2020
Ayenda School Reopening after Five-Months Shutdown of COVID-19 Pandemic
08.22.2020 – Ayenda School is so happy to report that our school has reopened today after the prolonged five-months shutdown due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. It is so heartwarming for us to see our eager and bright students are back in their classrooms with big smiles and sharp minds.
Ayenda Foundation 15th Annual Benefit Dinner at The Arena Stage Theater
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.
2019
Honoring Women’s History Month
03.15.2019 – The Ayenda Foundation in partnership with THML Theater Company hosted a sold out panel discussion in honor of Women’s History Month. The panelists included three women founders: Kayla Friend, founder of a female-focused theater company, THML Theater Company. Yelda Ali, co-founder of an international female-only collective of creative leader, Camel Assembly. Fereshteh Forough, founder of the first coding school for girls in Afghanistan, Code to Inspire. The panel was moderated by Ayenda Foundation board member, Nawa A. Lodin.
2018
Ayenda Foundation’s 13th Annual Benefit Dinner at the Danish Embassy
05.30.2018 – Ayenda Foundation celebrated its 13th Annual Benefit Dinner at the Danish Embassy, hosted by H. E. Ambassador Lars Gert Lose and Mrs. Ulla Ronberg. The Evening started with a warm welcoming remark by Ambassador Lose, highlighting Denmark’s Key support for Afghanistan. Mrs. Shamim Jawad, Founder of the Ayenda Foundation thanked Ambassador Lose and the government of Denmark for their support for Afghanistan. Mrs. Jawad said, “we are grateful for Denmark’s ongoing commitment to support growth, employment, education, democracy building and human rights in Afghanistan”.
2017
Ayenda Foundation’s 12th Annual Benefit Dinner at the Embassy of Finland
03.22.2017 – Ayenda Foundation celebrated its 12th Annual Benefit Dinner at the Embassy of Finland, hosted by H.E. Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi.
The Foundation brought together U.S. Officials, members of Congress, Media partners, corporations, longstanding friends and supporters and the Diplomatic community.
Mrs. Shamim Jawad, Founder and President of Ayenda Foundation welcomed the guests and thanked Ambassador Kauppi for hosting the wonderful event at their beautiful embassy. She said, “We are grateful for Finland’s assistance for girl’s education, women empowerment, rule of law, the reform of Justice sector, protection of human rights and good governance. In the past 15 years, Finland has provided Afghanistan with over $30 million Eur per year for such crucial projects.
2015
Ayenda Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
10.19.2015 – Ayenda Foundation celebrated its 10th years of progress in educating Afghan children in a big ceremony at the Residence of Ambassador of Japan, H.E. & Mrs. Kenichiro Sasae.
The milestone celebration brought together the Diplomatic Community, U.S. Officials, members of Congress, Media partners, corporations and longstanding friends and supporters.
The Founder and President of Ayenda Foundation, Mrs. Shamim Jawad, welcomed the guests and thanked Ambassador and Mrs. Sasae for hosting Ayenda’s 10th Anniversary at their most magnificent residence and for their warm hospitality and friendship.
Ayenda Foundation is Proudly Announcing Partnership on an Innovative Literacy Program with LitWorld
07.01.15 – The Ayenda Foundation and LitWorld edit my are happy to announce a partnership on an innovative literacy program at the Ayenda Learning Center in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. LitWorld is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization creating a permanent positive change in the world through literacy programs. Litworld facilitates Litclubs all over the world. These clubs provide a safe and supportive environment for students to explore communication skills with the guided mentorship of a LitClub Leader.
This past month the program started at the Ayenda Learning Center with 20 students from age 10-14 years old. LitClub sessions are structured around LitWorld’s 7 Strengths, foundational ideas that promote resilience and create new ways to reach every child as a reader, learner, and writer. These strengths include: Belonging, Curiosity, Friendship, Kindness, Confidence, Courage, and Hope. The students learned about these 7th strengths and participated in discussions about them during their first few weeks of the program.
2014
Ayenda Foundation’s Ninth Annual Benefit Dinner at the Embassy of Italy
10.06.2014 – Ayenda Foundation celebrated its 9th Annual Benefit Dinner at the Embassy of Italy hosted by H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Claudio Bisogniero.
