Let's extend a helping hand to Afghanistan!

Afghanistan is one of the poorer countries in the world, and children and teenagers suffer the most. The poverty line in Afghanistan is rising every year and, last year, under the Taliban, more than 95 percent were poor. The needs of these people -- from food to hygiene items to shelter -- are increasing every day. Poverty has caused physical and mental diseases and drug addiction. Life expectancy is decreasing by 20 percent and more than 8 million people don't have enough to eat, according to the World Food Organization.

The Persian poet Saadi Shirazi tells us "humans are members of each other," so each of us is responsible to all; their comfort is a source of peace. Therefore, we established a charitable foundation called Raindrops to help the needy.

Raindrops has been active in the last decade, trying to help the poor as much as possible. In the past year, poverty has deeply affected Afghanistan. We know we can't help everyone, but each "raindrop" helps make a river of hope. Please share in the sorrow and pain of the people of Afghanistan and extend a helping hand.