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Introduction
Afghan Literacy Organization is a registered non for profit, non‐political and non‐governmental organization working for development and transformation of civil society in Afghanistan. ALO was established in August 1995 and registered with Ministry of Economy to response the need of vulnerable Afghan refugees and internally displaced families at the time of civil and factional fighting following Soviet Union’s invasion of the country and troops withdrawal in early 1990’s. ALO is established to work for Afghan Communities in the fields of Education, basic health care, gender, human rights, capacity building, and income generating activities and rehabilitation as well as emergency operations like food distribution targeting the most vulnerable Afghan people. ALO has main office and sub offices in several provinces (Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Urozagan and Zabul). ALO consists of several departments (education, health, social affairs, and etc) and has experts, specialists and experienced male and female staffs in each department that they are capable for implementing of various programs and projects in different fields.
Vision
ALO's envisions a stable, peaceful and democratic society where everybody is inspired to bring a positive change to their communities
Mission Statement
ALO’s mission is to facilitate the process of sustainable social development by mobilizing and building capacities through civic education, Trainings, seminars, advocacy and technical assistance. To share research, experiences and learning and use this to actively influence for positive change at all levels
Governance
ALO sees to good governance as a critical capital for success. The primary lead for Governance Structure and functions of ALO is Constitution of the organization. The collective wisdom of dedicated staff of ALO acting together in the interests of furthering the organization’s mission is vital to achievement of its mission. The Governance Structure of the organization is always being refined, improved and adjusted as needed to meet the organization needs. Local laws and culture are important factors in pursuing distinction in the organization governance. ALO Governance always focuses on accomplishment of the organization mission through the following levels in its Governance Structure.
Financial Management
ALO sees that Financial Management is about explaining and accounting for what has happened in the past and forecasting income and expenditures in the future. One of the key principles underlying the work of the organization is that of accountability to donors. ALO ensures to maintain good accounting records based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for non for profit organizations, subject to different donor guidelines. As a result of the funding structure and reporting requirements, there are multiple reporting requirements. Fundamentally, ALO maintains the accounting records in a way to accommodate both (a) donor reporting and (b) organization’s reporting. ALO has a standard Chart of Accounts (CoA) system suitable to its size and in line with its program activities. This standard chart of accounts is the foundation for general ledger, and therefore, the basis for the organization’s accounting and financial reporting system. For the purpose of consistency the chart of accounts developed by ALO Main Office and all Provincial Offices maintains the same chart of accounts. ALO use Internal Control System, which consists of all measures to safeguard its resources and ensure accuracy, efficiency and reliability in accounting and operating information. It is the responsibility of the organization higher management to implement and monitor the Internal Control System. In order to safeguard its resources, ALO sees to the segregation of duties in the organization as an important part of Internal Control System. The authorization types and levels are designed to authorize the organization staff to make expense commitment for the purpose of approval of expenditures, or approve cash and bank disbursements.
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Education, Basic health & Environment
Education
The organization, focus on formal, non formal and vocational education for the urban and rural communities of Afghanistan. ALO is especially interested in Female Education in rural areas of Afghanistan and also in reforms in education sector. The methodology which ALO adopted is Sustainable Participatory Approach.
Health
ALO aims at strengthening civil society to promote transparency and accountability as well as rights of vulnerable groups (women, Children & youth) including people with disabilities. Empowerment of women and youth based on increased strategic, managerial, advocacy and monitoring capacity of civil society organizations in the southern region.
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Civil Society Development
Civil Society Development
ALO aims at strengthening civil society to promote transparency and accountability as well as rights of vulnerable groups (women, Children & youth) including people with disabilities. Empowerment of women and youth based on increased strategic, managerial, advocacy and monitoring capacity of civil society organizations in the southern region.
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Water, Environment, Sanitation
ALO is actively involved with drinking water supply sanitation, best practices of health hygiene and awareness raising campaigns about Environment pollution and solid waste management/disposal.
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Protection and Legal Assistance
Natural Resource Management
Protection and Legal Assistance
ALO is actively playing its role against violation of Human rights, especially Women and Child Protection, according to the UN Convention on Child Rights (CCR) to enable them to get their due status in society. Organization is also providing legal assistance to prisoner women and helpless people
Natural Resource Management
The organization mainly focuses on un-taping Natural recourses to bring positive change in the lives of marginalized community by enhancing the agricultural production and modern research to bring best practices in Agriculture sector for large production.
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Community & Organization Participation
ALO is going to make a network of community base organization for the development of communities through a process of social Organization and participation of the community masses.
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Awareness,Practicality,Innovation and Flexibility
Awareness
ALO’s goal is to ensure that international organizations and agencies understand the full extent of their potential local impact, and are conscientious about maximizing their positive footprint.
Practicality
Real solutions are based on realities on the ground. ALO designs and develops strategies that are easiest to implement and deliver immediate tangible results.
Innovation and Flexibility
Different situations require different approaches. ALO recognizes that the best ideas and plans can come from any sector, sometimes from sectors that may not have been previously explored.
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Livelihood/ Enterprise development
Women Empowerment
Livelihood/ Enterprise development
Organization is interested in skill enhancement skill training and micro credit for enterprise development especially for women.