The Foundation brought together U.S. Officials, members of Congress, Media partners, corporations, longstanding Friends and supporters and the Diplomatic community committed to this mission.
Mrs. Shamim Jawad, Founder and President of Ayenda Foundation welcomed the guests and thanked Ambassador Bisogniero and Mrs. Laura Denise for hosting the wonderful event at their magnificent embassy. She said, “Our people are proud of their very longstanding friendship with Italy.
Ayenda Learning Center Started New School Year
04.01.2014 – Ayenda Learning Center started the new school year on April 1, 2014. Students returned to school fully energized
and with lots of enthusiasm for starting another exciting year of learning.
Ayenda has hired a new English and Computer teacher. She is a graduate of the Kabul University and very qualified for the job. She has designed a comprehensive method of teaching basic computer and English for the students. Students were trilled to see a highly qualified instructor joining the Ayenda team.
2013
Ayenda Foundation’s Eighth Annual Benefit Dinner at the Residence of the Swiss Ambassador
10.09.2013 – Ayenda Foundation held its 8th Annual Benefit dinner at the Residence of the Swiss Ambassador, under the patronage of E.H. Manuel Sager and his wife
Christine Sager on October 9, 2013. His Excellency President and Mrs. de Lazoda of Bolivia, Ambassador Claudia Fritsche of Liechtenstein, Mrs. Ellen Noghes of Monaco, Congressman Ed Royce and Marie Royce, Congressman Joseph Crowley and Kasey Crowley, Congressman John Dingell and Debbie Dingell, Congressman John McGovern and Lisa McGovern and many other prominent friends of Ayenda Foundation were in attendance to celebrate the Foundation’s accomplishments and support the children of Afghanistan.
2012
Ayenda Foundation’s Seventh Annual Benefit Dinner at the Residence of the UK Ambassador
10.10.12 – The Ayenda Foundation hosted its annual benefit dinner at the residence of the British Ambassador, Sir Peter Westmacott, to promote the welfare, education, and development of Afghanistan’s youth. The Foundation brought together U.S. Officials, Media partners. and the Diplomatic community committed to this mission, including Ambassador Rudolf Bekink of the Netherlands, Ambassador Claudia Fritsche of Lichtenstein, Ambassador Gilles Noghes of Monaco, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, and Leslie Schweitzer, Chair of Friends of the American University of Afghanistan.
Ayenda Distributes New School Uniforms to All Students
09.01.12 – Ayenda Foundation distributed brand new school uniforms to the 150 students of the Ayenda Learning Center. The students were thrilled to receive their new uniforms – the boys were cheering in their new blue shirts and grey pants while the girls were excited to receive black pantsuits with white headscarves. The majority of students at Ayenda Learning Center are orphans who have lost either one or both parents and live in very poor conditions. The students can feel great pride in their new uniforms as it marks a symbolic moment in their young lives and growing academic ambitions.
Reaching Out to the Victims of the Harsh Winter in Kabul
03.01.2012 – Ayenda Foundation, a non-profit public charity 501 (c) 3 organization, distributed over $10,000 worth of humanitarian supplies to Afghan refugee returnees and internally displaced families in Kabul after being hit by this winter’s record snowfall and unprecedented cold temperatures. As the New York Times recently reported, in a period of a few weeks. This is not an official count of the number of lives lost since most deaths are often left unreported or undocumented; however, they do continue to die in ever-increasing numbers. In addition to the families who have lost loved ones due to deadly temperatures, thousands more continue to struggle to keep warm and find food to eat. Families that have survived the freezing temperatures do so in flimsy makeshift tents while very little assistance, western or local, has been made available to them.
2011
Ayenda Foundation’s Sixth Annual Benefit Dinner
10.26.2011 –The Ayenda Foundation’s sixth annual benefit dinner in support of the Afghan children was held on October 26 at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, DC, with the Mexican Ambassador, His Excellency Arturo Sarukhan, as the honored keynote speaker. Esteemed members of Congress, the diplomatic corp. and influential figures in the private sector, in addition to many valued friends of Ayenda, attended this highly successful and enthusiasm-filled dinner.
