Day 10 - Creating Hope International

There is a category of non profits that I've yet to cover, but we'll be seeing a lot more of- American based organizations that support international grass roots programs. They tend to be a great combination of local connections and passion, with American resources, and Creating Hope International is exactly that.

Creating Hope International finds grass roots programs that are making a difference and connects them with international donors. One of my favorite of their programs is the Afghan Institute of Learning. If you have 17 minutes I suggest you watch this TED talk by the incredible Sakena Yacoobi (and break out the tissues).

If you don't have the time, here's the story:

Growing up, Sakena dreamed of being a doctor. Her father fully supported her education, and she left to go to medical school in America. While she was away the Taliban took over. As soon as she finished her education she brought her family to America, so they would be safe. But she couldn't ignore what was happening in Afghanistan. She chose to go back, and what she found was heart breaking. She went to a camp in Pakistan, there she found 7.5 million refugees, 90 percent were women and children. Women with no where to go, boys trying to fill the holes their fathers had left. In that moment she knew it was education that had saved her, and that it was education that would help her people.

At that time starting a school was risky. Educating girls was forbidden. No one trusted her, she was an outsider from America. But she didn't take no for an answer.

In one year she had 25 schools supporting 15,000 refugee children. They taught women's rights, human rights, democracy, rule of law, reproductive health. Then nine Taliban showed up at her office. She told them they were teaching girls the Koran, teaching them to be good Muslim wives. They bought her lie and left her alone.

Despite repeated death threats she persists. They have numerous projects on Global Giving to help them build the skills of the Afghan people. They support thousands of students, children, adults, men and women. They are an example of exactly why grassroots programs are often the most effective. Operating in taliban help Afghanistan would have been impossible for foreigners, but Sakena Yacoobi continues her work and has reached over 1.1 million Afghans.

I'll leave you with a quote from the Afghan poet Mawlana Rumi, "by having compassion and having love you can conquer the world" and as Sakena Yacoobi says "if we could do it in Afghanistan, I am sure 100 percent that everyone can do it in any part of the world".

The Rundown
I gave $10
their website
click here to donate
Give Enabled!