Menu
Projects
Current Projects
Life & Cope Series
Fairfax, VA
The Life and Cope Program is the first initiative in our community to work on our self-growth, self-esteem, mental and emotional wellbeing and learning about professional techniques to deal with our life challenges. This is like laying the seeds for a stronger and healthier community in future. Our team believes that bringing awareness to our community regarding critical challenges and relevant issues can breed resolution and unity.
The first talk series took place in October 2015, on the topic of “migration” and its impact on immigrant families (Report by Voice of America). Since then, Dr. Homaira Wali Behsudi, Dr. Nahid Aziz and Dr. Syed Amiry have presented informative and participatory sessions on a variety of topics (All free of cost professional sessions so far)
Life and Cope program stands for the following:
- L-OVE
- I-NITIATE
- F-ORGIVE
- E-MPOWER
- C-OMPASSION
- O-PTIMISM
- P-OWER
- E-MPATHY
War Trauma
Life & Cope Virtual Presentation
Resettlement Services to Refugees and Newcomer Families (USA)
Virginia, USA
This program is focused on newly arrived Afghan families who are desperately in need of emotional support from the community, helpful guidance, and referral services. A strong team of volunteers have been networking to lead and manage this effort through which many families received some relief and assistance when they needed it the most! Above all they got the message that we exist in the area, care for their well-being and welcome them to their new lives.
AAWA within its capacity has welcomed newcomer families to the Afghan community in the area and has offered some basic support by finding volunteers to arrange for home visits, and help with family’s needs related to school issues, housing application, translation, cultural interpretations, parenting, budgeting, job search, health and nutrition. A-AWA was approached by mainstream community organizations (more since 2016) to help with a wave of new Afghan refugees. A-AWA is especially working with the women in these families trying to support their smooth adaptation and settlement. Back in September 2014, in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA), a new support group was formed for newcomer families that ran until mid-2015, AAWA’s Women and Seniors Circle run from 2012 to 2015. Currently, A-AWA actively supported the refugee resettlement programs at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington (CCDA), Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC), and the LDS Church and Charities. AAWA offers services based upon requests received. These services depend on volunteer’s availability.
A-AWA's Emergency Response Fund
Virginia, USA
A-AWA has no formal funding, but through generous contributions by members and supporters, a number of vulnerable families have received financial assistance. The beneficiaries have varied from terminally sick parents, new refugee kids with special needs, sick individuals with no family and domestic violence victims to selected grass root projects back in Afghanistan. This service is offered on first come basis and totally depends on availability of donated funds.
Networking and Outreach
A-AWA constantly receives requests from various community organizations and groups to help in promoting their programs and activities through AAWA’s large electronic network to spread the word e.g. Sham-e-Orphan, AAMPA, Afghan Academy, Mustafa Center, etc. A-AWA looks for solid partnerships and has formed dynamic collaborations with mainstream and local organizations.
Rabia Daughters and A-AWA Pilot Project
During the holy month of Ramadan this year, A-AWA did a pilot project with “Daughters of Rabia”, a group of selfless individuals who are either former students or teachers at the “Rabia -e- Balkhi” High School, a prominent girls school in Kabul, Afghanistan (Please see Dari report below for more details). They want to not only keep their school name alive, but also look for ways to help the current students and employees of their school. This group has around 700 members and operates through a Facebook page administered by Ms. Najia Aziz Arsalyee based in Virginia, who approached A-AWA and is now an active A-AWA member.
A-AWA facilitated the collection and transfer of the donations made by some generous members of this group (Total of $3600) that was distributed immediately to more than 45 most eligible families in Kabul, Afghanistan (videos available on A-AWA’s FB page). Special thanks to A-AWA’s Board member, Ms. Palwasha Hassan and also Ms. Shinkai Karokhail who made this possible by their support through Afghan Women Network (AWN), in Kabul and also Ms. Anisa Yar, the representative of “Daughter of Rabia” who personally distributed the donations and arranged videos/reports.
