EVENTS
‘Evening of Hope’ Fundraiser Video
PAST EVENT: 2009 Annual Fundraiser - “In the Footsteps of Alexander the Greek” Event
The Embassy of Greece in Washington D.C. hosted a special event to benefit Nooristan Foundation on May 5th, 2009. The event celebrated the cultural and historic linkage between Greece and Afghanistan. Prominent members of the Washington, D.C. diplomatic, government, art and business communities attended. “In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great,” included a reception, authentic Greek dinner, live Greek and Afghan music, a presentation by archaeologist Dr. Fredrik Hiebert of the National Geographic Society, and remarks by the Greek and Afghan Ambassadors.
The Honorary Patron for the event was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mrs. Dora Bakoiannis and the Honorary Chair H.E.The Ambassador Greece and Mrs. Alexandros P. Mallias.
The Honorary Host Committee included:
Mr. Omar Sultan, Deputy Minister of Culture of Afghanistan
Ambassador of Afghanistan Said Tayeb Jawad and Mrs. Shamim Jawad
Mr. Omar Khan Masoudi, Director General of the National Museum of Afghanistan
Senator Olympia Snowe
Congressman and Mrs. Howard Berman
Congressman and Mrs. Lee H. Hamilton
Congressman and Mrs. Dana Rohrabacher
Congressman and Mrs. John Sarbanes
Congressman and Mrs. Chris Van Hollen
Congressman and Mrs. Robert Wexler
Ambassador and Mrs. Ronald Neumann
Ambassador and Mrs. Thomas Pickering
Honorable Mr. and Mrs. Robert McFarlane
Mr. and Mrs. Arnaud de Borchgrave
Mrs. Doris Buffet
Mrs. Caroline Firestone
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Mahmood
Mrs. Robin Read
Mrs. Diana Rowan Rockefeller
Mr. and Mrs. George Stephanopoulos
Mr. Nick Verreos
Nooristan Foundation President Marie Kux stated, “We are happy that the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C. has been gracious to host this wonderful cultural celebration that shows the historic connection between Greece and Afghanistan.”
Ticket proceeds were towards projects in Afghanistan such as a village elementary school, a midwife training program, and an initiative to provide humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons at a camp outside of Kabul. Nooristan Foundation founder Dr. Nadir Atash stated, “Providing support for education and economic development in Afghanistan, especially for rural areas, is vital to securing stability. The Afghan people have suffered tremendously and want to live in peace and work towards a better future.”
PAST EVENT: Kabul School Supply Distribution
Nooristan Foundation shipped and distributed school supplies donated by the American Red Cross to four villages around Nilaw in western Nooristan in the summer of 2004. Although transporting the materials to Nooristan proved to be quite difficult (they were first transported by car and then by mules to remote areas), the reaction by the children, as well as adults, made the endeavor worth the effort.
A portion of the school supplies were also distributed to schools in Kabul, including the Kabul Teacher’s Training University .
Dr. Nadir Atash (wearing sunglasses) overseeing Nooristan Foundation school supply distribution at Kabul University, 2004
PAST EVENT: Community Night with D.C. United
Nooristan Foundation, in partnership with Afghan Sports Federation, Afghans 4 Tomorrow, American Society of Afghan Professionals and D.C. United hosted the First Annual Afghan Community Night with D.C. United on August 9, 2003 . Members of the Afghan community united for a night of exciting professional soccer and family fun. Portion of the proceeds were donated to benefit schools in Afghanistan .
PAST EVENT: Peace Corp’s Global Challenge
Nooristan Foundation was invited to attend the Peace Corp’s Global Challenge: A Day in the Life of a Peace Corps Volunteer in 2002. NF Board Members Alina Atash and Samira Atash attended the event and taught mini-classes about children in Afghanistan. Children from Towson University Kids for Peace Camp were sworn in as honorary Peace Corp Volunteers before they set out to enjoy an educational journey “visiting” several countries. The children were treated to an authentic Moroccan lunch along with other activities, including attending a classroom in Afghanistan. The campers listened to stories from two Peace Corp volunteers who had served in Afghanistan. They learned what life was like for children in Afghanistan before and after the war and learned how to write their names in Dari. The campers ended the event by writing letters to children in Afghanistan and included their pictures along with their names signed in Dari. They also collected $160 in donations for school supplies to benefit children attending school supported by the Nooristan Foundation.
