Small donation... big help!

In late September, goods colected in Lisbon arrived in Jalalabad. Their final destiny was Shawl Pacha School and its clinic, both facilities run by Hope of Mother.

This initiative became possible thanks to the generosity of a few people and institutions:

• AMI and a some individuals, who donated goods, from textbooks to furniture and medical supplies.

• The Portuguese military, who ensured its transport to Afghanistan.

• Hope of Mother, that, on the ground, took the goods from Kabul to Jalalabad.

On my own behalf, I thank in particular Mr. António Calisto, the owner of kiosk "Bragantina", in Anjos area (Lisbon), who donated English books, and also Sandra Antas, tireless in collecting goods and sensitizing other donors. Your generosity is priceless!

Margarida Mota

Photos: HOM

"Friendly Gift" benefits Afghan project

Five euros, for any of us, is a symbolic amount. In Afghanistan, five euros is a substantial amount that can make a difference.

For five euros only, you can acquire this "Friendly Gift" (Prenda AMIga) and help, directly, Hope of Mother's school and clinic in Jalalabad, one of six projects benefited by this initiative of AMI.

How can you do it?

1 - Choose the project you want to support.

2 - Transfer a minimum of 5€ to the following bank account:
BES Account No.: 015/45875/008 | SWIFT Code: 0007 0015 00458750008 36

3 - Send by e-mail the proof of payment to prenda.amiga@ami.org.pt, stating:
• Your data (full name or full name of the company (trade name), address and nr. Tax Identification for issuance of receipt of donation).
• For individuals: Message in the chosen Project (up to 120 characters).
• For companies: Message in the chosen Project (up to 120 characters) and logo you want to put on postcard (logo up to 300€).

The personalized e-card will be sent by AMI within 24 hours (weekdays) until 23/12/2011.

Note: This post was originaly written on december 16th 2011 in the Portuguese version of Mina's Dream. This campaign took place during Christmas time 2011.

"A dream in a land of nightmares"

"In eastern part of Afghanistan, Shawl Pacha School seemed to be a project doomed from birth." But it did not happened. Not only the school has suceeded, but also turned into a model in this poor country. This story is told in "AMI Notícias" bulletin, of the third quarter of 2011. The article discusses the project managed by Hope of Mother and also education in Afghanistan in general.

Entitled "Afghanistan: where going to school is a dream", the article describes a visit to Mina Wali's school and explains how this project is like an "oasis" in a country (yet) so harsh to education (especially of women). "In many parts of Afghanistan, going to school is not a right, but an aspiration", one can read.

Article:
Afeganistão: onde ir à escola é um sonho, AMI Blog

Afeganistão: onde ir à escola é um sonho, AMI Notícias, 3rd quarter 2011 (distributed free with "Visão" magazine, November 17th, 2011) (appendix)


Appendix:

 

My visit to AMI's "little school"

In April 2011, I traveled to Afghanistan on work for "Expresso". Happily, I had the opportunity to visit the "little school of AMI", as I called it, in Nangarhar.

Back home, I prepared a powerpoint, which records, in an informal style, my personal impressions on this unforgettable trip.

Photos by Margarida Mota

Mina Wali visits Portugal

In May 2008, when the Shawl Pacha School was already a reality in Afghanistan, its owner, Mina Wali, paid a visit to Portugal.

Mina was warmly welcomed by AMI's staff, Hope of Mother's partner in Afghanistan

 

In Setúbal, Mina walked around the Sado's estuary, joined by AMI members

While visiting Parque das Nações (Nations Park), in Lisbon

Jeronimo's Monastery in the back (Lisbon)

In the Portuguese Parliament, Mina was received by MP Leonor Coutinho and MP Teresa Caeiro (next to Mina). At their left, a representative of AMI

In Lisbon, in an event hosted by AMI, where Mina attended a conference on humanitarian aid and children's rights

In Alcochete, with Vasco da Gama bridge in the back

Back to Parque das Nações

On the way to Oceanário (Lisbon's Oceanarium)

"At the Lisbon's Oceanarium, Mina wanted to take pictures to show the Afghan children where is Portugal, the country that, through AMI, funds their school and their education. She also wants to tell them that if they study hard and contribute to the development of their country - Afghanistan -, they may, one day, visit Portugal or even have an Oceanarium."

Testimony of LTC Octávio Vieira, who followed Mina Wali during her visit to Portugal

Photos by Octávio Vieira