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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 19, 2012 · 8 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF `Education is light, may it never be extinguished' with up to 900 male and female students attending classes there each year. That said, the school remains in need of basic furniture and supplies. "Four out of our 12 classrooms now have desks so the kids don't have to sit on the floor anymore," said Oakville resident Bev LeFrancois of CSAW. "One of the things this fundraiser is going to do is, we are hoping to buy desks for the rest of the classrooms. It makes a real difference in Canadians in Support of Afghan Women (CSAW) is calling on residents to assist Afghan students in receiving much-needed education. In 2008, local residents donated approximately $30,000 toward construction of a 12-room school in a village near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Today, that elementary school is thriving The Regional Municipality of Halton Access Halton at: www.halton.ca Dial 311 equipped for learning: Canadians in Support of Afghan Women (CSAW) has SUBMITTED PHOTO NOTICE OF ROAD CLOSURE Elmwood Road, Prince Charles Drive, and St. Augustine Drive for Wastewater Main Replacement Town of Oakville S ER RD furnished four of 12 classrooms in a school it built in Afghanistan. A Nov. 1 fundraiser with Mellissa Fung will raise more money to furnish the other classrooms. winter to get the children off the floor because they have very cold winters over there." The fundraiser, which is being held in partnership with St. John's Power of One Ministry, is Thursday, Nov. 1, at St. John's United Church, 262 Randall St. Mellissa Fung, CBC journalist and author, will speak about her work in Afghanistan, her thoughts on education for girls and her kidnapping ordeal. In 2008, Fung survived 28 days in captivity after being abducted by armed men while on assignment in Afghanistan. Doors open for the event at 7 p.m., with Fung's presentation beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 through 905-271-0698 or info@canadianssupportafghanwomen.ca. LeFrancois said the village is too poor to furnish the school. "These are Afghans who have come back to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, so they have nothing," said LeFrancois. "Having a school is very important and it has become their whole community." LeFrancois said the school features a library, used by students and the community. Before the school was built, classes were held inside a sweltering tent that routinely filled with dust whenever a heavy wind would blow. Famia Haidary, who was born in Afghanistan, but immigrated to Canada years ago, said education is important, particularly for girls. ST. AUGUSTINE DR SP CHA D E RLES DR PRIN CE ELMWOO RD LD MAURICE DR STEWART ST Road Closure Detour Route This closure will be in effect from October 22, 2012 to December 21, 2012. Access for local residents will be maintained at all times with some occasional lane restrictions. Contract Number: Project Manager: S-2818-12 Mark Bajor, C.E.T. 905-825-6000 x 7617 Join us to voice our concerns against a proposed Provincial highway Join me on October 23 at Mainway Recreation Centre in Burlington at 7 p.m. to learn more about the Province's proposal for a new provincial highway. Regional Council unanimously opposes the proposed highway that would destroy our Escarpment and rural quality of life and we want to ensure our voices are heard at the Provincial government. I look forward to seeing you on October 23 as we stand united in an effort to protect our valuable rural resources and ensure that Halton remains a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. For more information, dial 311 or visit www.halton.ca/ngta. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule "It brings light to their lives," she said. "When they have no education, they are not allowed to talk. They can't even sit with their family when someone from outside comes to visit." Haidary said by learning to read, women can improve their health and that of their family by reading the instructions to medicine they receive so they know how much to take or how much to give their children. Education also makes young women aware of the rights they have in Afghanistan and gives them the chance to do more and be more. While the school has been well-received by the bulk of the local community, the fact that it teaches girls has drawn anger from the Taliban, which has made threats against the school, teachers and students. Despite the possible dangers, the students and teachers continue to attend their classes. Each day, they pass through the school's main door above which is written in Arabic, `Education is the light. May it never be extinguished.' "(The students) love the school," said Haidary. "These kids work all day and then when it is school time, they grab their bags and they run to school. It seems that they know the school will give them something. Their stomachs are empty, but they go there." A RV R KERR ST DO Sale of land Gary Carr Regional Chair The Town of Oakville is pleased to offer 2317 Yolanda Drive for sale. This is a fully serviced lot to the lot line, backing on to Queen Elizabeth Park Cultural and Community Centre. This property is being offered without an asking price. Legal property description: 2317 Yolanda Drive, Oakville, Parts 21 and 34, Ref plan 20R16612, zoned R03 residential Official Plan, low density residential. For more information please contact: Maynard Millman, manager of Realty Services at 905-845-6601 ext. 3022 or mmillman@oakville.ca The Town of Oakville reserves the right to reject at its sole discretion any or all offers and to withdraw this offering at any time. Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca Bronte Rd Bridge Rd Oct. 23 7:00 p.m. Mainway Recreation Centre, Burlington - Public meeting to discuss proposed new provincial highway through Burlington www.halton.ca/ngta Oct. 24 9:30 a.m. Regional Council 191012 Yo lan da Subject Land Dr Rebecca St Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. Third Line