The Afghanistan Blind Women and Children Foundation In

THE AFGHANISTAN BLIND WOMEN AND CHILDREN FOUNDATION OCTOBER 2016, ISSUE 5

WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER

Greetings from Nooria Nodrat!

Greetings from the founder and Execu- Unfortunately, the activities of terror- tive Director of the Afghanistan Blind ists don’t end in Afghanistan the act Women and Children Foundation also affects the United States of Ameri- (ABWC) - Mrs. Nooria Nodrat. ca as well. The foundation is very sorry for the incidence that occurred this The Afghanistan Blind Women and past Summer in New York, New Jer- Children Foundation works tirelessly sey, and Florida. Bear in mind that to improve the quality of education hatred will never win because the for blind children and assists blind power of love will overcome to de- women with their healthcare. Despite stroy the people who have no sympa- the work that the ABWC foundation is thy for humankind. We are hoping constantly trying to continue, four that with the support of our allies, we generations of war in Afghanistan will overcome terrorist acts and bring brings many obstacles and difficulties a peaceful community to our nation. for our work. One of the incidents However, life must go on and we will that recently occurred in Afghanistan continue our efforts to this very unfor- was the vicious act of terrorist bomb- tunate population in Afghanistan who ing in Kabul Blind high school. The IN THIS ISSUE have been experiencing hardships and school was severely damaged in the loss for the past 40 years. attack. Over 40 windows were broken, the ceiling destroyed, 4 school On August 23, 2016 the ABWC foun- Pg.1-2:President’s buses broke down and are now dys- dation had its 6th annual fundraising Statement functional, and the bowling alley that event to celebrate our 7 years of es- Pg.3:Chairperson’s Letter the foundation was financially sup- tablishment. At this event, we had the and biography porting to renew has been completely privilege of having our guest of honor, Pg.4:In the News and destroyed. Sadly, we have been in- Ambassador Mahmoud Saikal, the per- updates formed that a young security guard manent representative of Afghanistan Pg.5-8: Comparing the lost his life due to this attack, the to the United Nations. The event was lives of blind individuals ABWC foundation expresses its deep- very successful thanks to our great do- in Afghanistan to blind est condolences to the family of this nors and supporters. With the great individuals in America young brave officer who lost his life to contribution of the participants at our Pg.9 : Sponsorship protect the safety of the school. event (cont. page 2)

1 Greetings from Nooria Nodrat! (Cont.) the foundation was able to raise over 3000$ on that you wish to help us in the future whether financially or day. 2000$ was from 1 anonymous donor who wishes with volunteer work please reach us through our web- to send educational material for 5th-9th grade students site www.abwcfoundaiton.org or contact us via email and 1000$ for repairing of the Kabul Blind High at [email protected]. Let's hope for School. The ABWC greatly appreciates her contribu- peace for of all humankind. tions and we definitely will take action to send the Truly yours money to Afghanistan for repair of the classrooms. We also received 4 Perkins braille writer and 2500 sheet of Nooria braille paper from Ms. Joyce Carrico the ABWC foundation will send the supplies to 5th - 9th graders at Ka- bul Blind High School. We are grateful for the support of Ms. Carrico and wish her many prosperity in her life and may god be with her always. In addition, we need to send 4 of these 6 slate and stylus for these students that has been requested by the school principal.

I'm delighted to inform you that the ABWC is in the process of extending our mission to become an international nonprofit organization who can support over 400,000 individual in Afghanistan. We are in communications with our legal attorney that will assist us in the new mission and the new organization which will be Afghanistan International Founda- tion for the Blind (AIFB) we are hoping with this new mission and vision we will receive more support inter- nationally around the world and be able to collaborate with other nonprofit organizations to support blind individuals in Afghanistan. Furthermore, we are hoping to reopen the case of the three blind women that were supposed to come to us for cornea operation, unfortunately, the case was rejected by the American embassy in Afghanistan in 2011. These 3 women were victims of war and poverty in Afghanistan. With the great support of Achilles international and other nonprofit organizations that support people with disabilities to participate in running, jogging, walking, and other social activities around the world. Achilles was sponsoring these three individuals to come to the US for cornea operation. With direct support of the Ear and Eye hospital and we are hoping with the support for United Nations representative as well as the Afghani- stan embassy in D.C. we will open the case and bring these three women to the US and restore their vision. As usual the Afghanistan blind women and children foundation is always and forever grateful for all our supporters. Without our supporters, the foundation wouldn't be able to continue its goal which is to support blind children and blind women in Afghanistan. Once again thank you for being our supporter and if

2 Statement from the Chairperson, Veronica Strong

First, I would like to say I am honored to have been chosen as Chairperson for this organization. The Afghanistan Blind Women and Children’s Foundation focuses on a neglected part of the community that re- ally needs help and resources. With this organization, these women and children have received medical treatments, school funding and supplies and much more. With your help and donations, we hope to continue the great work the organization has already done since it started in 2009.

