samovar tea houses, and kites fly in the skies.”

Your baabaye disappeared on his way to Iran. We waited for years for his return. He never returned. We assume he died somewhere in the desert.

After him, we had to live through some dreadful years. We were left with a little food, no savings, and no idea what to do about it. Your father was only thirteen, and the eldest male. He had to support our big family.

People from the village knew we couldn’t farm the land. They got together and promised us supplies and support. Most never delivered. A few good men did. Aatay Ghulam Li was a lifesaver. He got us the cows for the plow. Aatay Ali Jafar helped us farm the land. Others brought us food and firewood. The harvest that year was very small. We had to give away most of it to the people who we owed money to. The little bit that was left, helped us survive. *baabaye = Hazaragi for Grandfather

StoriesMy Grandmother

Told Me

3 - 4

I never imagined that ordering lunch in the U.S. would be an ordeal for me. Back in Afghanistan, I taught English for several years. I watched countless Hollywood movies, and worked with foreigners for almost four years. I performed well on standardized tests of English, or at least in English, like the TOEFL exam and the SATs. So I never expected that bread, cheese or a drink would challenge my English abilities.

The day I arrived in the US, my plane was diverted to Raleigh-Durham Airport in North Carolina. While waiting for my next flight, I went to one of the cafeterias close to my gate. People were lined up, so I went to the end of the line. It was crowded and the staff was working hurriedly. Since I had no idea what cuisines they served, I decided to order just a sandwich. I thought that’s the simplest, easiest and fastest food to get. It was my turn to place my order. I asked the lady for a chicken sandwich. She asked, “What do you want it on?” I stared at her quizzically and was speechless for a moment.

The lady asked louder, “What bun do you want?”

I said, “Just a chicken sandwich please.”

The lady replied impatiently, “Yes, I

** This personal essay by Ali Shahidy was originally published in Norwich University’s literary journal, “The Chameleon” winning the journal’s award for “Best Creative Nonfiction.”

pressure than the TOEFL exam. I never imagined that buying a sandwich in the US would be this challenging and cause me so much embarrassment. The $100 bill in my hand was damp with my sweat, squeezed and crumpled. “Bottled please,” I said, although I had no idea what the difference was.

When I paid for my food, I stood in my place expecting my food to be delivered to the counter instantly. The lady said, “Sir, this is your slip. Please take a seat and we will call you when your food is ready.” I nodded like a parrot who understands everything people tell him and walked away. But now I wondered how she would call me. While sitting at my table, I watched and listened vigilantly. I realized she was calling customers by number. I stared at the number on my slip and listened intently. When I heard my number, I took my food and found a seat far away from the cafeteria.

As I ate my first meal in the US, I pondered over the fact that I knew words like abrogate, conflagration and inexorable, but not the words “bun” or “fountain drink.” I could comfortably write professional technical proposals and review solicitations in English, but I broke into a sweat ordering a chicken sandwich. And then I realized my lunch ordeal wasn’t an English deficiency, but a cultural difference. I had just arrived from a country with very few options: bread is bread and cheese is cheese. And if we’re lucky enough to have any choices, it’s usually the choice between yes or no.

know. But what bun?”I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t

understand her. Then I thought maybe she was asking about the sauce. “Hmmm, it doesn’t matter,” I responded. She seemed irritated, and then asked rapidly, “Cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, provolone, or American?” This is what I heard: “Chedie, paper jack, Swiss (the country), provolo, or American (also, the country)?” I wondered, “Are they different types of chicken? Does chicken differ from one country to another?” I stared at her mutely as my brain tried to decipher the meaning of those words.

Starting to sweat, I acted as if I didn’t understand English at all. Then I said, “American please!” Maybe because that was the last option and the easiest to remember. Then she asked, “Fountain drink or bottled soda?” I just wanted to cancel my order and stay hungry instead of standing in front of this hasty waitress who seemed frustrated by me and whose offers I couldn’t understand at all. My anxiety mounted in this crowded line of hungry customers who were all waiting for me to finish my order, and I, I just didn’t know what to say. I said, “I just want a soft drink. That’s it ma’am.” She said, “I know, but bottled or fountain?” That was more

Vol.1, No.2Literary

Nothing challenged my readiness to live in the US more than a chicken sandwich

About the author: Ali Shahidy, Star alumnus, former Star teacher and former Star C-Branch manager, is the first student from Afghanistan at Norwich University in Vermont, U.S. During his first days in the U.S. he realized that all his studies of the English language couldn’t prepare him for ordering a simple sandwich at the airport.

