Last week, I visited the organization Women for Afghan Women to meet Bibi Aisha. Bibi is a 20-year old Afghan woman, who was married off at the age of 12 to an abusive Taliban fighter. MADRE first told Bibi's story in May of 2010, as one of several Afghan women whose stories tell of terrible brutality...but also of survival. Bibi was one of the women for whom MADRE activated our Afghan Women's Survival Fund to help her receive emergency shelter.
Today, Bibi is in the United States, working with Women for Afghan Women, learning English and making plans to start her own small business to generate income.
We had heard that Bibi excels at making bead jewelry. We also know that she loves to sew. With materials donated to MADRE’s Helping Hands program, I brought Bibi fabric, spools of thread, and beads. Bibi’s face immediately lit up when I handed her the gifts. It was wonderful to see what a powerful impact our Helping Hands program makes in the lives of the women we reach.
Thank you to our donors, who make this extremely valuable work possible.
Bibi Aisha is an amazingly courageous and resilient woman. She is an inspiration for women worldwide, and we wish her a speedy recovery and the best of health.
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