A second walkathon was held recently in Perth to raise funds for the next two young Afghan interns to train in peacemaking and leadership at Asia Plateau in India. The interns selected for this September’s intake are a young journalist and a graduate of Business Administration, who come from remote areas and from differing ethnic groups. A small multicultural group gathered for the Walk –a third of whom were children. It was a lovely, peaceful day, ending in a shared picnic lunch. Amazingly, over $2,200 was raised, including generous donations from those who couldn’t attend.

This ongoing initiative is inspired by Mahboba Rawi’s vision to educate 30 young Afghans from each religious and ethnic group in Afghanistan in the ways of peace. The aim is to build a solid basis for a viable democracy in her country. Mahboba is convinced that from among those we are helping to train (some of whom are orphans she has educated in schools she has established in Kabul), there will be a future Prime Minister.  She remarked recently that it is totally transforming the lives of these young people, that they look different and have gained so much in confidence and hope. When they return home, they mentor many other young people. One intern is now working at an Embassy in Kabul and another has won a scholarship to study Law at a top US University.  Anyone wishing to contribute to this program can contact Caroline here.