Women Empowerment
Organization is interested for the equal rights for both male female and gender sensitization in promotion the women rights and gave them their due role in society. Skill enhancement enterprise development and decision making power to women.
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Disaster Management & Emergency Situation
Disaster Management & Emergency Situation
The organization gives its volunteer services in Natural Disaster i.e. Earthquake, Drought, Wars, and Floods etc to national and international development agencies during relief and recovery program in affected areas.
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Volunteerism, Achievement
Volunteerism
Volunteerism is one of the key sectors, through volunteers different activities can be done in disaster management. The organization is interested to improve social groups with the aim of alleviating poverty through developing social, natural, human and financial capital of the communities in Afghanistan. Its main focus is on education, Watson, livelihood and health hygiene. Believing in the idea that sustainable development and economic growth need social organization and resource mobilization. ALO is established with the motto to mobilize, motivate and organize communities. That is why more than 180 members throughout the region have their links with the organization in one way or the other.
Achievement
ALO by sector has implemented projects in Infrastructures, Agriculture and Irrigation, Water and Sanitation, Food security and Emergency, Feeder Roads rehabilitation and Shelters, Education and Vocational Trainings, IDPs and returnees, Human Rights, Street Working Children, National Solidarity Program, Election Process in Afghanistan, and etc. As well, ALO has implemented projects including but not limited Rural Areas from Emergency to Rehabilitation to Development Projects, 112 projects implemented by ALO in the southern region (Kandahar, Nimroz, Urozgan, Helmand and Zabul Provinces) of the country. The majority of projects can be summarized in the following categories.
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National Solidarity Program (NSP) and Community Development
National Solidarity Program (NSP) and Community Development
ALO by sector has implemented projects in Infrastructures, Agriculture and Irrigation, Water and Sanitation, Food security and Emergency, Feeder Roads rehabilitation and Shelters, Education and Vocational Trainings, IDPs and returnees, Human Rights, Street Working Children, National Solidarity Program, Election Process in Afghanistan, and etc. As well, ALO has implemented projects including but not limited Rural Areas from Emergency to Rehabilitation to Development Projects, 112 projects implemented by ALO in the southern region (Kandahar, Nimroz, Urozgan, Helmand and Zabul Provinces) of the country. The majority of projects can be summarized in the following categories.
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Civil Society and Human Rights projects
Civil Society and Human Rights projects
ALO has implemented project Human Rights projects in two provinces (Kandahar and Helmand). The objective of the project was to eliminate violence against women in two province – Kandahar and Helmand. The project was awarded by Counterpart International through I-PACS program and the duration of the project was one year. As well, a project title STEP (Supporting the Election Process) has been implemented in two provinces Kandahar and Helmand. This project was also awarded by Counterpart International and the duration of the project was one year (2010).
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Water/Sanitation, Agriculture/Irrigation Experience
Water/Sanitation
As part of its rehabilitation work in the southern region ALO has been successful in provision of safe drinking water by drilling 784 bore wells, 824 latrines and hygiene education in the districts of Zabul, Kandahar, Nimroz, and Uruzgan provinces. These projects were funded by UNICEF, UNDP, PRT, COOPI/USAID, Action aid, SC UK and Royal Embassy of Netherlands.
Agriculture/Irrigation Experience
ALO has implemented many projects in agriculture and irrigation sector like karezes/canals rehabilitation, nurseries, improved seeds, fertilizer distribution, saplings distribution, chicken distribution and saffron cultivation in the south west zone of Afghanistan, funded by WFP, MRRD, UNAMA, IOM, FAO, and PRTs.
As well, ALO is involved in a vast project that is working on 100 jeribs land for 100 local farmers cultivating saffron while receiving 55 tons of seed. Similarly ALO distributed 43,000 pieces of different types of saplings including fruits and non fruits to about 560 farmers. The purpose of this project was to find an alternative to opium cultivation. During 2014 – 2015, ALO has awarded four projects by WFP namely ESP, School Feeding, Emergency and WFF projects which are implementing in five provinces namely Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Urozgan and Nimroz Provinces. Economic Stressed project was designed to distribute food to poor people in three provinces, Kandahar, Zabul and Urozgan province, School Feeding program is implementing in Zabul province, Food for Asset project is implementing in Nimroz province and Emergency project is covering whole southern region of Afghanistan.
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Education/Training/Child Protection/Capacity Buildings
Education/Training/Child Protection/Capacity Buildings
In the field of Education and Training, ALO has implemented several project in the southern region of the country. Totally, 13 projects implemented including but not limited women’s skill training (sewing, tailoring and carpet weaving), men’s skill training (carpentry, masonry), and health education. The projects were awarded by several donors including MRRD, UNICEF, JICA/PCI.
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Community Participation and Project Working System
Community Participation and Project Working System
The projects related to Community Participation and Project working System, ALO has implemented project in Kandahar Province, the projects were designed that all project were implementing by local community with full support and cooperation of ALO. ALO was only responsible for coordinating and monitoring the project activities in the target areas. The project was awarded by JICA/PCI and Kandahar Province with duration of one year in 2010.
