What led you to co-found Young
Afghan World Alliance?:
Afghanistan is a desperate country. Growing up with all
the opportunities the U.S. had to offer only made me more
conscious of that. I believed that I could find a way to have
a positive impact in Afghanistan and help the people there.
It was my trip there in August of 2001 that made me realize
I had to do something immediately.
We've been involved in the distribution of aid and building
a bridge of understanding between Afghans and Americans. Our
current main goal is to establish a school in Kandahar, the
former Taliban stronghold. We want to offer motivated children
an opportunity to have a world class education.
How did you feel as a woman and a relative of young Afghan
women when in Afghanistan?
My struggle for my own rights as a woman here in the U.S.
pales when compared to what women experience in that country.
It pained me greatly to see women who are so intelligent and
charming not have a shot at making anything of themselves.
So much talent is wasted.
What most impressed me was women's knowledge and skills,
even without a formal education. I found great respect and
even awe in the intellect and understanding of so many older,
wiser women. In some ways, I knew it put my United States
College Education to shame. Most of the women understood that
what was going on under the Taliban was not right, yet they
powerless. I believe that, given the right tools, Afghan women
represent one of the greatest resources in the country.
One of the best ways to distance ourselves from the Taliban
is to give women a voice.
What were the feelings of the Afghans you talked to toward
the American raids and American forces?
In Kandahar, I saw examples where the target house was hit,
and the ones next to it were left standing safely. When villagers
found out who we were, the approached the house in which we
were residing to find out from us how to gain aide after the
accidental destruction. A farmer who had lost two tractors
took my cell phone number. He said that in a couple of months
he would travel to the city to rent a satellite phone for
two minutes and call to see if I knew how he would get repaid.
He had put the remaining parts of the tractor aside as evidence.
They have such a high regard for the U.S. that they believe
in their hearts that the U.S. will repay for errors them and
help them to rebuild their lives.
See resources below for more information.
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