Staff
The Volunteer Staff of the Afghan School Project
Ehsan (Director of the Afghan-Canadian Community Center) is an educator in the Kandahar area with extensive experience in providing courses in information technology, business management and English as a second language to male and female students. Ehsan’s students have gone on to establish schools, work as translators and obtain jobs with international agencies. Previously, Ehsan managed several training programs for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. As a school administrator with more than fourteen years of experience, Ehsan is a respected member of the community, and has garnered significant support for the ACCC within the Afghan government and the people of Kandahar.
Ryan Aldred is the Director of the Afghan School Project, and serves part-time as a Sergeant in the Canadian Forces Army Reserve. As Director, Ryan is responsible for helping to provide the Afghan-Canadian Community Center with access to internationally-recognized post-secondary training, such as the courses offered to ACCC students by the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), funding from individuals and donor organizations. Ryan has volunteered with numerous charitable organizations, including programs offering gifted and special needs education.
Andrea (Chief Operations Officer) is a chemical engineer employed by the National Resources Canada in Ottawa. She has more than a decade of experience with charitable organizations, and has prepared technical reports on emerging low-cost technologies suitable for implementation in developing countries. Her responsibilities include project administration, strategic planning, and assisting with the development of the project’s communications strategy.
Rizwan (Chief Information Officer) is a computer engineer currently attending the Master’s of Business Administration program at the University of Toronto. He was previously employed at Hummingbird as a software engineer. He has also managed the computer infrastructure for several university organizations. His responsibilities include technical guidance and implementation, and he advises on business planning.
Andrew (Chief Communications Officer) is a Business Management consultant with IT/Net Inc. Ottawa and has extensive management experience with not-for-profit organizations. He is a skilled communicator, technical writer, and graphic designer. Andrew is responsible for planning the project’s strategic communications, branding, and assisting with overall strategic planning.
Shareif (Project Analyst) is a professional engineer and certified project management professional. He brings years of information technology expertise and corporate business acumen to the Afghan School Project. His past volunteer experience includes United Way committees at former employers and tutoring disadvantaged youth in math and computers. He currently serves as a Corporal with the Canadian Forces Army reserves.
Oliver is one of the leading Event Organizers of the Afghan School Project. He was a key organizer for the Project’s Silent Auction, which was held on September 22nd at Lago Bar and Grill in Ottawa. Having recently graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, he is currently taking a year off before entering into an LLB program at a to-be-determined Canadian University. Starting January 10th 2009, he will embark on a 6 month trip to Chile, where he will tour the country on motorcycle before teaching English in the capital, Santiago. He has a keen interest in the promotion of human rights and equal opportunities in developing nations.
If you’re interested in joining our team of volunteers, please contact us at staff@theafghanschool.org. We’re happy to work with you to determine a way in which you can volunteer that will make the best use of your skills and respect your current commitments.
The ACCC Honorary Board of Directors
Dr. Gulam Jelani Hamayoon is the Deputy Governor of Kandahar province. He has extensive experience in government and public affairs. Dr. Hamayoon has presided over seminars and meetings of numerous local, national and international organizations. Between 2003 and 2004, Dr. Hamayoon worked with Constitution Commission Secretariate as a regional coordinator and with Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) as a co-regional coordinator in southern region of Afghanistan. He is a respected official of the Afghan government with several years of working and public dealing experience. He has promised his full support to the activities of ACCC.
Ghulam Farooq Ferhamand (the Chief of Staff) is the Chief Administrator of the governor’s office of Kandahar. He has extensive experience in managing administration affairs within the government of Afghanistan. He is also a well-respected official of the Afghan government. Previously, he worked with national and international organizations helping impoverished Afghans both inside Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Hayatullah Rafiki is the Director of Education in Kandahar. He has wide experience in education development programs. He was the president of Kandahar University. He also managed democracy development projects in Kandahar area. Mr. Rafiki enjoys a great deal of respect among the communities of Kandahar.
Rona Tarin is the Women’s Affairs Director. She has a long history of support for women’s rights and has served women’s cause by teaching women in several schools in Kandahar city. She has attended numerous meetings and seminars on women’s development and associated challenges.
Abdul Majid Bobai is the Director of Information and Culture. He supports and promotes cultural activities in Kandahar. He has held and presided over several cultural meetings and seminars and has extensive experience with historical artifacts. Mr. Bobai is a respected member of the Kandahar community.
