I have no basis from which to ask you (or someone you know) to become a sponsor of one of these kids. But I must. Many people have stopped their sponsorship. The war has dragged on, and the economy’s tailspin created hard choices… If it were a simple issue of shelter and food, there is no shortage of agencies that could provide for thousands of kids and those kids will certainly live another year. At stake here is this orphanage and these kids.
The Mehan and Sitara children are keenly aware how fortunate they are, like a miraculously selected dalai lama each has been given a path to making a real difference in their very troubled homeland. All they need is the will, and of that there is plenty. I know Mahbooba will one day walk into her village and in one sweeping year the sickness of her people and their weary prejudices will be discarded as easily as a lizard’s tail. I know Maria will one day stand in front of a class in graduate studies, teaching the intricacies of civil engineering. I know one day Farid Gul will lead a properly trained regiment of soldiers to protect a united and democratic Afghanistan, and Ulfat will improve the conditions in which the mentally ill and traumatized are treated. And without compunction I say that Farzana will one day be thrust onto the national stage not by her own ambition, but by the force of nature. She is just that special.
What is nurtured here is character in concert with a culture deeply rooted in family. The talons of government, extreme fundamentalism and racism are left behind to die of their own accord. In Mehan and Sitara there are no such fires to burn, only chi, and school books, and working together, and picnics, and every once in a while an Art Party.
What I am encouraging you to do is to get involved. You will see how suddenly your reading list changes, the way you watch the news, the things you talk about at lunch. – From Ian Pound’s Journal
During 2009, Ian Pounds spent five months as a volunteer, teaching and learning from the children at the Mehan and Sitara orphanages in Kabul. He returned home, fired with inspiration and on a mission to gather many more sponsors for the orphanages.
To achieve that end, Ian plans to spend the coming months touring the USA speaking to schools, universities, clubs and local organizations about life in Afghanistan and life in the AFCECO orphanages. He has a presentation which he can adapt to most audiences, featuring stories and video.
Inspire others to act
The orphanages urgently need more sponsors. The global economic downturn has had very real effects, with fewer people continuing their sponsorships and fewer people coming on board as new sponsors. Ian hopes to turn that trend around by sharing his stories of Mehan and Sitara.
Sisters and future leaders - Photo by Ian Pounds
Ian’s presentation is in stark contrast to the unabated stream of misery which makes up most news reports. As Ian says, “I give people, especially sponsors, a good shot in the arm. My talks contrast the dismal stuff with the joy and hope that is Mehan.”
Postscript: After the tour
It’s February 2010 and Ian’s speaking tour is over. He talked to thousands of people across the continental United States. He was inspired by the curiosity, generosity and compassion of all those to whom he talked. We know those who heard Ian speak were inspired by him.
Ian has made the decision to return to Afghanistan, to the orphanages and the children who have changed his life. Read his letter to discover more about his plans and how you can follow him on his journey.