PLK field trip

The reason for adventurous travels through the Salang Pass was to visit our program office in Pulikhumri (PLK) which oversees operations for projects in Baghlan Province. Because of security concerns, we could only visit project sites within the city limits even though most of our infrastructure, livestock and agriculture projects take place in rural communities.

Still, it was very productive trip and a great break from what has become the monotony of Kabul. While in PLK we visited a spillway project and an old textile factory which will be the future site for a cash-for-work project targeting women. They will be trained to "weave" gabions. What is a gabion? Oh the things I get to learn on this job. A gabion is a wire cage that is used in protection wall construction to protect agriculture land and communities from flooding. Stones and cement are packed into the gabions which reinforce the wall structure. I'm sure I'll find a use for that information someday. Construction trivia pursuit? In the meantime, I'll make use of the information to generate some donor interest stories about improving the lives of women. (Photo: a folded up gabion)

Another interesting thing I learned about is devil's dung. A crop grown in the wild on hill-sides. The resin that oozes out of a cut bulb, hardens, is pulverized, cut with flour and used in very small amounts in Indian cooking (the ingredient is called asafoetida). There are also claims for its medicinal qualities. Recent articles claim it could fight H1N1. We met with several farmers to discuss how the crop is cultivated and what they need to be more successful. Devil's dung has earned its name, because the stench is a wretched cross between sulfur and rancid onions. After sitting in a room for two hours with the odor wafting about, I was nauseated and had to leave. Cooking apparently changes the smell and flavor, so I haven't completely sworn it off - how can you with a daring name like devil's dung. (Photo: resins and seeds)