OBI provided $15,000 to the Women of Hope, a nonprofit that instructs women on how to develop a good business plan and improve their embroidery skills.

KABUL, Afghanistan – For Salema, hope for a future is no longer restricted by a burka.

As a woman, she has struggled against the cultural norms that have denied her jobs, being able to go out in public and getting an education.  

"There are probably many stories under the burka – silent cries that can't be heard or talked about," said Kumar Periasamy, director of international disaster relief for Operation Blessing.

Today, however, the mother of six now has a means to support herself and her family; something almost unheard of in Afghanistan.

"It seems as though much has changed in Kabul but at the same time it seems the need is even greater," Periasamy said. "Modernization is beyond the Afghan mindset. One can try to bring democracy into Afghanistan but few can change its culture."

For Salema, living under the Taliban regime meant her creativity was stifled and she was forbidden to even be out in public. Today, with the help of Operation Blessing, she is part of a thriving business doing embroidery work with about 1,000 other women.

"I used to have to go from store to store and ask for any jobs available," she said. "The owners would give me the necessary materials to get the work done and once it was finished I was paid."

However, it was never quite enough to support her family.

The OBI-funded center is helping about 1,000 women, the majority of them widows and single mothers who are the sole breadwinners for their families.

OBI provided $15,000 to the Women of Hope, a nonprofit that instructs women on how to develop a good business plan and improve their embroidery skills. The funds will go toward expanding the center as well as offering literacy and business courses to the women.

Already, the center is helping about 1,000 women, the majority of them widows and single mothers who are the sole breadwinners for their families.

Periasamy said it is estimated that there are more than 3 million widows in Afghanistan, and more than 70,000 children who have to work to supplement their family's income.

Salema, who never learned to read or write because it was forbidden to offer education to a female, pulled out some of her embroidery work and showed it off.

"My income now is much better. I have enough to support my family," she said. "Without your help the other women and I could not survive."

In addition, OBI also helped a local village, which had been devastated by the war, lost a majority of the farm animals and had fallen victim to droughts. OBI built a temporary school so that more than 100 children would have a place to learn.

"I want to be a doctor," said Mohammed, who plans on attending the school. Two of his brothers chimed in and said they also desired to be a doctor to help the people in their villages.

The community leader was thankful and replied, "even I will join the classes and will learn to read and write."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

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