Pashto is a language spoken by 30-40 million people, primarily in Afghanistan, some areas of Pakistan, as well as in smaller communities in the Middle East. Pashto is the official language of Afghanistan, where it is the first language of 40% of the population. It is used in education, official business and in religious institutions, as well as is a repository of the cultural and social heritage of the country. There is a New Testament for the Pashto spoken in Afghanistan, but only 31% of the adults can read it, while literacy rates for men are at 47% and for women at a shocking 15%. The Pashtuns, 99.98% Muslim, have been at the heart of armed conflicts and wars for the last fifty years. The long years of warring have destroyed their means of living, leaving illegal drug trade as their only way out. It is estimated that if they learn to read and write, their income could be raised five times.

Invest in primer/basic reader development: $15,000
Printing: $3,500
Adopt a literacy program supervisor for one year: $1,600
Sponsor four Teacher Training Workshops at $600 each.
Total Project: $22,500