A Canadian and a NATO public communications effort in northern Afstan

Good to see NATO doing such things (via Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs):

JOB IN AFGHANISTAN 'AN INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE'
Trenton native has one-year NATO contract as media team leader, photojournalism teacher

Like many people, Kim Stinson has relocated for a new job.

Unlike most people, she moved to Afghanistan.

The 41-year-old Trenton native left Canada March 6 for Camp Northern Lights in Mazare-Sharif in northern Afghanistan.

She's there on a minimum one-year contract as a media team leader and journalist. It's a civilian job with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's International Security Assistance Force.

Stinson calls the job an "incredible adventure."

She teaches photojournalism at Balkh University and serves as editor for NATO's Sada-e-Azadi (Voice of Freedom) newspaper, a publication intended for locals [2005 story here]. But Afghanistan's literacy rate is low, meaning the news is also broadcast on radio and television.

"Our responsibility is to look for the development news, success stories -- essentially the positives," Stinson said via Internet chat. "Part of the reason for this news is also to combat the rumour mill that fills the void of a communications infrastructure."

"I have always wanted to work in developing areas," she added.

She worked in Brunei in southeast Asia before eventually becoming a marketing manager for a Toronto publishing company.

But it was seeing Born into Brothels, a documentary about teaching children in India's red-light district, that helped spur her into a journalism career.

While enrolled in Loyalist College's photojournalism program last year Stinson befriended Farzana Wahidi, a classmate from Afghanistan.

The same year, students edited photos sent by graduate Gina Gillespie, who was then working in Farah, Afghanistan.

Photojournalism co-ordinator and former Intelligencer chief photographer Frank O'Connor suggested Stinson apply for the NATO job.

"Early on, her sincere interest in the place was evident," O'Connor said, calling Stinson a "student of the world."

While working on photos from Gillespie's Afghan students, he said, Stinson "went way beyond" expectations for the project.

"She really took it to another level and helped culminate the project and do the final edits on the project."

He said Stinson's skills, professionalism and maturity made her a good fit for the job.

Though he and his colleagues share a concern for Stinson's safety, O'Connor said they're "really proud of her" and she's "to be commended" for her initiative.

"Much of that mission is pointless unless you have people going out and telling people about it," said O'Connor.

Stinson works with one print and one radio journalist, both from Afghanistan.

The job isn't as dangerous as some Westerners might think, she said.

"I'm not embedded or on the front lines."

She said Mazar-e-Sharif is relatively stable, and she's sometimes able to travel outside the base without some of the precautions needed elsewhere [emphasis added--main city in the north, Germans are ISAF RC North lead].

Stinson has witnessed the sport of camel fighting, attended an Afghan wedding and said she's hoping to experience more of the land and culture.

TOP: Photojournalist Kim Stinson of Trenton says she’s been welcomed warmly after arriving in Afghanistan last month. Above, Stinson is seen in Mazar-e Sharif, north of Kabul. BELOW: The sport of camel-fighting is a traditional way to celebrate New Year (Nawroz) in Mazar-e Sharif, in northern Afghanistan. It's a popular event held only once a year that attracts crowd of male onlookers watching two camels tear one another apart before one is announced as the winner. Veterinarians are always nearby to keep an eye on the camels.

KIM STINSON / SPECIAL TO THE TRENTONIAN

Although one trip to the capital of Kabul made her nervous, Stinson said she's often guarded by a "very protective" military escort.

The language barriers and travel limitations can be isolating, but Stinson said she has generally felt welcome.

"You go through culture shock arriving in Kabul and then again when you get to your post," she said.

"Afghans are a warm, friendly and lovely people. I was welcomed with open arms even as a woman.

"Even at the camel fight where I was the only woman among about a 1,000 Afghan men, it was jokes and surprise -- not anger -- that I saw.

"Even if the men are not comfortable they have been very respectful."

Stinson has travelled around the immediate region and said she hopes to soon travel more extensively for the job. She teaches two days a week and spends four on the newspaper and radio work.

"The students are wonderful and enthusiastic," Stinson said. "In spite of a ton of obstacles, I really want to do this right for them."

There are no textbooks in the native Dari language or even English, few basic cameras available to her 75 students and limited student access to computers and the Internet. The United States embassy donated a projector, but it's tough to use in a room with no curtains.

There is no structured curriculum for the courses Stinson teaches, meaning she's been creating the program from scratch.

Stinson said she must keep her head, neck and hips covered in public but can otherwise wear western clothes. She's learning Dari and hears little English during the average day.

"I'm living with Swedish and Finnish soldiers [Sweden has the PRT at Mazar, including Finns--there are 290 Swedes and 110 Finns with ISAF] and working with Afghan journalists so basically I don't know what anyone is saying most of the time."

Stinson said she's been struck by the devastation war has caused in the country and hopes to make a difference through her work.

"I was driving down one of the main roads in Kabul and the rubble and skeletons of buildings were everywhere. It brought tears to my eyes -- still does."

She said she'll be spending some of her few days off working on some side projects on a variety of issues.

"I think I just want to do something to help. I want to learn and explore the country, culture and people."