Veronica Strong’s Bio

Veronica Strong graduated Magna Cum Laude from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2008 with a B.A. and M.A. in Fo- rensic Psychology and has published research for the FBI. Veroni- ca currently works as an analyst at Accenture. Veronica is extremely involved in volunteer work; she has received awards from the New York City Department of Probation and Bailey House for her extensive volunteer work as a mental health and grievance counselor and as an advocate for survivors of violence and sexual assaults. Veronica has been volunteering with the ABWC Foundation since 2014 and became a board member in 2015. She became the new Chairperson by nomination on Sep- tember of 2016. The ABWC congratulates her on her new posi- tion and wishes Veronica luck.

3 Afghanistan In the News

On August 24, 2016 there was an attack on American University in Kabul, Kabul Blind High school became collateral damage. Luckily, the attack was at night and all of the children were dismissed, unfortunately a young security guard at the school lost his life while guarding the blind school. In addition 4 school buses were broken down, there are broken windows, glass- es, and the ceiling has been damage.

Updates from the ABWC

The board of directors had a very produc- tive meeting with the UN representative to Afghanistan, Ambassador Mahmoud Saikal, to discuss the best ways to reach out to the international Afghan community and ways to help the vulnerable blind population of Afghanistan.

Ambassador Mahmoud Saikal (center). With ABWC Board of Directors.

4 Comparing the lives of Blind Individuals in Afghanistan to Blind Individuals in America

Audrey Schading and Shaheem cubator. This was a common oc- blind children to schools due to Hessam are on opposite sides of currence in the 1940s and 50s and fear of ridicule by other children the world yet they both have led to thousands of premature ba- or fear of their child being hurt much in common. They are both bies to become blind ("Facts About outside. teachers who are Retinopathy of Prema- very involved with “Afghans have to face turity (ROP)” ). Sha- Mobility is a big issue that affects blind advocacy. daily threats outside heen was born sighted the blind community. In New Shaheen works as from the Taliban and and developed Glau- York, Audrey gets by perfectly an English and com- Daesh (also known as coma at 12 when he with her seeing eye dog, and is puter teacher at Ka- ISIS). “ suddenly found him- able to take the subway and go bul Blind School, he self sick. Glaucoma is anywhere a sighted person would. is also the head of the second leading In Kabul there are no sidewalks or the Blind Association of Afghani- cause of blindness globally. Both paved roads and it very difficult stan. Audrey is a teacher at the of their parents were naturally for blind individuals to get Lighthouse Guild, she has done worried and were very supportive around. Most members of the vis- advocacy work with Mobility USA of their children. Audrey’s family ually impaired community usually which led her to travel to different connected with parents of other remain home or travel with a countries such as Bahrain and Ja- blind children, done countless per- companion. Blind individuals in pan to reach out about disability sonal research on blindness, and Afghanistan have significant less and to educate children as well as sent her to a blind preschool. Sha- independence for that rea- adults on issues of employment heen’s parents traveled from their son. However, there are bigger and education. village in Gorbach, to Kabul the problems, Afghans have to face nation’s capital, to seek treatment daily threats outside from the Tali- Shaheen and Audrey have both from doctors. They also wanted ban and Daesh (also known as overcome adversity and discrimi- an education for him, Shaheen’s ISIS). Safety remains the biggest nation and succeeded in fulfilling parents enrolled him at Kabul issues in the daily lives of Afghans, their dreams, they actually lead Blind School, the school that he Shaheen rarely travels in Kabul for very similar life paths. However, teaches at today. this reason. do to their contrasting surround- ings - they have found themselves Shaheen is incredibly fortunate to in startlingly different circumstanc- have a family that supports his es from one another. The United education. Afghan families often States and Afghanistan handle ac- times do not know how to help cessibility, education, and blind individuals. Often times healthcare for the blind in dispar- blind children are left at home aging ways. These factors not only with no stimulation and no affect Audrey and Shaheen’s lives awareness of the world around but as teachers and advocates it them. In an interview with Inde- has the potential to affect the lives pendent Living Institute, one blind of their students as well. Afghan man reported that he went years without interacting Growing up, both teachers had with any body during his child- very supportive parents, Audrey’s hood because his family did not blindness is caused by Retinopathy know how to deal with his blind- Audrey Schading, instructor at the of Prematurity, which happens ness (Miles). There are mix feelings Lighthouse Guild, with her guide dog. when premature babies are ex- of shame and over-protectiveness. posed to excess oxygen in the in- Parents often don’t send their

