<div>Hi, my name is James Stroud and I met Rukhsar Habibzai through the Reston Bike Club.
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<div>Rukhsar was nearing completion of her Dental Hygiene degree in Kabul Afghanistan when she and members of her family had to flee for their lives. The Taliban took over the country and banned females from attending schools and participating in athletics. Rukhsar was physically assaulted by the Taliban and the Taliban wanted her killed for many reasons, some of which are
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<li>She was a female athlete
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<li>Rukhsar advocated for woman's rights to allow women participate in sports and get an education
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<li>Rukhsar had several TV interviews where she promoted women's rights
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<li>Her brother was the mayor of Kabul
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<div>So she was forced to flee and lost everything. The Taliban destroyed all of her education records, her various cycling accolades, and all of her personal belongings.
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<div>She is working hourly in a dental office and currently can barely make ends meet while also being the primary caretaker for her elderly parents (who do not speak English &amp; her mother has various health issues).  She plans to attend Dental Hygiene school at <a href="https://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/health-professions/dental-hygiene/patient-clinic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Western</a> in the Fall of 2024 with the intent to become financially independent. The US Federal government assistance for her, her parents, and other family members has ended (it lasts just a year).
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<div>This money will be used to help her and her immediate family with
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<li>Rent and living expenses
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<li>Room and Board at school (she is hoping to get a scholarship to pay for tuition)
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<li>Purchase a used car and help pay for auto insurance and maintenance
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<li>Down payment on a house to house herself and family members (including her mother and father) that were able to escape Afghanistan
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<div>Rukhsar continues to advocate for woman's rights and is an aspiring cyclist. Rukhsar and her Afghan cycling teammates were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016.
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<div>Here is more background on her <a href="https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/rukhsar-habibzai-an-afghan-womans-journey-of-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harrowing story</a>
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<div>Rukhsar has also given a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrD9xLV17T0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ted Talk</a> about woman inequality in Afghanistan and her cycling dream and what she is overcoming.
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<div>In full discolsure there was prior <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-femaleafghan-athlete" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">go fund me set up for Rukhsar</a> that has not been very active recently and most of the funds from this have been used already (there is just a few thousands dollars unspent). This gofundme is an attempt to obtain more funds to support Rukhsar and her family.
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Support Afghan female refugee & cyclist in USA

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