F. Brinley Bruton
F. Brinley Bruton is a freelance journalist. In 2004 and 2005 she trained journalists at Pajhwok Afghan News, the country's largest independent news service. Since then she has written about Afghanistan, Iran and Yemen and focused on economics, security and humanitarian issues.
'Cash sent home is more effective than aid'
By F. Brinley Bruton
Here's a number that will knock your mittens off. I just found out that recorded remittances, or the flow money earned abroad and sent home to the developing world, hit around $204 billion last year. That's billion with a "b", and more than double what it was in 2001. Admittedly, the number was affected by a tightening of banking rules after September 11, 2001 and the falling value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. Still, it's mighty big. ... Full article
By F. Brinley Bruton
Here's a number that will knock your mittens off. I just found out that recorded remittances, or the flow money earned abroad and sent home to the developing world, hit around $204 billion last year. That's billion with a "b", and more than double what it was in 2001. Admittedly, the number was affected by a tightening of banking rules after September 11, 2001 and the falling value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. Still, it's mighty big. ... Full article
Diaspora do-gooders help African businesses
By F. Brinley Bruton
Sorry, I can't think of a better way to say it: "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime." A British-based charity has taken this tired truism and refreshed it. AFFORD, the African Foundation for Development, is galvanizing business-savvy members of the large African diaspora to travel to war-torn Sierra Leone and advise small business owners. And we are talking small - pharmacists, beauticians and market stall owners are among the participants. ... Full article
By F. Brinley Bruton
Sorry, I can't think of a better way to say it: "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime." A British-based charity has taken this tired truism and refreshed it. AFFORD, the African Foundation for Development, is galvanizing business-savvy members of the large African diaspora to travel to war-torn Sierra Leone and advise small business owners. And we are talking small - pharmacists, beauticians and market stall owners are among the participants. ... Full article
How to stop Afghanistan's women dying in childbirth
By F. Brinley Bruton
Five women were in the throes of labour at the delivery ward of Rabia Balki Women's Hospital in Kabul. From one corner a woman cried, "Allaiii! Allaiii! Allaiii!" but the rest were quiet. A couple gazed distractedly in my direction.
Not only were all but one silent, they were also completely alone - no sister or mother held their hands and wiped their faces. Even the midwives and nurses weren't touching them.
... Full article
By F. Brinley Bruton
Five women were in the throes of labour at the delivery ward of Rabia Balki Women's Hospital in Kabul. From one corner a woman cried, "Allaiii! Allaiii! Allaiii!" but the rest were quiet. A couple gazed distractedly in my direction.
Not only were all but one silent, they were also completely alone - no sister or mother held their hands and wiped their faces. Even the midwives and nurses weren't touching them.
... Full article
Afghan dispatch: Guns, boots and aid packages
By F. Brinley Bruton
The sub-governor of Dari-noor in eastern Afghanistan looked surprised to see us. Us being a big truck packed with blankets and winter coats escorted by four Humvees complete with gunners sticking out the top.
He should have been surprised the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) I was traveling with didn't tell anyone it was visiting. Many PRTs - military teams that try to coordinate much of the reconstruction and governance work in most of Afghanistan's 34 provinces - rarely announce their visits beforehand.
... Full article
By F. Brinley Bruton
The sub-governor of Dari-noor in eastern Afghanistan looked surprised to see us. Us being a big truck packed with blankets and winter coats escorted by four Humvees complete with gunners sticking out the top.
He should have been surprised the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) I was traveling with didn't tell anyone it was visiting. Many PRTs - military teams that try to coordinate much of the reconstruction and governance work in most of Afghanistan's 34 provinces - rarely announce their visits beforehand.
... Full article
Battered Afghan women suffer in silence
By F. Brinley Bruton
Perfunctorily I asked how her day had been. "All day I spent crying."
Seems Yasmine (not her real name), a friend of a friend, had been beaten again by her brother - something he's done pretty constantly for the last couple of years. Seems he's spouting all sorts of chauvinistic stuff like she shouldn't be leaving the house or getting an education.
... Full article
Next entries
By F. Brinley Bruton
Perfunctorily I asked how her day had been. "All day I spent crying."
Seems Yasmine (not her real name), a friend of a friend, had been beaten again by her brother - something he's done pretty constantly for the last couple of years. Seems he's spouting all sorts of chauvinistic stuff like she shouldn't be leaving the house or getting an education.
... Full article
