Question 1

Aschiana

Accepted Answer

The problem: In Afghanistan, malnutrition is a common problem, especially among children in returnee camps and street-working children.  Our solution: We provided over 40,000 meal packs each month and supported street-working children by reintegrating them into the formal school system and offering vocational training. Our partners: We worked with various Ashiana centers and emergency shelters for IDPs.

Question 2

Roshan Clinic

Accepted Answer

Through Roshan Community’s inaugural project, fees for expatriate patients were used to subsidize costs for Afghan nationals. Paving the way for other companies, Roshan was the first company in Afghanistan to provide its employees with private medical insurance. The Roshan Clinic also hosted a variety of health and dental workshops over the past decade to support an improved quality of life and care for Afghans. Our partners: Ashiana, Afghanistan Demain, and AFRANE. Dental and health workshops: Topics, including education on clean water, diarrhea, and tuberculosis, were developed by MSH/REACH/USAID. Afghan Medical Health Insurance: Lifecare International.

Question 3

Telemedicine

Accepted Answer

The telemedicine project connects hospitals with Roshan’s broadband technology to facilitate the rapid delivery of medical solutions. Through video conferencing, specialists can diagnose and treat illnesses in rural areas of Afghanistan and provide training sessions for the new generation of Afghan doctors. The goal of this service is to provide remote tele-radiology, e-learning, hospital management, nursing education, and specialized clinics. This technology enables specialists to diagnose illnesses, provide proper treatments, offer medical education to doctors while they work, and give access to health services for patients in villages. Additionally, this technology reduces the cost of travel for patients, employees, and health workers. Currently, a network of medical centers in Kabul, Bamiyan, and Badakhshan is connected to each other as well as to the Agha Khan University Hospital in Karachi. Our partners: Government of Afghanistan, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi, Aga Khan Health Services, the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) in Kabul, FMIC, CISCO, Bamyan Hospital, Faizabad Hospital, Cisco Systems, and other telecom suppliers. Water Wells  The problem: Lack of clean and safe drinking water in Afghanistan.    Our solution: We started with the creation of 2 water wells in 2006, which currently support 1,000 families living on the outskirts of Kabul. To date, we have built 70 wells that provide clean water to over 100,000 people. Roshan’s Innovative Technology Feature (Health): Watertracker The problem: Lack of clean and safe water in Afghanistan. Our solution: Using an interactive voice recording (IVR) solution, we created the Watertracker phone service, which allowed illiterate Afghans to call in from rural areas and check the status of their local well or report a fault. Between 2010 and 2011, 1,000 well communities were trained in using Watertracker. As a result of the service, nearly 30 wells were restored.

Question 4

4چاه های آب

Accepted Answer

Playgrounds The problem: Afghanistan, a country that had been suffering from war and social problems for decades, had a limited social space where it could support the community and provide a platform for children’s development. Our solution: Recognizing the importance of play in the growth of self-confidence and social skills in children, Roshan created playgrounds in strategic areas, which were also used as venues for the gathering of different ethnicities in Afghanistan. These playgrounds eliminated social barriers and provided a safe environment for children to play and grow together. School Construction The problem: When we first started operations in Afghanistan, we visited a school with seven dilapidated blocks and one purpose-built block. Many of the 7,000 students were studying in shifts in tents. Our solution: Roshan Community had invested in the construction of a large modernization project that included 24 classrooms and a playground. Since then, we have invested in many other schools. Our partners: AKF, etc. OLPC The problem: Afghan children were deprived of the resources and tools they needed to compete in the global economy. Our solution: OLCP was designed to improve the level of learning by presenting two-way versions of curriculum content and providing guidance and suggestions to schoolchildren. More than 3,600 children and teachers benefited from this project in the provinces of Baghlan, Herat, Kabul, Jalalabad, and Kandahar. Our partners: OLPC, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), and USAID’s Afghanistan Small-and-Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED).

