02.27.2020 – Ayenda Foundation, in collaboration with the Arena Stage Theater celebrated its 15 Annual Benefit dinner. As always, the committed friends of Ayenda became together to applaud its achievements and show support to Ayenda and its mission of educating the Afghan children.

Shamim Jawad, Founder and President of Ayenda Foundation greeted the guests and said,  “the aim of our annual gathering is to raise further awareness about the continued challenges of the Afghan children and to highlight fifteen years of engagement and accomplishments. Your presence and support enable us to continue to provide the Afghan children with a safe, bright and peaceful future. We are very grateful for your participation and ongoing support; it means a lot.”

The beautiful gathering followed by the stage premiere of renowned author, Khaled Hosseini’s book “A Thousand Splendid suns”, and ended by a panel discussion with the cast on the importance of education for girls. 

The play adapted from the New York Times bestselling novel by Khaled Hosseini (Kite Runner), the lives of two Afghan women are inextricably bound together. In the war-ravaged Kabul, Miriam and Laila become unlikely allies in the face of the insurmountable odds of a brutal and oppressive way of life. Hopes of a new life lead to an unselfish and shocking decision, changing the course of their futures forever. This gripping and heart-rending fight for survival kept the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.