Davy Weaver Memorial Project
A Project Of Support For The Children Of Afghanistan and Our Men and Women Who Protect Us There
The Afghan Situation
The average life expectancy for an Afghani child at birth is 44 years.  The median age in Afghanistan is 17.6 years.  Please
imagine the United States with a median age of 17.6 years or to know that you will only live to be 44 years old.  The infant
mortality rate alone is 151 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Many things contribute to this staggering fact; but the three things that stand out are that there is very little, if any, prenatal care
for expectant mothers. Many times within the tribal areas girls as young as 10 are given over to be wives, creating additional
health problems for girls in particular.  In addition, the rate of disease, especially waterborne, is extremely high, dysentery,
typhoid, hepatitis A, bacterial and protozoal diarrhea and malaria are an everyday occurrence due to the lack of potable water.  
And finally, there is no health care to speak of in the rural and tribal areas.
More than two-thirds of Afghani's are totally illiterate with only 28% of the population age 15 and older being able to read and
write. In addition, only 12.6% of girls are literate as of age 15; and most telling is the fact that on average females only receive 4
years of schooling.  That is equivalent to NO EDUCATION after third grade for girls. The reasons for this vary but a large part of
the problem is that the Taliban still instill fear in the villages and their teachers, especially when it comes to the education of girls
according to the CIA Fact Sheet on Afghanistan.  You may also view the New York Times slide show presentation
'Daily Life In Afghanistan As Seen Through The Eyes Of Children, Elders, And Soldiers'
A key part of the difficulties the US and her allies face is the fact that Afghanistan has a 40% unemployment rate, and inflation is
a staggering 13% for 2008, the latest available data.  Again, imagine what the United States would be if we had a 40%
unemployment rate and inflation running at 13% per year.  This problem alone, due to economics and a severe and EXTREMELY
under reported drought, has caused such a shortage in staples that bags of flour are now being sold for more than $50 dollars.  
When faced with these dire numbers many Afghani's, out of desperation, become part of the Taliban for hire, in order to at least
be able to feed their families.  Or of course they also turn to the major income source of Poppy cultivation which is a prime source
of financing for the Taliban. This in itself is ironic when you consider the fact that the Taliban when in power outlawed the
growing of Poppy.  When we hear our Military and Civilian leaders discussing trying to work with the non-hardcore Taliban, it is
these people that they are discussing.
Our troops daily face an enemy with no regard, or care, for the safety of the Citizens of Afghanistan.  There is NO DOUBT that
the Taliban frequently use the villagers, and most especially the children, as shields in many battles and skirmishes.  The Taliban
hide within the villages and strike from these areas making it almost impossible for US, Afghan, and Nato troops to have a battle
without the very real consequence of civilian and child deaths.  When this occurs the Taliban in turn blame the US or it's Allies for
these deaths, when in truth every precaution is taken to minimize civilian casualties.
General David Petraus, Admiral Mike Mullen, and even the White House acknowledge that this battle will not be won through
guns and bombs only.  They all have said repeatedly that we MUST do all we can to reach out to the citizens of Afghanistan, to
raise the support amongst the people for our troops to be successful there.  The people in general like and respect the soldiers
of our Services and like the American People, they are just afraid of the Taliban.  We must do more to show our troops and
country as friends and protectors.  The typical aid is so tied up in bureaucracy and corruption that very little is actually received
by the people, especially the children.  This project changes that by directly sending items to the soldiers to give to the village
children.  It helps our troops to build relationships with the people and show the citizens of America and her Allies to be
providers, while the Taliban take.  There are many articles (one attached here) that outline why it is so important to make an
effort to build these relationships.  If we don't, Afghanistan will never succeed.
This situation will not change overnight, but when thinking of all the facts, there is no other option but to help. The children are
the key, the future; and with our help they have a chance to make Afghanistan something better in the future.  
There is no other choice.


To Date  In Addition To The Countless Numbers Of Afghani's,
1593 US And Allied Troops Have Given Their Lives In Support Of Operation Enduring Freedom - Of Those 961 Have
Been Casualties Suffered By The United States of America, And The Families of Those Lost
15 Of  Those Have Been Since January 1, 2010
(click here for the latest updates from icasualties)

Do Not Let Them Serve And Sacrifice For Your Freedoms In Vain
Be An Active Participant In The War On Terror
Because Patriotism Is NOT Just A Spectator Sport
We Must
Do All We
Can To
Assist The
People Of
Afghanistan
And
Especially
The
Children

To Help
Them
Create A
Better
Afghanistan
In The
Future!