Question 5

E-learning centers

Accepted Answer

The problem: Afghans were deprived of the resources and tools they needed to compete in a technology-based global economy. Our solution: Roshan Community used containers equipped with durable solar panels to create online learning centers that had laptops and other communication equipment. These centers were set up locally and managed by the people who were given this equipment to meet the needs of local areas. Users of these centers were able to access technology, engage in trade, and communicate with their family and friends from afar. Roshan/Cisco Systems:  The problem: Afghans lacked the tools and resources to compete in a tech-driven global economy. Our solution: In 2007, Roshan teamed up with partners to support an initiative aimed at preparing students for networking and IT-related careers in the public and private sectors. By providing higher education tools in engineering, computer science, and other related fields, the initiative supported the education of 600 Afghan students across the country. Our partners: UNDP and Cisco System Roshan’s Innovative Technology Feature (Education): Teacher Consultation Line In collaboration with partners, Roshan Community developed a distance mobile-learning model, which allowed greater access to quality secondary education for Afghan boys and girls. The educational content fell within the framework of the Ministry of Education's vision. Our partners: Saba media TV, CHA, Butterfly-Oxfam Novib and Ministry of Education.

Question 6

Commerce and Women

Accepted Answer

Alternative Livelihoods Program The problem: Due to decades of conflict, women were vulnerable, especially in rural areas, where opportunities to generate income were limited. Our solution: In 2009, Roshan Community began supporting CARE’s Humanitarian Assistance for Women of Afghanistan (HAWA) project. The project provided livestock to vulnerable women, enabling them to earn a living. Our partners: CARE  WPCOs The problem: Due to decades of conflict, women were vulnerable and had limited opportunities to generate an income.    Our solution: Roshan launched a telephone booth project for women, through which women will be provided with the opportunity to start a business. Through this project, the Afghan AID will nominate women to the first microfinance lending bank in Afghanistan (FMFB-A) so that women can get loans and start a business. For each WPCO operator, a discount package will be provided. This package will include a mobile phone, SIM card, antenna, charger, 12500 contact units and an official Roshan PCO signboard. The WPCO operator will use a portion of the profit to pay back her microfinance loan and to buy more units of airtime. Each time an operator from the project purchases more airtime, she receives an additional 60% credit. This added discount is to ensure profitability, and maximize the earning potential of the women. Although the operation of a WPCO does not in itself defeat poverty, it provides a stable and sustainable source of income, which enables women to climb steadily out of poverty and provide better living conditions for their families. Our partners: AfghanAid & USAID.

Question 7

Recognition

Accepted Answer

Roshan Community is the program that has won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award. Roshan Community works in partnership with the Afghan government, NGOs, and other institutions to enhance its impact while benefiting from the specific skills of each of these sectors.  Recognitions received include Social Contribution Award, Asia Communications Awards, July 2014 Most Innovative Company of the Year in the Middle East and Africa, CSR Program of the Year in the Middle East and Africa, and Customer Service Department of the Year, Stevie International Business Awards, November 2013 Sustainability Commercialized, Ethical Corporation's Responsible Business Awards, August 2013 CSR Program of the Year in the Middle East and Africa, Stevie Awards, October 2012 Best Community Development Project, Telecom World Asia, April 2011 Best Corporate Social Responsibility Contribution, Telecom World Awards Middle East, November 2008

Question 8

Partnerships

Accepted Answer

A large part of our activities would not be possible without long-term partnerships. We will continue to work with our longstanding and new colleagues to implement projects in Afghanistan. Through our company, we will persist in providing welfare assistance to those in need.  By collaborating with other institutions, we can enhance our impact in terms of both quality and capabilities.At Roshan, we believe that contributions can take many forms and no help is considered unimportant. With this perspective, we have created the Roshan Brings Roshani (RBR) scheme. The RBR allows Roshan’s staff and partners to donate their skills, equipment, training, and other resources to the social programs we support.  Please contact socialprograms@roshan.af if you are interested in partnering with Roshan Community or making a contribution to support our projects.

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