Orphanages:

As a result of the ongoing war in Afghanistan, many children have lost their parents. In 2002, therefore, Shuhada opened several orphanages. Shuhada has three orphanages in Bamyan province – which serve a total of 172 children. In the district of Jaghori, Shuhada has an orphanage that serves 59 children.
Each orphanage is facilitated with sports equipment, a playground, and a kindergarten. At the age of 7, children are enrolled in Shuhada’s primary schools.
Shuhada hires a tutor for each orphanage, to assist students in their studies. Shuhada also provides English and computer classes for children in secondary school. Women who have no other source of income serve as “house mothers.”

• Staff:
  
  
  • Head Supervisor
  
  
  • House Mothers
  
  
  • Tutors
  
  
  • Chef
  
  
  • Guards
  
  
  • Shopkeeper
  
  
  • Extra-Curricular Programs:
    
    
    • poetry writing, drama, art
    
    
    • computer courses
    
    
    • English language courses
    
    
    • participation in local radio programs
    
    
    
    

Orphanage Related Donors for 2007 (January - December)

Women’s Shelters:

In Afghanistan, violence and discrimination against women is widespread. Many girls are forced into marriage at a young age, and those who refuse marriage are sometimes beaten. Women are forced to veil themselves, are often unable to go to school, and are sometimes prevented from spending any of their earned income. This degree of violence has led to many cases of self-immolation and suicide. As a response to this, Shuhada established a women’s shelter in Kabul. A portion of these women are Iranian deportees who were imprisoned in Herat – and, with the assistance of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and UNHCR, released and sent to Shuhada’s shelter. Along with basic necessities, Shuhada also provides these women with literacy courses and computer courses.

Samar Orphanage a story of hope in Afghanistan

During one of my media workshops in province of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, I met a 17 years- old sharp female teenager. I asked her, “What is your name?” She replied, “Parvin, Parvin Samar.” The moment I heard the name Samar, something triggered immediately in my mind from my reporting days in Washington. Samar, Sima Samar, the brilliant Afghan lady who accompanied Afghan President Karzai as minister of women affairs to Afghanistan and she was mentioned by former President Bush during his State of the Union Address. Yes that is her. I interviewed her. I asked Parvin, I know your mother. I interviewed her. There was immediately a sparkle in her eyes, a sparkle of hope. I asked, “Where do you live?” “Can I see your mom?” She said her mom lives in Kabul and she lives in an orphanage that is run by her mother in Bamiyan. It sounded a little strange that she would live apart from her mother. I got the address for the orphanage and told her I like to visit. Parvin asked me if I could visit their English class that starts early in the morning at 7:00 o’clock.