Letter from Fahima vorgetts, afghanistan, continued

Zenda jan shora is doing extremely well. Most of the women in this shora are self sufficient now; they have completed our literacy classes, learned to bake cakes and cookies, make jam and tomato paste and different kinds of pickled vegetables, as well as sewing, tailoring, and silk making. We bought beautiful silk scarves they made, and I am hoping to find markets for them here in the states.

There are four women’s shoras in Zenda jan district. We have helped the Qala Naw shora with supplies and equipment for baking, cooking, catering, and canning. I have personally written them some recipes for some goods (I used to have three restaurants and taught them how to make different foods).

We have provided supplies and equipment for the Gozara women’s shora and given five groups micro loans to start their own business. One group has already sold more than $80 worth of crafts to us.

In Injeel we have formed one more women’s shora to add to the two that we formed in spring. In addition, we provided them with teachers, trainers, supplies, fabrics and equipment. One of the shora was doing so well in Injeel that after the first graduating group (50 women) they have formed another class. They are already making money after four months in the vocational program. They asked me for more sewing machines and more equipment. I have given them fabric and supplies to make crafts to sell in the holiday market. I also helped them start cafeteria in the schools that we built last year.

The Khwahari girls’ school that we built last year has computer classes and they were able to write a welcome sign for me. I also provided them with printers.

A few of the girls had some health problems that they couldn’t take care of for years because of financial difficulty - three with cleft lips, one with no teeth, and a few with minor health problems. My dear friend Bill Brill helped generously to pay for the treatment. We hired a surgeon who helped them. You can see before and after pictures of those girls on our website.

In Karokh the literacy classes are doing very well and we were asked to help with a women’s shora, so we did and the women learn crafts now.

We are still supporting the Herat hospital Burn Ward, the women’s section. We are paying salaries for the doctors, nurses, and cleaners.

Overall, it was a good and successful trip. Women’s shoras give responsibility to the women and minimizes my work a little. The shoras give them self-confidence and dignity, as well as a social life, as they gather in one place, talk, chat, gossip, and do something positive while learning from each other.

As you all know, that I have committed my life to this cause - your support will keep me going and we will work together to change the lives of those who do not much. Thank you for your ongoing support. Thank you for being part of this team. Without you, I would not be able to do my work, and without your support, hundreds of women would have not known there is a better life and better future. Your tax deductible donation will continue to support our work in Afghanistan.

Thank you,

Fahima Vorgetts
Afghan Women’s Fund
Women for Afghan Women
978 Yachtsman Way
Annapolis MD 21403
www.womenforafghanwomen.org

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