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Event
Afghan Girls Education Benefit
Dear Friends,
My name is Amalia Mourad Korczowski and I am a senior at Berkeley High School. Berkeley has provided me with remarkable teachers, a great atmosphere, and the opportunity to challenge myself. All of this has allowed me to take on any goal I aspire to. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that "everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free...higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit." In many countries around the world this right is unfulfilled. And in some places, it is even against the law for women to receive an education.
Having privileges like we do here also means having responsibilities. As I have grown up I have not seen the changes I want to see in society, locally or internationally. And so I want to help make some changes myself. In Afghanistan before 1992, "50% of the students and 60% of the teachers at Kabul University were women. In addition, 70% of school teachers, 50% of civilian government workers, and 40% of doctors in Kabul were women." However, when the Taliban took control after Soviet invasion women lost almost all of their rights, one of them being the right to an education. Today in Afghanistan, even if a school is near enough for a woman to attend, they are too often threatened or victimized by violence. There have been many cases of school bombings, harassment, and individual attacks against girls that go to school.
Over these past few months of my senior year, students at BHS formed a school club that is working to raise money for women's education in Afghanistan. The group has been very successful. A large group meets once a week. We have held two bake sales, which have raised over $600.00. And a front-page article about our work was published in the school newspaper The Jacket. Along with many of my peers, I am helping to organize a student-run benefit to raise money for children in Afghanistan. All donations will be given to the Central Asia Institute, a non-profit organization started in 1996 by Greg Mortenson, the author of Three Cups of Tea. "Central Asia Institute's mission is to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The philosophy is to empower the local people through their own initiative."
My peers and I extend our invitation to you and your friends and family to a benefit we have been working on for months, which will include student musicians, art auctioning, and catering. The event will take place at Berkeley High School (in the cafeteria) on Milvia St.(and Alston) on April 24th. To make this as successful as possible we need the help of the community. Please R.S.V.P. through email, to amaliamourad@gmail.com. We know that many of you run busy lives and won't be able to attend, but there is still a way you can be a huge support for this cause. You may send a check (to the Central Asia Institute) or a cash donation, addressed to Amalia Korczowski, 900 Contra Costa Ave, Berkeley CA, 94707. A contribution of any size will help make a difference in young women's lives.
If you would like more information on the Central Asia Institute you can visit http://www.gregmortenson.com/how-to-help/central-asia-institute/. To learn more about how you can help or volunteer you can contact me at amaliamourad@gmail.com or at (510)334-6955. Thank you so much for your time and effort, it is now when women and girls need our support the most.
Sincerely,
Amalia Korczowski and the members of the Afghan Girls Fundraiser Club
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LocationBerkeley High School
1980 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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