5 (CONT.)

fullest. Shaheen’s students never thing she was unable to do was had those opportunities, and partake in certain after school ac- therefore may never realize their tivities, like sports, due to the fact full potential. that the school was unequipped at the time for her needs. However Shaheen’s blind education during she was able to enjoy her child- primary and secondary school hood and earn a full education. was made possible by the com- munist regime which supported Contrastly, blind people in the blind education as well as the United States can pretty much take International Assistance Mission any classes a sighted person can (IAM), a charity organization in due to the help of assistive technol- Afghanistan that gave him spe- ogies and companies that manufac- cialized books, tape recorders, ture those technology, things like Shaheen Hessam, computer teacher at equipment, and transportation eBooks, Screen readers and braille Kabul Blind School, on the campus. funds. His education was also textbooks, are easily accessible and made possible because his parents available for students. In Afghani- Still despite security concerns, he moved from their village in Gor- stan there are no E-books, and remains very dedicated and contin- bach to the nation’s capital in Ka- barely any braille books available. ues to teach at the blind school bul, which is where the majority of Students would have to get their everyday. His favorite methods of the resources such as schools and textbooks read and recorded to teachings includes working with hospitals are located. At the Uni- them, which is not only an incon- braille and computers. He feels versity level, classes for blind stu- venience but a limit to their poten- that technology is a great tool for dents are limited. At the University tial. blind education. Unfortunately, of Kabul, Shaheen’s alma mater. they do not have access to modern They cannot take medicine, phys- blind assistive technology in Af- ics, engineering, art, or science. “Families usually ghanistan, and many of the newer They can only take law, literature, are ashamed to teachers are not trained in meth- and journalism. This is due to phys- have blind in ods of teaching blind students and ical limitations, lack of equipment their family. Soci- to use new technolo- for blindness, and lack of under- ety is not ready gy. Meanwhile in America, tech- standing from the department and to have a good nology is making a big impact professors. relationship with in blind education. Audrey favors them...society is At school Audrey was able to have the iPhone, which has made her not ready to an experience that was as normal teaching more effective and effi- help”. cient. The Board of Education and as possible, she was in a special dedicated parents are pushing for class in a regular school and main- things to be the best they can for streamed in high school, which blind students with resources such means she integrated from a spe- as computers, aids, and paraprofes- cialized educational setting to a sional. These aids were able to regular educational setting. She had help Audrey’s blind students learn the opportunity to be around oth- more effectively and helped them er blind children as well as interact get their experience learning to the with sighted children. The only

6 (CONT.)

