14th of September

Hi everyone... 

Many of you will be only too aware how awful recent events have been in Afghanistan. Dozens of people have been brutally murdered throughout the country - and the police and army are struggling to respond. The only future is one where some kind of political accommodation is made with the Taliban but now that they have finally announced the demise of Mohammed Omar it's not entirely clear who speaks for the Taliban - if indeed anyone ever really has. It's so sad. Millions of ordinary Afghans - like Mir (from The Boy Mir) - just want to raise their families in peace but that remains a distant likelihood. That said, Mir fortunately lives rather remotely and kit would be a shock indeed were his community to be struck with the wanton and shameful violence we see elsewhere. 

Mir's problems remain entrenched in poverty, employment, education and health. But, for moment, all is well and we should have interesting news of a possible life-changing event for Mir before the end of the year. 

One final request: we are, as ever, raising funds for female teachers for Mir's village. Please donate anything you can afford to my Just Giving site here. I'm running half & full marathons to raise funds. Maybe you could too?