Helping Laila in her dream of helping others

When I think about the women and girls of Afghanistan, there are so many reasons to feel despair and fear, so many examples of dangerous and outrageous moves in the direction of misogyny and violence. It is tempting to succumb to the news cycle and our limited attention span, to look away and move on to the next disaster.

My work with Women for Afghan Women has connected me to some of the bravest, smartest, and most inspiring women I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. I’m writing today on behalf of one of these extraordinary women, Laila.

I’ve reached out to you before to raise funds for organizations, candidates, and movements, but this is a first. Amidst a catastrophe for millions of people, asking you to support one individual feels complicated, but it also feels deeply necessary.

Please know that I’ve been in direct communication with Laila, and I share this story with Laila's knowledge and consent.

Laila was imprisoned with her mother when she was eight or nine. In Afghanistan, if a woman is sentenced to prison, her minor children are often imprisoned with her. After being in prison for some time, Laila was connected to WAW. She came to reside at the Children Support Center (CSC), operated by the organization in the province of Kabul.

Life at the CSC was a revelation to Laila. She went to school, excelled at her studies, made friends, and felt loved. In addition to gaining literacy and language skills, Laila found the support and guidance she needed to begin her lifelong process of confronting the trauma and pain that defined her early childhood. Laila’s mother had prostituted her for years, and extended family members had been a source of dehumanizing abuse rather than protection.

WAW’s lawyers pursued an unprecedented legal path and successfully argued for the termination of Laila’s mother’s parental rights. In the eyes of the Afghan court and in the hearts of everyone at WAW who worked with Laila or learned about her story, WAW became Laila’s legal guardian. She continued to thrive and learn and grow. Laila’s intelligence was matched only by her big-heartedness and fierce optimism. She had started to dream.

After Laila was part of the WAW family for several years, her mother was released from prison and made it clear that she was determined to reunite with Laila, punish her betrayal, and pull her back into a life that offered no space for dreams.

WAW rallied to figure out how to keep Laila safe. We could not get her to the United States because of legal restrictions, but through personal connections, she was enrolled in a prestigious boarding school in southern India, Kodaikanal International School. Laila started over again. With the support of a wonderful foster family, she continued to learn – improving her English and learning Hindi - and graduated at the top of her class. This success was followed by admission to one of India’s most competitive universities in New Delhi.

I had the good fortune to meet Laila in person in January 2018. Her insight, poise and communication skills are remarkable, but I remember being most impressed and inspired by her warmth and humor. Laila’s tenacity is undeniable, but her empathy and authenticity stand out in my memories of our interactions.

Laila graduated from the Asian College of Journalism last year, and in addition to accolades and honors, her graduation triggered the expiration of her student visa. Going back to Afghanistan was never a viable option for Laila, and now less so than ever.

She was accepted to SOAS University of London. She is pursuing her Master's degree, studying human rights and international relations. Laila is composing a life that will enable her to protect and support women and children who have faced the kinds of challenges that have defined who she is. She intends to make a difference, and despite myriad reasons why it must have so often seemed impossible, she is equipping herself to do just that.

Laila is a source of hope and light in very dark times, and as Grace Paley says, the only recognizable feature of hope is action.

My fellow Board members and I have committed to paying Laila’s tuition at SOAS this year. We need to make a second tuition payment of $11,000. I hope you’ll join us to support Laila’s future. She is amazing - like so many of her Afghan sisters - and she has a chance – which makes her painfully, tragically unique.