Project Restore Hope : Supporting Durham's Afghan Scouts
Project Restore Hope : Supporting Durham's Afghan Scouts
Embedded Files
Supported by Saint Lawrence's Treasure
Imagine: You are a freshman in high school. Leader in the Afghan Scouts. Planning to go to medical school. In the span of two weeks, all that is gone and you are forced into hiding because the new Taliban government is targeting academically promising girls for forced marriage.
This is the real-life experience of many young women in Afghanistan today. Our girls eventually escaped Afghanistan – leaving behind their families, friends, and communities – to pursue their dreams of helping others. But building a new life is complicated and the scars of that experience run deep.
Meet the Girls
Fatima
Fatima
Fatima is 17 yrs old and hails from Ghazni province in Afghanistan who calls going to school her “biggest ambition in life.”
Fatima joined Scouts as a 2nd grader in 2014. By Grade 7, Fatima had already led a major book drive to build a library at her former rural elementary school. Fatima was a 9th grade student at Professor Rasul Amen High School when the Taliban took over in 2021. She was immediately prohibited from continuing her education, despite her exceptional academic performers (top of her school) and her incredible commitment to service to her community. Worse, she faced significant community pressure to marry immediately. Concerned for her future, Fatima escaped Afghanistan. Once in Pakistan, she was able to apply for admission to western schools and connect with a sponsor family.
Fatima wants to use this opportunity to complete her high school education and continue her education through medical school. Once complete, she intends to turn to Afghanistan (or as close as she can) to work as a Family Medicine physician, with a focus on pregnant women. But first, she hopes to be the first Afghan Eagle Scout!
Tabasum
Tabasum
Tabasum is a 17-yr old student, originally from Takhar, Afghanistan who plans to finish high school, attend college and medical school, and become a neurosurgeon.
Tabasum’s journey started when she joined the Afghan Scouting program in 2017 to serve society and help make a positive change in her community. Before the 2021 Taliban takeover, Tabasum attended Bibi Hajerh High School, where she excelled academically (top 1% nationally) and in extracurricular activities. Among other accomplishments, Tabasum was on the Afghan national children’s choir. Following the Taliban take over, Tabasum’s family moved Tabasum and her older sister out of Afghanistan. For 15 months, Tabasum applied to high schools in the USA and Europe, before receiving admission to the Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill.
Tabasum is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be here in the USA and excited to begin this journey. She’s place in the 10th grade, intends to learn guitar, and is relieved to be able to re-start her education.
The Costs
The Costs
Refugee-resettlement agencies generally estimate that unaccompanied minors require $45,000-$60,000 (per person) in services and direct support to complete high school and about $76,000 in services and direct support to complete a four-year college degree (not including tuition).
Our experience so far finds these estimates to be accurate. Based on our current spending and projected costs, we expect that the girls will need $115,000-$121,000 to support their high school education and college preparation. Major costs include (not all inclusive):
Other Ways to Help
In addition to direct financial support, we would benefit tremendously from the assistance of people with certain professional skills who could commit to assisting this project on an on-going basis. These needs include:
· Development professionals (to assist with fund raising)
· Marketing & graphic design (to create fund raising and engagement materials)
· ESL tutor (Durham-area, to work on improving the girls’ written and spoken English)
· Math tutor (Durham-area, to help the girls catch up in math)
· SAT tutor / prep services
· Primary Care Physician (willing to waive copays and coinsurance)
· Trauma-informed mental health counselor
If you are skilled in one of these areas and feel that you have the time to make a commitment of a few hours a week (or more) to assist, please contact Deacon Kevin Sullivan (deacon.kevin@uncnewman.org).
Special Thanks: Emerson Waldorf & Saint Lawrence's Treasure
Emerson Waldorf generously responded to an urgent plea for help with talent, love, and financial support. Emerson Waldorf not only agreed to admit Tabasum and Fatima, but they also provided full tuition scholarships for each girl and an incredibly warm and loving environment.
Saint Lawrence's Treasure (Deacon Dave Wulff) has agreed to provide fiduciary and administrative support for our fundraising efforts. SLT is a North Carolina tax-deductible charity that provides for the urgent needs of people across North Carolina. SLT provides Project Restore Hope donors with tax donation letters, serves as a custodian of funds, and ensure that all required IRS regulations are fully met.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse