Show Afghan Women That You See Their Bravery

Hi, my name is Carmel Jud and I'm raising money for the brave women of Afghanistan, who are at risk of losing everything they fought for. Overnight their world has been shattered. 

Funds will go to the charity, Rising Worldwide (dba Rising International) that I started 19 years ago because of one extraordinary Afghan woman.  

All of us at Rising are deeply concerned for the safety of Afghan women and girls. In fact, the future of Afghanistan depends on its women. In the words of former President Barack Obama, “Empowering women isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. When women succeed, nations are more safe, more secure, and more prosperous.”

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan more than 20 years ago, there was a radio broadcast announcing that women were essentially living under house arrest. One brave Afghan woman had a vision: economic empowerment for women with no way forward. 19 years ago, she found a way forward, and we worked together to bring her vision to life in Afghanistan.

Now, I'm asking you to join us in protecting Afghan women.

Your support will help Rising to:

• Deliver emergency relief to Afghan women in Rising’s programs, beginning with the evacuation of one of Rising’s artisans who survived torture by the Taliban. We’re currently working to help her and her children leave Kabul. Emergency funds will support their living expenses once they are out safely. 
• Provide crisis management for Afghan refugees in locations around the world, including Pakistan and the U.S.
• Offer skills training for Afghan women in refugee camps to develop artisan goods that are sold by U.S. Rising survivor entrepreneurs.
• Create income generation opportunities for Afghan refugees.

Rising’s Story Began in Afghanistan in 2002

When the punishment for teaching a woman to read or write was death in Afghanistan, an Afghan teacher asked herself, “What if I wasn't afraid?” She then proceeded to build a secret school in her basement—an endeavor that would later launch Rising’s first women's economic empowerment project.

The Afghan Widow’s Doll Project was brought to life in a basement in Kabul. At first the women didn't think they had any marketable skills. We pointed out that they were already making dolls for their daughters. Sharing one sewing machine, the project began with 10 Afghan women who had lost or been abandoned by their husbands. With scraps of fabric they began sewing brighter futures.

19 years ago, those 10 brave Afghan women showed us that by selling their beautiful dolls and handcrafted goods to Rising, mothers could provide life saving resources for their children.

Mothers use their income to keep their children safe from hunger, forced child marriage, and forced labor.

Then in 2012, Khaled Hosseini, the famed Afghan author of the Kite Runner, introduced Rising to a group of Afghan refugee artisans in Pakistan. Although they had lost their homes and had to flee their homeland, these remarkable women were making sure their cultural traditions were kept alive through their craft making.

The Afghan women in the photo above are refugees. Their smiles and incredible resilience and determination remind us of the tenacity of the human spirit. Join us to help ensure the brighter life they now dream of for all Afghan women.

Survivors of conflict need a way to earn money, no matter their location or circumstances.

Today, over 25,000 survivors of extreme poverty, gender-based violence, homelessness, human trafficking, and war from more than 20 countries (including the U.S.) count on Rising to provide critical life saving support and use our global platform to sell their handcrafted goods.

To the women of Afghanistan, please know that all this impact, and all these lives touched began with you. You changed and saved so many lives.  We are here for you. We will not forget you.