Page 7 August 8th, 2015

Down1. A musical string instrument that is featured in many folk songs2. A quintessential dish that includes browned rice with sautéed carrots and raisins, served with lamp6. Thank you in Dari7. A region of Afghanistan known for its scenery8. Please in Dari9. The festivities following the month of fasting10. A veil or scarf used by some Muslim women to cover their heads or faces as a sign of modesty12. A conqueror that invaded Afghanistan in 1220

Across3. A deep Blue gem that is native to Afghanistan4. A national sport5. The national dance11. The first religion of Afghanistan prior to Islam13 A favorite past-time of Afghan children14. A percussive instrument highly common in Afghan music15. A religious month of fasting16. The unit of currency

Vol.1, No.2Literary

OS (Operating System) Office Programs Graphics Programming Web Development Database Networking

Answers to last week’s puzzle.

Saturday, August 08, 2015 Vol. 1, No.2

Interview

Our Rising Starian: From Watchman to Teacher to Executive Director

Editor-in-Chief: Ali Reza Yasa, ChairmanEditor: Kara LozierDesigner: Musa Autbin

Phone: +93-202504515+9377464-7308Email: interstellarbulletin@gmail.com Website: www.star.edu.af

An Interview with Mustafa Hussaini by Qamar Nisa

About the interviewer:

Qamar Nisa is a Star alumna who is currently a junior at St. Margaret’s School, a private high school in Virginia, U.S. She is supported by the Afghan Girls Financial Assistance Fund. Qamar will be conducting several interviews for the Interstellar Bulletin while in Kabul for her summer break.In this issue of the Interstellar Bulletin She interviews Mustafa Hussaini who has worked at Star Educational Society since 2005 and has been the Executive Director since 2012. He is currently in his second year at the American Univer-sity of Afghanistan where he is working on his Bachelor of Business Administration.

Tell me about your career at Star. I applied for a job at Star in 2005 and Mr. Yasa kindly offered it as he thought I had the potential. After couple months of training, I took over my duty. I began working at Star as a watchman. Six months later I started studying elementary English classes at Star. My rapid improvement in English made me qualified for teaching. Then, two years later, I became administrative office assistant. It didn’t take long that I was given the position of Discipline Director. Seven years later, I became the Assistant of Director General, Mr. Hussain Yousofi, due to my working potential. Then successfully, in 2012, Mr. Yasa promoted me to Executive Director of Star.

What do you enjoy the most about managing at Star? I enjoy working with Starians to educate young generation of Afghanistan to build a bright future. I love implementing rules and regulations at Star and encouraging my students to be organized by following discipline.

What are your favorite hobbies? Actually, there aren’t many fun things to do in Afghanistan, but I enjoy playing chess.

Is there any dream that you are still longing for? Yes, I have loved reading short stories and novels since my childhood, and I have a strong passion toward literature. One of my biggest dreams is to write

community where everyone is motivated to create a bright future for themselves and their people. They gave me inspiration to look toward life differently. I developed a strong desire to get further education and convey it to others.

What is the secret of your management? The secrets of my management are seriousness and honesty. I am very open and honest with my colleagues here. Also, I am very serious regarding rules and discipline while maintaining friendly relationships with my colleagues and students.

Who do you owe your improvement to? I am very grateful that I got to know Mr. Yasa. His support and encouragement helped me to reach to my goals. I totally owe him for my improvement and achievements. I love him so much. He is the one who told me, “You can do it”.

Why is discipline so important to you? I believe there is a system that keeps this universe going. It wouldn’t stand without discipline. Therefore, discipline is very important to me. Time management, planning ahead and following rules are crucial to one’s life.

How important is Star for you? Basically, Star is part of my

books in the future and publish them so that others can benefit from them.

What are you most proud of in your life? I am very proud that I am supporting my daughters to get education and follow their dreams and goals. Unfortunately, many Afghan females are victims of negative traditions and perspectives, and they don’t get the privilege to going to schools and universities.

What is one thing you value the most? There are two things that I value most highly in my life; one is education and the other is discipline.

What is the most essential lesson you have learned in your life and want to share with others? One of the most essential lessons I have learned from my experiences is striving for greatness and fighting with hardships. The first time I joined Star, I was an ordinary worker, but it didn’t take long for me to become one of the senior staff at Star.

When did a big change occur in your life? How did it influence you? My life changed when I understood the value of education. Although I studied before, I didn’t take it seriously. The day I joined Star, I realized that I am among a different

life. It is like the blood running through my veins. I am thinking of it day and night. It gives me so much joy and pleasure to see our students changing their lives as they join Star.

What are some of your future perspectives for Star? It is difficult to predict future, but I I am dreaming to see Star University in the near future. I think if Star keeps progressing as it is now, we can establish Star University soon.

Where do you want to stand at Star in the upcoming five years? I want to perform my duty as well as possible. Hopefully, I am looking forward to becoming a professor at future Star University.

What are some new changes that you see at Star in near future? We have recently opened Russian department at Star, and we are planning to offer more Languages courses. In addition, our newly opened Computer Lab is making wonderful progress.

What is your message for Students of Star? Don’t look at Star only as an English Center, but a life changing community. Star offers social mobility, and students should use it as a source of motivation toward a better future for their society.