The document summarizes the history and current status of Scouting in Afghanistan. It discusses four phases of Scouting in Afghanistan from its founding in 1931 to its dissolution under Soviet rule in 1978 and revival in 2003. It describes the current Afghan Scout Association which aims to qualify for membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. It provides details on the PARSA Afghan Scout Program, activities, training programs, and fundraising efforts to support the development of Scouting across Afghanistan.

1. Afghanistan Scout Association
‫ټولنه‬ ‫څارندوی‬ ‫افغانستان‬
Da Afğānistān Sarandoy Tolanah
(usually shortened to Sarandoy)

2. Keith@Blackey.net
Adviser, PARSA Afghan Scout Program

3. Background
Scouting’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell, served
with the 13th Hussars in Kandahar, Afghanistan
1881 – 82.

4. Phase 1
• 1931: Founded by King Mohammed
Nader Khan
• 1932 - 1947: WOSM member
– WOSM = World Organization of the Scout
Movement = Scouting’s governing and
certification body
• 38 million Scouts and Guides worldwide
• 181 NSOs
• 1947: Afghan government dissolved Scouting

5. Phase II
• 1956: Reestablished
• 1964 - 1978: WOSM Member
– 1977: 36,000 Scouts
• 1978: Soviets folded Scouts into Young
Pioneers
– Notorious for encouraging children to spy on
families, neighbors, and classmates
• 1978 – 2003: Warfare and political upheaval
decimated the program.

6. Phase III
• 2003: Da Afghanistan Sarandoy Tolanah
(Afghanistan Scout Association) formed
• 2008: Reorganization
– Administered by the Sports & Scouting branch of
Afghan Ministry of Education

7. Phase IV
• 2009: Restarted by PARSA (Physiotherapy and
Rehabilitation Support for Afghanistan)
– Boys Troop 001 at Tai Maskan Orphanage, Kabul
– Girls Troop 001 at Allahoddin Orphanage, Ka
• 2013:
– 1,500 Scouts
– Rigorous Scout Master training
– Goal: Qualify to be WOSM member

8. • Mission: Develop professional Afghan leaders
to cater for the neediest citizens of
Afghanistan
• Founded in Kabul in 1996
• During Taliban regime grassroots support
allowed PARSA to operate secret schools &
economic programs for women & sustain
programs under very difficult circumstances.

9. PARSA Scouts
• Programs:
– Cubs: Ages 8 – 12
– Scouts: 13 – 17
– Rovers: 18 – 25

10. Structure
• WOSM
– Asia-Pacific Region
• 24 Member Countries / 16 million Scouts & Scouters
• Headquarters in Philippines
• Actively supporting revival of Afghan Scouting since 2003
• Supported adult training since 2004, government relations,
document and policy approval, program promotion
• Ministry of Education
– Scout Department

11. Program
• Very similar to U.S. and Europe
• Highlights values such as trustworthiness,
loyalty and helpfulness.

12. Afghan Motto and Promise
• Motto: Be Prepared
– "Tayarosay" Pashto
– "Umade Bashi" Dari.

13. Afghan Scout Law
1. A Scout's honor is to be trusted
2. A Scout is loyal
3. A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others
4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other
Scout
5. A Scout is courteous
6. A Scout is a friend to animals
7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, patrol leaders or
Scoutmaster without question
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties
9. A Scout is thrifty
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

14. Activities

15. PARSA Scout Training Center
• Training Room (Seats 100)
• 4 Meeting (Breakout) Rooms
• Dining Hall
• Dormitory (Sleeps 50)

16. Training

17. Wood Badge

18. Community Service

19. Press - Print

20. Press - Video

21. • www.Facebook.com/
– PARSA-Discovering-the-Afghan-Spirit
– AfghanScouting
– SfAS4
– cevcr
– Tamim.Hamkar
– Jawad.Omari
– Keith.Blackey

23. Twitter

24. Funding Objectives
• Support the establishment of the development of Afghan
Scout troops through either local NGO’s or through the
Scout department at the Ministry of Education, in 15
provinces.
• Establish an Afghan based funding and volunteer program
to help communities cover the cost of uniforms, activities
and stipends for Scoutmasters.
• Continue training Scoutmasters and to support PARSA’s
existing troops in three provinces, and to expand into
Badakshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Mazaar-i-Sharif with new
troops
• Continue Program Development making the Afghan Scout
program relevant.

25. Bazaars

26. FUNraisers

27. Afghan Garden Kitchen

28. Internet Store

29. Grants

30. Funding Problems
• Major donors and aid organizations worry that weak
political will and graft could prevent funds reaching the
right people.
• Maintaining this support going forward will be difficult for
the EU if Afghanistan does not make progress in security,
rule of law and financial management
• Progress in human rights, particularly for women, and
holding credible presidential elections in 2014 are also
essential if Afghanistan wants money to keep flowing in
• Afghanistan remains one of the world's five poorest
countries
• Transparency International ranks Afghanistan as one of the
world's most corrupt nations.

31. Scouts for Afghan Scouts
• Adult scout leaders from international
• partners & contractors
• Camp Eggers Feb 2010. Camp Phoenix Sept
2013
• Supports revitalized Afghan Youth Scouts
– Assists in local scout activities and training
– Facilitates service projects
– Works with PARSA

32. Scouts for Afghan Scouts Contacts
Camp Eggers Camp Phoenix
COL Rick Roessler
Cell: 070-255-2979
Richard.B.Roessler@afghan.swa.army.mil
richard_roessler@att.net
SSG Dave Nicholson
Cell: 070-600-8599
david.r.nicholson@afghan.swa.army.mil
NICre@aol.com

33. Eagle & Gold Award Help
• Coordinate with Forward Deployed
Project Mentor to:
– Assist with ideas
– Facilitate communications
– Help carry out the U.S. Scout’s plan
– Attend event
– Take pictures that the U.S. Scout can use to provide a
final report/brief to their troop/local scouting council.
• Learn more at http://bit.ly/N2Qd8h

34. Keith’s Goals
• Create an organization that will be:
– Afghan Run
– Afghan Funded
– Sustainable both financially and structurally
– WOSM Member