Hope for Afghan Children

My name is Terry Cardwell and I live in Jupiter, Fl.  I followed the plight of the people of Afghanistan during the Taliban rule and looked for ways to help the women and children for several years.  I became a sponsor of an Afghan woman through Women for Women International when they expand their work to Afghanistan in 2003.  I then became a sponsor of three children via the RAWA sponsorship program in Spring 2004.  Though I was not able to maintain contact with one of my children, I have had the joy of watching my two boys, Ahmed Shah and Ghani, grow into outstanding young men over the past 5 years.    I expanded my individual child sponsorship last year when Andeisha set up a "pen pal" relationship between my teenage niece and Zainab. 

At the end of 2008, I was looking for opportunities to do more for the people of Afghanistan.  After much research I was torn as to what would have the most impact. So as I always tend to do I looked for "a sign" to help me decide.   On Christmas morning I awoke to an e-mail from the orphanage with a picture of the children holding a sign wishing me happy holidays.  I had my sign and I became the sponsor of the Sitara Orphanage the next day.

I believe that the empowerment of women and the education of future generations are the two most important areas to focus on in order to make the world a better place.  My individual impact on the world will never make history but perhaps through my sponsorships I will change the life of that one individual that will change the world.  In return the staff and children of AFCECO bring indescribable joy and inspiration to my life.   I think I am the lucky one.