Help AfghanAstronomer girls to reach Olympic stars

Urgent Request for Financial Support to Empower Afghan Youth in Astronomy

Dear donors,

With many problems faced by all the team members, such as rejected visa applications, most were unable to attend the Olympiad. But with one team member in attendance, Afghanistan was successful in participating in the Olympiad for the first time! Afghanistan's poster was voted the best of the 53 countries participating, an auspicious beginning. Kayhana's activities continue and your contributions will continue to support Kayhana's many educational and promotional activities, all with the same goals of becoming a scientific source for Afghan citizens, giving them a hope for the future, and preparing students for future international programs. Thank you very much for your contribution to this campaign!

Dear All,

I am writing to humbly request your assistance on behalf of Kayhana , a dedicated group of Afghan astronomy enthusiasts. Their mission is to inspire and educate Afghan youth, particularly young women, in the field of astronomy. However, due to the presence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, conducting astronomical activities has become nearly impossible for them.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Kayhana has continued its work online, becoming a beacon of scientific knowledge for Afghan individuals. They are proud to share that they have been selected to participate in the prestigious International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) in 2023, representing Afghanistan. (IOAA2023 )

Currently, because they haven't been provided with ticket information, Afghanistan's name has not entered the list yet.

To ensure the success of their team, they urgently require financial support. The funds will be used for expenses such as location fees, visa costs, transportation, accommodation, and educational materials. Your generous contribution will enable them to attend the IOAA, uplift Afghan youth, and foster a passion for astronomy despite the adversity they face.

Kayhana’s Association currently has 150 members who have been without any financial support since 2018. A total of 7 people will travel to Poland and they need €10,300 for this trip. The country of Poland will only bear the costs that are within Poland from August 10 to 20. This amount includes all other costs. and if the cost of this campaign increases, it will even help to improve their future activities. The funds will be used to sustain the activities of Kayhana’s Association and will be of great help.

Kayhana is the only active scientific group in Afghanistan, with a significant portion of their members being young women. By supporting them, you will demonstrate your commitment to empowering Afghan youth and showing solidarity with their pursuit of scientific knowledge.

They have a remarkable story and many achievements so far. In 2021, they were selected as one of the winners of the #telescope4all program by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). In 2022, four out of the 17 accepted paintings in an art competition in Austria belonged to Kayhana, with one design achieving third place. In 2023, Amena Karimyan, one of the co-founders, spoke at the Zeiss-Großplanetarium Berlin Conference , focusing on Afghanistan, astronomy, and women’s rights. She was invited to speak in five cities, including ESA Madrid, International Physics Center of Donostia, planetariums, and various universities in Spain, to discuss Afghanistan, women's conditions, and astronomy. On International Astronomy Day in the spring of 2023, Kayhana welcomed new members, specifically targeting children between the ages of 9-15, with 50 additional members joining the association.

You can contribute from 5€ to as much as you want, and don't forget that it can change the fate of millions of young people.

We deeply appreciate your consideration of their request and any support you can provide. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will have a profound impact on the lives of Afghan youth and help shape a brighter future for their country.

If you require further information or would like to discuss their cause in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact Amena Karimyan , the CEO and Founder of Kayhana Afghanistan Astronomy Association, at [email redacted] Together, we can make a difference and inspire the next generation of Afghan astronomers.

Thank you for your attention and support.

Warm regards,

Kayhana Afghanistan Astronomy Association