Past and Upcoming Afghanaid Events
PAST
Afghan Fashion Show
In October, Lady Cowper-Coles and Lady Jackson arranged the second annual Afghan Fashion Show. The theme for the evening was "Made in Afghanistan." Their efforts along with a dedicated committee including top UK fashion model, Olivia Inge, turned Porchester Hall in west London into a magical Afghan bazaar. The hall exuded vibrant colours, music and dance traditional from Afghanistan and Central Asia. The show included traditional Afghan clothing and modern fashion by Zarif designs and the London College of Fashion. The night also featured unique performances of traditional Afghan music and a splendid Sufi dancer who left guests fully entranced. The evening raised more than £20,000 for Afghanaid's work. www.afghanfashionshow.org.uk
10K Walk for Afghanistan
On Sunday, 6th February, Afghanaid supporters came from far and wide to walk and listen to authors Bijan Omrani and Bill Woodburn share their experiences of Afghanistan. The route started at the Asian Music Circuit's Museum (London) and stopped for a traditional Afghan lunch in the Afghan Embassy. At the end of the walk, the comfortable cushions on sale at the Turkmen Gallery provided the perfect spot to rest weary limbs. Eliz Hurt said, "I really enjoyed the whole day - well organised, good company, good food, very interesting and it was for a good cause." There will be another 10K Walk for Afghanistan in late 2011 but in the meantime why not try one of our summer walking challenges? Information on the Scafell Pike(16 – 18 September) challenges can be found on www.afghanaid.org.uk/challenge
Afghanaid women's groups exhibit their handiwork at the British Museum
Two hundred cotton shoulder bags were designed, stitched and embroidered by Afghanaid's women's groups in Samangan and Badakhshan especially for the Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World exhibition at the British Museum. The bags are on sale at the exhibition shop for £10.99.
UPCOMING
Afghanaid's Summer of Songs
Whether you are a natural performer or an avid audience member, Afghanaid invites you to celebrate sun and music this season with a Summer of Songs. We are looking for singers and musicians to go out into the streets, parks and pubs of Britain to perform in aid of Afghanaid. You can find more details about how to organise your event and collect funds at www.afghanaid.org.uk/songs
If you are not a performer but love music why not organise a garden BBQ, invite your friends
round and show off your perfectly selected summer playlist?
What could be better than an afternoon in the sun, surrounded by friends and your favourite music? If that's not enough to whet your appetite, all performers and event organisers will receive a free copy of PUTUMAYO world music CD ‘Café Sampler' (while stocks last).
The UK premiere of The Boy Mir - Ten Years in Afghanistan
by Phil Grabsky, film director
"After The Boy who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan was completed, its festival circuit presence
and first TV screenings had ended, I started to think about Mir again and how his life would continue. It was atently obvious that Mir's story had not ended. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that Mir's journey into adulthood actually represents more than one boy's struggle in Afghanistan. Mir represents the journey of is country; a country desperately struggling to find its identity. y relationship with Mir has grown and developed over the past ten years, much like Mir is growing as a person. As I continued to film, my breadth of knowledge and understanding of Mir and his family also grew.
We often hear from the front line in Afghanistan, but The Boy Mir reveals real, rural Afghan life rarely seen before and also shown over a decade. Following Mir for ten years has been a big commitment, but one that I think has produced an extraordinary insight, not only of Afghanistan, but of one boy becoming a man.
I make films to entertain, to move, to inform - I make films to make a difference. A tiny pebble thrown into an endless lake perhaps but if we all throw a pebble, maybe one day the shadow of maybe one day the shadow of movement becomes a ripple, becomes a wave and change will come.”
The UK premiere of this long awaited sequel will be on 28 September at the Royal Geographical Society. Afghanaid alongside Mir’s family and Save The Children are a beneficiary of the film’s proceeds. For more information about the film please visit www.theboymir.com
Volunteer training day
A cyber volunteer training event will be held in September. It will be a chance for new and existing supporters to learn, via the internet, about Afghanaid's work and opportunities to help with Afghanaid fundraisers. If you would like to become an official Afghanaid volunteer and help us to extend our fundraising, please contact Ffion (ffion@afghanaid.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 065 0825).
Apples for Afghanistan
This October, join us in celebrating Afghanaid's work by hosting an Apples for Afghanistan party at your home, local school or place of worship. It is very easy. Just request an Apples for Afghanistan pack, invite your guests, and start cooking your delicious apple based dishes. The pack includes 10 recipes as well as drinks suggestions to get your party started. You could arrange your event on National Apple Day (21 October) or hold an alternative Halloween party (31 October). Visit www.afghanaid.org.uk/apples or contact Ffion (ffion@afghanaid.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 065 0825) to request your pack today.