Members of PTPI find countless ways to bring the mission of Peace through Understanding to their communities. Carolyn Aker, founder of our Medfield, MA Student Chapter, told us why the chapter members to volunteer their time to sponsoring young women who come to the United States from Afghanistan in order to study and then take what they learn back to their country, to contribute to rebuilding:
Why did your chapter decide to get involved with the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women (IEAW)?
Our chapter decided to get involved after my family hosted two students involved in the program for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed our time with them so much that we wanted to stay involved with the organization and help welcome other students from Afghanistan to the United States. Working with the IEAW was a great fit for our chapter because we were able to become friends with some amazing young women, learn about their experiences, and discover something about our own background as well.
What have you learned through your interaction with the students?
I’ve learned a lot. I appreciate my own education so much more now that I’ve heard what other women my age have gone through to earn theirs. I think it is very easy to think of events that are happening halfway around the world only in an abstract sense; meeting people from those places makes understanding global politics all the more important and more interesting. But mostly, I just met some really cool young women and learned how to have fun with people who have had very different experiences from me but who have such similar goals in life.
Is there a particular experience that stands out in your memory?
One of the students had actually made a short documentary about her time learning to drive in Afghanistan. We watched it one night, and everyone had a great time. It was a great conversation starter; most of the people in the room had struggled or were struggling learning to drive, so everyone could contribute to the conversation. But the film itself was really well done. One moment you were laughing about the filmmaker’s struggles to avoid a car accident and the next you were practically in tears realizing how much being able to drive means to a woman in Afghanistan. It was a great way to communicate both how everyone has to overcome challenges in their lives and how important education and cooperation are.
Do students continue their work with IEAW after they graduate from the Medfield, MA Student Chapter?
Yes. One of the great things about working with the IEAW is that most of the students are on Facebook or other social networking sites, so you can keep talking to them as you would any friend you don’t see every day. Chapter members who are in college can help new students get used to campus life. My own major is international relations, a field which interests many of the students, so I have explained to several people what I study and what such a degree entails.
What can other chapters do to support the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women?
Lots of things! Students always need warm winter clothes, like coats and boots. They would also appreciate getting to know families and young adults in the areas around their universities so they have someone to visit over school breaks or turn to if they have any questions about American life. Chapters can also host fundraisers to help pay for students’ travel and living expenses as well as program outreach. If you are interested in getting involved in the IEAW or have any questions about the organization, please contact the IEAW’s Program Coordinator, Risa Gilpin, at rgilpin@ieaw.org.
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
