Yesterday morning I reminded my staff to set a meeting with the Mayor, who has been unavailable since Eid. I was surprised when an hour later my Coordinator popped his head into my office to announce that the mayor was not only available, but that we had organized a ribbon cutting for one of our projects… oh, and the local media would be there!

Kalentar Ghafar (R) entertains the group in his home.

Minutes later, headscarf in tow, I headed out over the bone jarring roads to the project site. Our Community Mobilizer took the lead on his motorcycle. As we turned onto the road we were graveling the dirt, inches thick and powdery, sprayed up behind him in a dusty plume. With any rain this road becomes nearly impassable.

We arrived at the Kalentar Ghafar’s (Kalentar = local leader) home where the Mayor Unis, District Leader Wahed, my staff and the Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) media had gathered. We were offered tea and sweets and the men discussed the project, taking time to thank everyone present for whatever part they had played in getting the road graveled.

There was some lively debate about the thickness of gravel (7 cm) versus the amount of gravel that hand been ordered. The District Leader whipped out his cell phone, and some quick math later, all were smiles.

The ribbon cutting ceremony included:

• prayer
• speech by the Mayor
• speech by the District Leader
• presentation of the ceremonial coat
• a few words from me
• Mayoral interview with the local media
• ceremonial laying of the first few shovels of gravel by Mayor, Me, District Leader, and my Coordinator

RTA media team covers the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Ceremonial Coat Presentation

I was surprised by the presentation of the coats. Apparently it is Afghan tradition to present leaders with a coat when they do something substantial for the community. The District Leader’s aid draped the silk coat around the mayor’s shoulders and the crow applauded. He brought out the remaining coats, sill wrapped, to present to the rest of us.

He paused, and shot a look a the District Leader, before handing me the coat. Apparently, the ceremony hadn’t anticipated a woman. I asked my Coordinator about it and he said that they generally a chador (scarf) to women. I’ve got plenty of scarves, so I was happy to get the coat!

(L-R) Kalentar Ghafar and District Leader Wahed present Mayor Unis with the ceremonial coat as my Coordinator and I look on.

Mayor Unis and I dig into one of the many piles of gravel along the 2km stretch of road.