Show Afghan Women You See Their Bravery, By Carmel Jud

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COMMUNITY NEWS Show Afghan Women You See Their Bravery

By Carmel Jud

Our nonprofit has been working with women in Afghanistan for many, many years. The nightmare there is starting to stretch our resources. If you’re looking for a way to support Afghan women, I hope you’ll consider donating to the fundraiser I’ve launched. See https:// www.gofundme.com/f/show-afghanwomen-that--you-see-their-bravery

I’m trying to raise $500,000, which is more than I’ve ever raised. If you have fundraising or marketing experience, and are interested in volunteering, that’s awesome. Volunteer inquiries go to: sue@risinginternational.org

I’m raising money for the brave women of Afghanistan, who are at risk of losing everything they fought for. Overnight, their world has been shattered.

Funds will go to the charity, Rising Worldwide (dba Rising International) that I started 19 years ago because of one extraordinary Afghan woman.

All of us at Rising are deeply concerned for the safety of Afghan women and girls. In fact, the future of Afghanistan depends on its women. In the words of former President Barack Obama, “Empowering women isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. When women succeed, nations are more safe, more secure, and more prosperous.”

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan more than 20 years ago, there was a radio broadcast announcing that women were essentially living under house arrest. One brave Afghan woman had a vision: Economic empowerment for women with no way forward. Nineteen years ago, she found a way forward, and we worked together to bring her vision to life in Afghanistan.

Now, I’m asking you to join us in protecting Afghan women.

Your support will help Rising to: • Deliver emergency relief to Afghan women in Rising’s programs, beginning with the evacuation of one of Rising’s artisans who survived torture by the Taliban. We’re currently working to help her and her children leave Kabul. Emergency funds will support their living expenses once they are out safely. • Provide crisis management for Afghan refugees in locations around the world, including Pakistan and the U.S. • Offer skills training for Afghan women in refugee camps to develop artisan goods that are sold by U.S. Rising survivor entrepreneurs. • Create income generation opportunities for Afghan refugees. The Afghan women in the accompanying photo are refugees. Their smiles and incredible resilience and determination remind us of the tenacity of the human spirit. Join us to help ensure the brighter life they now dream of for all Afghan women. Survivors of conflict need a way to earn money, no matter their location or circumstances. Today, over 25,000 survivors of extreme poverty, gender-based violence, homelessness, human trafficking, and war from more than 20 countries (including the U.S.) count on Rising to provide critical life saving support and use our global platform to sell their handcrafted goods. To the women of Afghanistan, please know that all this impact, and all these lives touched began with you. You changed and saved so many lives. We are here for you. We will not forget you. n ••• Carmel Jud of Felton is the founder of the nonprofit Rising International. Afghan women, survivors of conflict, need a way to earn money.