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Bonita Chamberlin has spent more than 30 years, under 5 regimes: the monarchy/pre-Soviet invasion, the Soviet occupation, the civil war, the Taliban and now the Coalition Forces, working in Afghanistan. From 1976 to 1980, she interfaced with the Afghan government and multinational corporations, especially SunMaid and Lummus to facilitate business and economic development. Chamberlin designed and executed profit and income-generating projects primarily through natural resource development and agriculture.
In the mid-1980s Bonita was asked to return by the Mujahideen, especially Ahmad Shah Massood, to assist them in mining the gemstones being uncovered by the Soviet bombs. From 1983 until 1997 she crossed the Hindu Kush Mountains with the Mujahideen who were carrying arms and needed supplies, dressed as an Afghan man to avoid Soviet detection. Under primitive conditions, she assisted the local tribesmen of Panjsher, Badakhshan, Nuristan, and Sorobi in the proper mining, marketing, and sale of the gems and minerals.
As a result of this extensive work, Bonita has walked the country, mapping it, thereby being a resource for the Department of Defense after 9/11. Her research was published in the 1995 book she co-authored, titled, Gemstones of Afghanistan, regarded as the original and most complete study of Afghanistan’s gems and minerals.
She has worked with all the tribes and religious groups at one time or another, which was especially problematic during the civil war when there was tribal infighting. Trying to communicate in a country of over 47 languages and a 5% literacy rate presented additional challenges.
In 2002, Chamberlin purchased tools and mining equipment for villagers in Nuristan. The mining and the jewelry making have become industries upon which the villagers can build and sustain a vastly improved way of life. Through the sale of the jewelry, she sponsors schools, teacher training, healthcare, an orphanage, and reforestation and irrigation programs.
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Telephone Bonita at: Institute for Continuing Education 619 504-4924
8176 Center Street, Suite A, La Mesa, CA 91942
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