With illiteracy rates in Afghanistan among the highest in the world, it was a pleasure to accept this invitation sent by Relief International (RI).
The evening started at UCLA Fowler Museum.
The space was inviting and warm.
The music was memorable.
The event attracted a mix of over a hundred interesting people, mostly from Pakistan, Iran and India. Two UCLA students told me that their fathers who are physicians at UCLA became involved with RI at the time of the earthquake in Pakistan. They wanted to help victims, and RI facilitated that. An American couple there told me they learned about this event through the Internet. They came because they care, and because they feel bad about America's international policies. She said "I want the world to know that Americans are peace loving people".
This was followed by a VIP screening of "The Kite Runner" based on the acclaimed novel by Khaled Hosseini at UCLA's James Bridges Theatre. It is a powerful movie that portrays the friendship between two boys in a divided Afghanistan at the verge of war. Most people I spoke to at the screening reception after the movie had read the book and thought it was a good adoption.
I first met Farshad Rastegar, the CEO -- seen here with his wife -- about six years ago. He had a clear vision of what he wanted the RI to achieve.
Not only he is responsible for the organization's vision and direction, but he also gets involved in the ground work in local communities.
Libraries in Afghanistan is one of the many projects RI have embarked upon. Here, in addition to establishing 350 fully-furnished libraries throughout Afghanistan, it is training teachers and connecting students worldwide though Internet Learning Centers. The Program has distributed more than 100,000 books and reached more than 600,000 children, giving them a chance at a brighter future.
To learn more about Relief International please click here.
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RI has worked with local communities to improve literacy and education in Afghanistan. "