Ayenda Distributed Winter Clothing to Children of Bamiyan
11.15.2011 – The Ayenda Foundation is delighted to report that we have distributed warm jackets, winter socks and hardy boots to the children of the Ayenda Learning Center in Bamiyan province. The children, many of whom walk several miles every day across ground blanketed with snow to reach the Learning Center, were overjoyed to receive these essential items of clothing. As an organization committed to the children’s well-being both within the Learning Center as well as without, Ayenda is also happy to send the children off with warm clothes for their winter recess, as temperatures regularly drop below freezing in Bamiyan.
2010
Shamim Jawad, President of Ayenda Foundation, Hosts Benefit Gala with Special Guest Khaled Hosseini
10.23.2010 – On Saturday, October 23rd, 2010, the Ayenda Foundation held its Fifth Annual Benefit Dinner with the internationally renowned Afghan writer Dr. Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, as Guest of Honor at the historic Columbus Club in Union Station. Over 80 prominent guests attended, including the former president of Bolivia, President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador and Mrs. Gilles Noghès of Monoco, Ambasssador Claudia Fritsche of Lichtenstein, Ms. Jennifer Griffin, National Security Correspondent for Fox News, Ambassador Said Jawad, Founder and President of the Foundation for Afghanistan, Mrs. Shamim Jawad, Founder and President of Ayenda Foundation, Afghan girls attending schools in the Metro area, U.S. officials, members of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council and members of Afghan and international media.
2009
Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures
6.23.09 – 9.20.09 – The Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul will be moving to New York City on exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ayenda Foundation will be hosting an event in connection with the exhibition on June 15th.
New Learning Center Opens in Bamiyan
03.25.09 – Bamiyan, Afghanistan – Today (March 25, 2009), the Ayenda Foundation inaugurated the Ayenda Learning Center, a new school in the historic and picturesque province of Bamiyan. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bamiyam’s Governor, Ms. Habiba Sarabi, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Said T. Jawad, Ayenda Foundation Founder Shamim Jawad and a number of Afghan and international guests.
Ayenda Awareness Reception in Houston
2.25.09 – On February 25, 2009 the Ayenda Foundation held an awareness reception in Houston, Texas, hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Peter Coneway at their residence in connection with the opening of Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul that was on exhibit to the public February 27–May 17, 2009 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
2008
Under Secretary Dobriansky Leads Delegation Trip to Afghanistan
12.08.08 – Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky led a delegation of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council on a trip to Afghanistan on November 19-20. During the trip, members of the delegation met with President Hamid Karzai and other senior officials and discussed the future of the Council.
Lady Laura Bush Visits the Ayenda Children Learning Center
06.08.08 – On Sunday, June 8, First Lady Laura Bush arrived in Afghanistan for her third surprise visit. During her visit, Mrs. Bush met with President Hamid Karzai, members of the Afghan Cabinet, U.S. and NATO soldiers at Bagram Airbase, as well as Afghan civilians as she toured Kabul and traveled to Bamiyan province. (Read her op-ed on the trip published in the Wall Street Journal on June 12 here.)
Ayenda Foundation celebrated its Third Annual Benefit Dinner
05.29.08 – Hundreds of distinguished guests attended a dinner reception to celebrate the third anniversary of the Ayenda Foundation, the Afghan Children Initiative, at the Embassy of Canada on May 29, 2008.
The reception coincided with the opening of “Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul” at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The evening began as Hidden Treasures curator Fred Hiebert led guests on a private tour of the exhibit’s 228 artifacts, including 4,000 year old gold bowls, 2,000 year old glass and sculpture, and the jewelry and ornaments of the legendary Bactrian Hoard. Upon returning to the Canadian Embassy, guests dined on Afghan delicacies prepared by Bamiyan Restaurant of Falls Church, VA.
2007
Helping Afghanistan’s Youngest Generation
12.04.07 – Every time Shamim Jawad, wife of the Afghan ambassador, visits Afghanistan, she says that it is the children themselves who inspire her, despite their obvious hardships during and since the Taliban era. “The first thing I always notice is the children …their bright and curious eyes and their gentle, musical laughter.”