A-AWA is grateful for this partnership and continues to work with Ms. Najia Aziz Arsalyee who was instrumental to make this effort such a big success in a very short time with full accountability and transparency. A-AWA and “Daughters of Rabia” group have agreed to continue partnership in order to expand their efforts to help more needy families in the future; however small, as it’s said “Little drops makes the mighty ocean”.
Youth Group
Who is A-AWA GAK (Global Afghan Kids): We are a group composed of kids working together to do good to benefit the Afghan community. A-AWA GAK aims towards kids our age and finding out more on where and how to help. We look to grow our community and assist others in taking action. The group was established in March 2020. The founding members are: Ms. Eman Ali, Ms. Shaheera Kamin, Ms. Sabrina Wali, Mr. Lemar Pazhwak, and Mr. Zaki Wali.
Mission Statement: The AAWA Youth Group’s mission is to bring forth like-minded youth individuals looking to provide a platform for AAWA to further expand their social media presence, their youth-centered opportunities, and their horizons in an effort to sustain a foundation of preserving Afghan culture and heritage. An extent, AAWA’s Youth group looks to engage the younger generation with AAWA’s mission and vision. Through this, one day, the younger generation can fulfill the legacy of AAWA’s impact on Afghan American lives in their own unique manner.
Youth Group Projects
Pen Pal Project
The Pen Pal Project is a way for today’s youth living in the U.S. to meet and connect with Afghanistan’s youth. It provides an opportunity for the youth to get to know one another and even become friends. It is an excellent way for those who participate in looking through life from their pal’s perspective. Every person is partnered up with someone from another country. They then send one another a letter each month and continue getting to know each other. It is a great learning opportunity for those who partake in it.
Fundraising Efforts
A-AWA GAK assists A-AWA in their fundraising drives. We spread the word out to those looking to make a difference in their community. We make sure that people understand the importance of their contribution and its significance. A-AWA GAK aspires to support as many in poverty as possible.
Social Media Project
A-AWA GAK is assisting in running A-AWA’s Instagram and Twitter. Today’s generation relies on information found online. Social media is the most effective way to aware people of the work that A-AWA does. With social media many people are able to help support A-AWA with their fundraisers and projects. It is the most efficient way to show how much we care and support everyone.
Future Projects
Civic Engagement Services
Washington D.C. Area
Civic Engagement Services such as: civic participation education , voter registration education and drives, community advocacy and engagement education.
This service has been under review as A-AWA is trying to strengthen its role in the larger community by raising the Afghan community’s voice by helping them be more participatory in social and political activities.
Past Projects
Winter Coat Drive
(USA)
Kabul, Afghanistan
Microfinance
(Afghanistan, 2012-2014)
Afghanistan
Women Support Groups and Senior Circle
(2010 - 2015)
Virginia, USA
Language and Cultural Awareness Classes
(2012 - 2015)
Virginia, USA
Volunteer Teachers
- Nooria Faryar: Director/Dari instructor
- Naeem Ayoubzada: Cultural Arts
- Rahila Roshna: Dari to adult non-native speakers
- Najiba Malikyar: Sewing and knitting
- Robina Seddiq: Pashto
- Ghazal Hassan: Dari
- Akbar Nowroz: Dari material
- Friba Alizai: Dari
- Nazifa Sawez: Dari
- Oran Wahab: Dari
- Hastana Rasouly: Dari
- Fouzia Afshari: English for adults
- Hazrt & Safia Jahed: English for adults
Make a Difference
Volunteering in your community gives you a chance to give back. You’ll feel a sense of pride that you are volunteering your time and will in return cultivate a more dynamic, integrative community helping Afghan families become productive members of their community.
You can help make a difference! Make a donation to A-AWA today. Your donation can provide valuable resources to Life and Cope Program and A-AWA’s Emergency Response Fund set for most vulnerable Afghan families.
Join us! With the trusted support of our members, we can continue to create a culture where our community would flourish and cultivate resources and connections for new refugee families.