Join Me...

Recently, I left Afghanistan and returned to the States where we are blessed and fortunate enough to have never truly struggled with education or healthcare needs. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for a majority of the women in Afghanistan.

When I return to Wisconsin, my mother has asked me to take part with her in a live television event – where I will give up something of mine – my hair. For the sixth time I will be donating my hair to Locks of Love.

Therefore, I am asking for your support, as I support the Linda Norgrove Foundation, a new grant giving trust which provides funding for women, families and children in Afghanistan. The Foundation offers help with regard to education and health, childcare including orphanages, and scholarships so that Afghan women can go to University.

I know these things may seem unrelated, but oddly, to me they are not. The quote "To those whom much is given, much is expected," explains it all. As I leave Kabul, help me leave something behind. As always, thank you for all of your support.

Please go to http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/AnnaElizabeth to see my fundraising page and sponsor me online.

For all of those who contribute to the cause, I will share the video of the show - which is sure to be a treat if you know my mother, and if you know my fear of cameras.  :)

Thanks so much for all of your support, always!  

Again, please go to http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/AnnaElizabeth to support the cause. 

Kabul Sweet Kabul

A few months back, I was in DC visiting some of the most amazing friends in the world. Celebrating the goodness of life and friendship, we were dancing up a storm; but, needing a break from it all, I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.  “Hey, how are you?” a kind sir asked.  And in DC, we all know that the second question, before even asking your name, is “and, what do you do?”.   He looked nice enough, so I explained that I was an international development professional working in Kabul.  “Woah!”, he nearly spit his drink on me.  After the kind sir caught his breath (no, we still didn’t know each others names), he asked “so, is Kabul home then?”.  I paused, smiled and responded. “Yes, Kabul is home for me right now”.  As I spoke those words, I slide back into the world I know so well in the war torn country.

Of all of the places I have lived, Kabul has been the hardest place to for me to call home.  I say that, probably not for the reasons you are thinking, but rather in spite of those issues.  The security restrictions create a barrier between the world in which I live and the real Afghanistan.  There is a beautiful culture that I see glimpses of, there are mountains I can see from my window and veiled women whose story I will never know.  There is so much left to see, so much left to do; yet, the restrictions remain. 

There is a window.  In my office, there is a window.  If you crack the window slightly in the morning, you can hear the laughter of children.  If you open the blinds in the afternoon, you will see women walking hand in hand through the park.  If you get up early enough, you will see guards patrolling the sidewalks.  If you look closely, you will see families taking pictures amongst the beautiful rose bushes.  And if you watch long enough, and if you believe, you too, will see that this window, this window in my office, it is a window to the future of Afghanistan. 

Through the window, I do get a glimpse of Afghanistan, but I know it is only a snapshot in time of what is happening.  And, of course, my window paints a picture only the blessed are fortunate enough to see.  For all of these reasons and more, Afghanistan will always be a place I call home. 

!Dilo Fuerte!

Greetings from sunny Leon, Mexico.   Mexico is known for many things, the next of which, I hope is a UN Declaration for Youth.

A few days ago, I arrived in Mexico to both volunteer and participate in the UN World Youth Conference.  An event of this nature focusing solely on Youth issues, has not been held in over 10 years.  An event of this caliber focusing on Youth has never been held.  In the next week, thousands of leaders from all over the world will gather to discuss the Youth agenda,

In the next week, I have the opportunity to be a part of something much larger than me.  Something that could potentially change the way Youth are perceived.  I have the chance to be a part of history.

!Dilo Fuerte! Say it Loud!

Updates to come....