blanket society

In class we have been working on learning about Millenium Development Goals, and problems developing countries are experiencing. I personally have been focusing on Afghanistan, because as you probably I am very active and vocal about my political beliefs, so looking at Afghanistan was very important to me. The effects of the Taliban, civil wars, and of course the current war have had an obvious and detrimental affect on the country. When I was doing research I found that the province of Badakhshan currently has the highest maternal death rate in the world. It is thought that 6,500 women die out of 100,000 live births. For the rest of the country the rate is around 1,600, which is high, but is low in comparison to Badakhshan. To give some perspective the rate is around 17/100,000 in the U.S. The effects of a rate this large are devistating. For each woman that dies there is a 75% chance that the child will die as well. The reasons are numerous, the war, and local militant groups are influencing the women's lifes, the men are leaving their families more frequently, drug use is increasing, along with food prices, the cost to live in Afghanistan is climbing.

I pinpointed the main problems I wanted to address; a need for education of new mothers, family planning, and a source of income.
My idea for a solution is what I am calling a "Shadow House".

Its a building that is directly connected to a clinic, or a hospital in the Badakhshan province. That would serve as a place were women could go to learn about traditional Afghan embroidery, by making blankets. The blankets would be sold in the U.S., and would come with an insert. So for each blanket purchased in the U.S. it would cover the cost of two blankets, and two inserts. One blanket would be flown to the U.S. and an insert printed in the U.S. would be placed inside, the insert would have a personal message on it that is determined by the buyer. The second blanket staying in Afghanistan has a standardized insert printed in the U.S. that describes the basics to delivering a child.

Some of the benefits of working in a Shadow House, is that they would be able to learn about childbirth and family planning. They would be able to work closing with the clinic, and get training in medical procedures. Also with the money being made selling blankets they would be able to recieve daily rations to help support their family. And after they complete a blanket they would be able to take it home and use it, pass it through the family, or give it to a neighbor. And because the insert is completely hidden it is up to the women as to how they use it.

Problem Statement In the Afghan province of Badakhshan it is estimated that 6,500/100,000 women die when giving birth. That would be the highest maternal death rate in the world. This is due to their poor location, the raise in food prices, lack of education, recent and current wars.

Mission Statement To provide a safe place women could go to learn about maternal health and family planning, without judgement or persecution. With a goal of creating a product, making a profit, and distributing the wealth appropriately, as well as to educate the Afghan women in Badakhshan and reduce maternal death.