People in America are generally access depends on your family’s blind problems. There is a dis- very accepting and try to be ac- wealth and privilege. There is no crimination problem, blind peo- commodating to people with equal opportunity for health and ple are treated different- disabilities, Audrey admits that no help from the govern- ly...excluded” Shaheen feels. Both although there were instances of ment. In the United States medi- Audrey and Shaheen feel passion- children teasing in school and cal care is significantly better. ate about changing the attitude people feeling sorry for her, Audrey personally has never had about blindness in their country. overall she had a very positive a problem with the health care Audrey feels especially strong social experience growing up. system in the United States and is about fighting and demanding Her teachers were extremely sup- impressed with the advances change. “In America, we have to portive in school, as were those made in eye health and technolo- work hard for things to work for in her Sunday school class, stu- gy. us.” She feels. Audrey’s lawsuit dents there would learn how to with the school was successful guide her around school. In Af- and the results may have had im- ghanistan, according to Shaheen, This is not to say that the United pacts on future discrimination people are not so accepting of States is perfect for people with cases. By speaking out against disability. Shaheen is one of the disabilities, in terms of accessibil- injustice, Audrey’s case may have more fortunate blind individuals ity, sidewalks still do not have helped in changing the govern- in Afghanistan. His family was accessible traffic signal for deaf/ ment's attitude towards blind- very supportive and helpful but blind individuals, and physical ness. many families aren’t. “Families paperwork (for medical and tax) Audrey and Shaheem are both usually are ashamed to have still poses as an inconvenience for ambitious, smart, and capable blind in their family. Society is blind individuals. There are also individuals with a passion for not ready to have a good rela- bigger issues such as workplace helping others and making a tionship with them...society is discrimination. Earlier in her ca- change in the blind community. not ready to help”. reer Audrey successfully sued a Because of the supportive atti- school for discrimination in their This is non caring attitude is espe- tudes of her peers and family as hiring practices. And there are cially prevalent in terms of well as the resources available to still high unemployment rates in healthcare, Afghanistan has one her as an American, Audrey was the blind community currently. of the highest blind rates in the able to accomplish great things “It is not equal opportunity” world. Glaucoma, the disease for herself, and is able to spread Audrey believes. In Afghanistan that Shaheen has is preventable her wisdom and knowledge to job prospects are worse, as peo- with regular eye exam and doc- help other blind individuals and ple are not willing to give blind tor’s visit. Many Afghans do not influence their lives for the bet- individuals a shot. Even with have the money for regular doc- ter. While Shaheen is doing the education, blind graduates from tors visits and if they did there best he can with what he has, Kabul University were not given are very few hospitals in Afghani- one cannot help but wonder, a chance to work at the govern- stan. There are no hospitals in what other amazing things he ment agency. rural areas, and very few in Ka- could have accomplished, and bul, Shaheen’s parents had to “Government should have inclu- how many other student’s lives send him to Kabul for his treat- sive education for the blind peo- he could have possibly affected ments. Afghanistan health care ple, they should pay attention to had he the resources Audrey has.

7 (CONT.)

Citations

"Facts About Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)” National Eye Institute. June 2014, https://nei.nih.gov/health/rop/rop. Accessed 30 September 2016.

Miles, M. "The Blind Afghan Child." Independent Living Institute, www.independentliving.org/docs3/milesm1988a.html. Accessed 30 September 2016.

8 Afghanistan Blind Women and Children Foundation and TD Bank

Dear Supporters of the Afghanistan Blind Women and Children Foundation (ABWC): TD Bank and The ABWC Foundation are delighted to inform you about the mutually beneficial charity collaboration between the two organizations. Based on information given by TD Bank, The ABWC Foundation qualifies to receive financial support as a 501(C) (3). TD Bank will give $50 for every new business or personal checking account created during the current calendar year, and $10 for every existing checking account. You can also get $25 for opening a new non- interest bearing checking account. In addition, TD Bank will donate 1/10 of 1% to our foundation based upon the average annual savings deposit balances of all participants. Eligible accounts also include money marker, certificate of deposit, as well as retirement. This funding won’t cost anything to the TD bank customer. The greater the number of TD Bank account holders who participate, the greater the benefit to The ABWC Foundation. If you wish to support the ABWC Foundation please inform your TD Bank branch’s customer service about your existing account or if you want to open a new account and let them know that you want to support The ABWC Foundation. They will be able to include your name in the list for The ABWC charitable funding. Just bear in mind that you are not paying anything to the ABWC Foundation or to TD Bank. You’re just opening your new account (or you already have an existing account) with TD Bank and informing the bank that you would like to support The ABWC Foundation.

For more information about this project please review the attached document, visit their website www.tdbank.com or speak with Live Customer Service 24/7 at 888-751-9000. Thank you for your support in advance. Also please reach out to the ABWC foundation if you have any questions or concern.

Office: 718-784-4541 Cell:917-391-8614 [email protected]

Amazon Smiles

Afghanistan Blind Women and Children Foundation (ABWC) is part of amazon smile. Please shop through https://smile.amazon.com/, and select the Afghanistan Blind Women and Children Foundation as your charity of choice, and a proceed of the cost will go to your favorite charity at no cost to you at all! Shop away!

9 ABWC FOUNDATION

40-10 12th St. Apt 1C Long Island City, NY 11101 Phone: 718-784-4541 E-mail: [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR READING!