Remembering Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan

Introduction For the last 12 years, Canada has been involved in a mission in Afghanistan. Many different countries from around the world worked together. Their goal was to help the Afghan people rebuild their country so that it would be more stable and safe, better governed, and never again a place where terrorists would be a threat.

Education Canada has tried to help in several ways. Education has been one of its priorities. Serious efforts have been made to provide an education to more children, especially to girls and young women who have been denied an education. In the last ten years, the number of children in school has increased from one million to seven million. And the number of girls in school has increased from 5% to 37%.

More teachers are being trained. Schools have been repaired and new ones built.

Health Care Afghanistan is one of the least developed countries in the world. It is a hard life for most people. 42% of the people are poor, and the average life expectancy is only 45 years of age.

Medical care for pregnant women is limited, and too many women and children die during childbirth. Many children become sick with a crippling disease called polio. Due to Canada’s efforts, health care in Afghanistan has improved. Canada has supported polio vaccination programs as well as nutrition programs for pregnant women and young children.

Training the Afghan National Army In order for Afghanistan to be safe and secure, effective laws must be established and enforced. The country needs a strong army and police force. Canada has provided training for the Afghan national army and police force and taught professional skills to their soldiers. In this way they can protect the human rights of the people, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from discrimination and fear.

Humanitarian Assistance During times of conflict and crisis, a country is not always able to help people in need. Another part of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan has been to provide food and other basic necessities for 8 million Afghans.

The Cost of This Mission During the last ten years, more than Canadians have taken part in the mission. The parents of some of our students in Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools have been involved in Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. 162 men and women were killed. Forty-six of them were either from Alberta or were stationed in Alberta when they were sent to Afghanistan. A journalist and a government diplomat are included in this number.

Captain Nichola Goddard The first female Canadian soldier to die in combat operations was Captain Nichola Goddard. Before moving to Nova Scotia, she attended a junior high school in Edmonton. She died at the age of 26. Captain Goddard’s father, a former school teacher, is now working in Afghanistan as part of Canada’s effort to improve teacher training. He is an example of the commitment and sacrifice that many Albertans have made to build a better future for the people in Afghanistan.

Mission Completed As of today, March 12, Canada has completed its 12-year mission in Afghanistan. The last of our troops will be withdrawing and returning home. This is a significant day for all Canadians. To commemorate the contributions that Canadians have made to this international effort, all Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools are taking some time today to remember and to honor all those involved and and what they accomplished for the good of the people.

Lowering the Flags Today we celebrate the end of the mission. This morning, all government buildings in Alberta, including all schools, have lowered their flags to half-mast. At noon, these flags will be raised to full height. This is our way of recognizing the sacrifices made by Canadians. It is also a way of expressing gratitude for their commitment.

O Canada Let us join our voices together in singing our national anthem.

Prayer And as we always do, as Christians, we turn to God with grateful hearts and ask for his help and blessing. Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross. All make the Sign of the Cross. Leader:Let us pray: Loving God, Giver of all that is good, we give thanks to You for all who dedicated time, offered their skills and services, and even sacrificed their lives for the sake of the people in Afghanistan. May the good that they achieved last for many years. … continued

Leader:We understand that all people on earth are part of one human family, regardless of our race or culture, our beliefs or way of thinking. Give us the courage to love one another and to live in solidarity as brothers and sisters. We ask these prayers through Christ our Lord. All:Amen.

Our Prayers of Petition Leader:The response to the following prayers is: Lord, hear our prayer. (All repeat.) Reader(s):For all those who contributed to the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, we pray … R. For the many people, on all sides of this conflict, who lost their lives. May they rest in peace. … R. For the families who mourn the loss of loved ones, of property, or of life as it once was. May they know the comfort of God and neighbor. We pray …R.

Reader(s):For ongoing peace in Afghanistan, we pray … All:Lord, hear our prayer. For the well-being of the Afghani people. May they continue to heal from the suffering of the past and grow in prosperity … R. For those who have returned from the mission in Afghanistan, who have witnessed the horrors of war and are struggling with the memories, we pray …R. For all of us, that we may always seek ways of being Christ for others, especially those in need both locally and globally… by offering help, promoting justice, and making peace, we pray …R.

The Prayer of St. Francis Leader:Let us pray: All:Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is error, truth; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. … continued

All:O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. All make the sign of the cross.

Video (Optional) The following videos are appropriate for Grades 6 and up. Please preview before using: Canada and the Afghanistan Legacy (16 minutes) Remembering Afghanistan (45 minutes)