The Ayenda Foundation Celebrates Second Anniversary
10.29.07 – On Monday, October 29, a benefit dinner in honor of the second anniversary of the Ayenda Foundation, the Afghan Children Initiative, was held at the Embassy of Afghanistan. Ambassador Said T. Jawad and Ayenda founder Mrs. Shamim Jawad hosted nearly 150 distinguished guests, including Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, Mrs. Diana Bodman, the honorable Esther Coopersmith and many others. The benefit dinner was Co-chaired by Timothy McBride, Senior Vice President of Freddie Mac and the co-founder of the Ayenda Foundation and sponsored by Freddie Mac.
Novel Company
09.14.07 – Shamim Jawad hosted Capitol File Magazine and Influential Washington Women for a book club discussion of Khaled Hosseini’s second book “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council Travels to Afghanistan
07.20.07 – U.S. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky traveled to Afghanistan July 16-20 to convene the ninth formal meeting of the U.S. Afghan Women’s Council (USAWC). The Under Secretary co-chairs the Council with Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Afghan Minister of Women’s Affairs Dr. Hussn Banu Ghazanfar, and Afghan Minister of Education Mr. Hanif Atmar. Mrs. Shamim Jawad, founder of AYENDA Foundation, the Afghan Children Initiative and a member of the US-Afghan Women’s Council, accompanied Under Secretary Dobriansky.
Ayenda Benefit Dinner coverage at the Washington Life Magazine
THE EVENT
Afghan Amb. Said T. Jawad and his wife Shamim, hosted a benefit dinner for Ayenda, the Afghan Children Initiative. Ayenda, which means “future” in Dari, works to implement projects that promote the welfare, education, health and artistic and athletic abilities of Afghan Children.
THE SCENE
Guests listened to remarks by First Lady Laura Bush and Dr. Khaled Hosseini (author of “The Kite Runner”) speakbefore diningonatraditionalAfghanbuffetthatincluded Mantu (ground beef and scallion-filled dumpling topped with yogurt) and Firnee (cornstarch pudding with pistachios). Fariba Jahanbani,who organized a silent auction with sponsor Cartier, shared that this was an important evening because it “planted a seed” in the children of Afghanistan that will help them grow.
Qu Qu Qu Barge-e-Chinaar; Childrens’ Songs From Afghanistan
On Friday, March 2, 2007, the Ayenda Foundation hosted a reception at the Embassy of Afghanistan to celebrate the publication of Qu Qu Qu Barg-e-Chinaar: Children’s Songs from Afghanistan and honor its author Dr. Louise Pascale.
For many years, Louise Pascale dreamed of the songs she heard as a young volunteer in Afghanistan, songs that she feared had been lost forever. Today Ms. Pascale has partnered with a number of cultural organizations and talented Afghan artists to create a stunning book and melodic CD of songs that have been making expatriate Afghans long for their childhood and their country.
2006
Wounds of war are healing
12.09.06 – Afghanistan native talks on past, present, future of embattled country.
WILLIAM KELLY
Palm Beach Daily News
Da
ily News Staff Writer
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Speaking this week at a luncheon hosted by the World Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches at the Northern Trust Bank, Shamim Jawad recalled the Afghanistan of her youth as a moderate and peaceful nation, its capital Kabul as a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western cultures.
Women often were employed as teachers and had a voice in Afghan affairs, she said. Then came the Soviet invasion of 1979, which plunged the central Asian country into nearly three decades of warfare. Then a teen, Jawad moved with her parents to the United States in 1980. Today her husband, Said T. Jawad, is Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States, and she is an advocate for the rights of women and children in her native land.
After destroying Afghanistan’s economy and infrastructure, the Soviets departed in 1989, defeated by the fierce tribal resistance.
U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council Partners with Georgetown University
12.06.06 – Georgetown University hosted First Lady Laura Bush, Ambassador Said T. Jawad, Mrs. Shamim Jawad, founder of the Ayenda Foundation and Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky on December 4 in a ceremony inaugurating a new partnership between Georgetown and the U.S. Afghan Women’s Council. In the next two years the council will transition from the State Department to Georgetown with the aim of becoming a sustainable institution independent from the federal government. With the support of Georgetown, the council will expand its work to empower Afghan women through educational opportunities, skills training, improving political and legal participation, and access to medical care.
