Bpeace in Kabul

Friday, June 04, 2004

Day 1: DUBAI

Masuda, her mom, and sister, Corinne (from the Netherlands), Laurie, Toni and her husband Ray met up in this incredibly modern desert city. Dubai is sort of like Las Vegas without the razzmatazz. (In the photo above, Masuda and Corinne check out the silk at the Meena Bazaar in Dubai.)

In our planning, we were all so focused on Kabul, we really didn't give a thought to Dubai, and yet here we are in this wonderfully welcoming city. We will definitely spend more time here in the future. We're enjoying a day or two of luxury before we leave for Kabul on Sunday. Susan and Wendy arrive Saturday morning.

Posted by Hello

Comments:

It's great to know you have arrived safely and I hope you are enjoying Dubai. Looks like good shopping. Post lots of pictures, if you are able. It's wonderful to get a glimpse of what you are experiencing.
Love and Best Wishes,
Anne K

# posted by

Annie : June 4, 2004 at 9:48 PM

laur... here with henry and reading about day one. sounds fabulous! and the shopping...who would have thought!! miss you already. got your card...thanks! leaving for italy tonight and will be thinking of you on your incredible adventure. be safe and have fun. we are all so proud of what you guys are doing. love, marylin and henry

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2004 at 10:35 AM

To all, I absolutely love your journaling. Laurie, perhaps a book in this? So impressed by the adventure. Can't wait to hear about how the interviewing of the candidates go. Do tell as soon as. LOVE and STAY SAFE MEG

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2004 at 10:09 PM

Post a Comment

<< Home

: Name: Who is Bpeace?

Bpeace (Business Council for Peace) believes the path to peace is lined with jobs. We work with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to scale their businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women. More jobs mean less violence.®

View my complete profile

Links

Click Me and Donate Now!

www.bpeace.org

Afghan Team Overview

Join Us

Women for Afghan Women

Who is on this Bpeace mission?
Gwendy Feldman, international management consultant and former banker
Jim Reitzig, mergers and acquisitions professional
Kate Buggeln, board director and retail industry consultant
Laura Bradford, founder, owner and head designer of Claire V
Paula Lerner, award-winning professional photographer
Ray Maloney, former attorney, and full-time artist
Toni Maloney, marketing strategist, and Chair of Bpeace.

Who are the Afghan women Bpeace is working with?
There are 22 entrepreneurial Afghan women in Bpeace programs.
Seven are engaged in diversified businesses including freight forwarding, construction, media and HR services.
Fifteen are currently engaged in apparel and accessory production in Kabul, employing 12-200 women doing piece work in their homes and small workshops. They were selected by Bpeace members, who during a June 2004 mission to Kabul, assessed the candidatesâ business potential and craftsmanship, much of which reflects the long and rich Afghan tradition of hand-embroidery. As part of our Style Road Trip program, in May 2005 we will bring them to New York for three weeks of technical and business training that will include classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology, workshops with leading fashion designers and site visits to retailers and manufacturers along the entire American consumer spectrum. Upon completion, the women will return home to improve their products, grow their businesses and train others in what they have learned.
Bpeace provides distance mentoring, training and networking opportunities for these women and helps develop local and international markets for their products and services.
Women for Afghan Women is our partner in the Style Road Trip. Together we recevied a seed grant from the US State Departmentâs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

What is the purpose of this Bpeace mission to Kabul?
Training (including classes in product development, how to make a profit, and business communication)
Preparation of Associates for Style Road Trip to New York in May 2005
Business Development (research and analysis on what industries are likely to support significant job creation in Afghanistan)
Funding and Financing (meet potential donors for Bpeace projects, and lenders for the womenâs emerging businesses)

Who is paying for this Bpeace mission?
We are, out of our pockets. Bpeace members pay for their own travel on missions, thereby ensuring that donor funds raised go directly into programs for our women in the field.

Email Bpeace