As the New Year began, two Afghan women who serve on the staff of the International Rescue Committee in Pakistan sent messages to the world about their hopes for the future of their homeland. Both women work for the IRC's Female Education Program for Afghan refugees-and accordingly are contributing to the effort to ensure that young Afghan women are equipped with the knowledge and skills that will help them rebuild their homeland.
Razia Stanikzai, Field Manager, Female Education Program:
The lullabies for our children have been mingled with the sounds of rockets and bombs....
My message to the world is that Afghans have many wounds to heal. They need each other and need the understanding and help of the entire world to heal. Please assist us in patching up the rifts in our nation, by stopping backing up the factions involved in war. No more bombing and bloodshed. We have bled a lot. The war has sapped our strengths for over the decades. Now we are making the very steps towards peace with your help. We need each other to build internal strength and that would not succeed if we are not supported externally. The lullabies for our children have been mingled with sounds of rockets and bombs for decades. Let them experience peace. Please let us heal and understand each other after decades of chaos. Our children do not know how is it to live in peace. There is so much strength behind our hopes. Peace in Afghanistan contributes to the peace in world.
Wahida Furmuli, Program Assistant, Female Education Program:
I want to see the girls and boys going to schools and women and men to have jobs and respect....
I want this next year to be a year of joy and hope for Afghan women and children. I want to see the girls and boys going to schools and women and men to have jobs and respect. I want to work for my country and want the world to recognize my contribution as a woman to my country's cause. I want the world to continue supporting Afghanistan. I want the neighboring countries to stop interfering in Afghan affairs and stop stoking the fire of conflict and war in my country.
Kenneth Burslem, Information Officer
Peshawar, Pakistan
Phone: 92-91-43574 or eMail: kenb@irc-pk.org