From Mines to Vines: Two Mothers in Afghanistan
10.19.06 – On October 2006, Mrs. Shamim Jawad and Mrs. Heidi Kuhn traveled to Afghanistan to witness a harvest of hope. Mrs. Shamim Jawad, Founder of the Ayenda Foundation, the Afghan Children Initiative, and Mrs. Heidi Kuhn, founder of Roots of Peace, traveled around Afghanistan, visiting health clinics, farms, orchards and schools.
Afghanistan survived thirty years of war, but continues to suffer from the estimated 10 million landmines that lay hidden just below the surface of the country’s beautiful terrain. These landmines have ruined land that could have been used to grow fruit or provide space for children to play soccer. Even today, thousands of children continue to fall victim to this deadly plague.
Penny Campaign for Peace
9.11.06 – On the five-year anniversary of 9/11, Mrs. Shamim Jawad, founder of the Ayenda Foundation, traveled to Fremont California to speak to more than 1,000 teenagers participating in a special junior high school assembly. The event launched the annual Roots of Peace Penny Campaign to give children in Afghanistan safe schools and soccer fields.
Addressing the audience in Farsi and English, Mrs. Jawad said, “We are here today on the fifth anniversary of 9/11, to share the accomplishments of the Afghan people. I am happy to report that the wounds of war are healing in Afghanistan, hope is being restored and smiles are reappearing on the faces of Afghan children. Now is the time to give them the hope, education and resources that every child deserves and demands.”
First Lady Laura Bush’s Remarks at the Afghan Children Initiative Benefit Dinner
03.16.06 – MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Ambassador. Thank you for your very, very kind introduction; and thank you for hosting this lovely evening tonight in your beautiful embassy. Mrs. Jawad, thank you very much. And, Tim McBride, thank you both for your enthusiastic work as the co-chairs of Ayenda — the Afghan Children Initiative. You’re doing such important work on behalf of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, as well, for the children of Afghanistan. And I want to thank both of you very much.
Ayenda, The Afghan Children Initiative Benefit Dinner – Said Tayeb Jawad, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States
3.16.06 – Madam First Lady, Dr. Khaled Hosseini, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to our modest home. Most of you have done so much for my country, that I feel Afghanistan is your second home. Welcome to your home.
We are honored by the presence of all of you, especially Secretary Rumsfeld, Ambassador Karim Kawar, Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah and General Peter Pace. I am delighted that Ms. Fawzia Karzai, Mr. Qayum Karzai, Mr. Mahmood Karzai, and Princess Yassamin Pahlawi have joined us.
2005
AFGHANISTAN: Education a lifeline in Afghanistan, Karin Palmquist
03.30.05 – On March 30, First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings visited Afghanistan for six hours to inspect the progress of several education initiatives and announce US financial support for two new projects. They were accompanied on the ground by Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobrianski and a delegation from the US Afghan Women’s Council.
The Afghan Children Initiative Benefit Dinner – Shamim Jawad, Co-chair, Remarks
Thank you, Mrs. Bush, for your inspiring speech. We are truly honored to have you at our home tonight. I would like to join my husband in thanking you for your sincere devotion to helping the children of Afghanistan, and for supporting Ayenda, the Afghan Children Initiative.
I had the privilege of accompanying the First Lady on her first historic trip to Afghanistan last year. I saw how much she cares for empowering the women of Afghanistan, and I was struck by the love she showed to the children we met in Kabul. I vividly remember our brief stop at the bakery, and the First Lady’s inspiring chat with three youngsters, who she gave white and blue kaleidoscopes as a keepsake and to signify U.S. commitment to Afghanistan.
Ayenda Children Learning Center Update
The Ayenda Foundation has partnered with the Bayat Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to helping Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations, to build the Bamiyan learning center and orphanage. This facility will simultaneously provide two necessities crucial for a child’s growth and development—education and shelter.