The Afghan Women's Mission

Sonali Kolhatkar appears several times on the video Rethink Afghanistan. She is a board member of The Aftan Women's Mission. This is another organization of women who oppose the surge in troops by the Obama administration. See AWM's mission statement and other facts below.

Bob

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Who We AreThe Afghan Women's Mission is a group of people moved to action by the plight of Afghan refugees, especially the women and children. The Mission was founded in January 2000 and continues to support many programs run by Afghan women including Malalai Clinic, schools, orphanages, agricultural programs, demonstrations and functions in support of women's and human rights. The Mission is run by an active board of volunteer directors as well as by a number of dedicated volunteers.

The Afghan Women's MissionThe Afghan Women's Mission was founded in response to the compelling need for adequate hospital facilities near Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. Our first undertaking was the re-opening of the Malalai Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This flagship project was effectively started in late 2001. In 2005, Malalai Hospital was transitioned into Malalai Clinic in Khewa refugee camp.

Broadly speaking, the objectives of the Afghan Women's mission fall into three categories:
Health Care: establish and operate free health centers serving primarily Afghan women and children.

Education and Empowerment: support schools and other programs for Afghan refugees to alleviate emotional suffering and decrease illiteracy and joblessness; and to empower Afghan women to build sustainable livelihoods.

Awareness: conduct campaigns to increase public awareness on women's and human rights and related issues in Afghanistan and Afghan refugee camps. Board of DirectorsSonali Kolhatkar Sonali is host and co-producer of a one hour daily radio show called Uprising on KPFK (90.7 fm in Los Angeles and 98.7 fm in Santa Barbara), a listener-sponsored community radio station, which is part of the Pacifica network. Sonali's radio show airs from 8 am to 9 am weekdays and is a public affairs political news magazine. Sonali is also a spokesperson for the Afghan Women's Mission and speaks widely on college campuses, community fora, and conferences. She also pursues social, activist and artistic endeavors which include web design, political writing and organizing, song writing and singing, painting and cooking. Her most recent articles can be found on her web site.

James Ingalls Jim is a staff scientist at Caltech's Spitzer Space Telescope Science Center. He manages AWM's monthly pledge program. As a graduate student, he spent four months at the South Pole, and he returned with a greater appreciation for humanity. Jim has written on a number of political issues. His latest articles can be found on his web site.

Martha J. Heil Martha Heil, the press manager for the Afghan Women's Mission, is intent on supporting the continuing fight for women's rights. She has spoken at Los Angeles-area colleges on behalf of RAWA. An aspiring science writer, Heil likes nature and books. She currently resides in Washington, DC.

Management

Heather Schreck Community Relations Manager Heather began volunteering for AWM, driven by her passion for social activism and women's rights. Heather currently works for HBO and loves every minute of it. But, her ultimate dream is to create independent film projects on different social issues. In her spare time she picks up and opens AWM mail, sorts donations and helps with donor outreach. She also volunteers her time tabling for AWM at local events.

(NOTE NEW ADDRESS)The Afghan Women's MissionPO Box 40846, Pasadena, CA 91114-7846, USACopyright © 2000-2009, IHC/Afghan Women's Mission, All Rights Reserved WorldwideLast Updated 02/09/06