OKC non-profit coordinates sizable donation to orphanage in Afghanistan
February 9th, 2010
Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women
Dr. Terry Neese, Founder / CEO
2709 W. I-44 Service Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-943-4474
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Feb. 9, 2010
Contact: Becca Colbaugh
Office: 405-943-4474
E-mail: bcolbaugh@ieew.org
OKC non-profit coordinates sizable donation to orphanage in Afghanistan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 9, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women is helping children in Afghanistan to receive clothing, medicine, toys and books. These goods are part of a 100,000 pound distribution facilitated by Morning Star Development, a Colorado-based non-profit organization.
Andeisha Farid operates AFCECO, an orphanage in Afghanistan.
Andeisha Farid, a 26-year-old woman from Afghanistan who operates Afghan Child Education and Care Organization (AFCECO), is a 2009 graduate of the Institute’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program. Farid first met Morning Star founder and President Daniel Batchelder last August during the ’09 program.
Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute, said that developing these kinds of partnerships are an added benefit to the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.
“Not only are we helping educate and empower women in Afghanistan through business education, but the partnerships made through our program at our International Women’s Economic Summit are making a real impact in these countries,” she said. “PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS and Morning Star’s effort to help Andeisha’s orphanage is just remarkable.”
The donated items are expected to be shipped from Colorado and distributed to the orphanage within the next few weeks, as Morning Star is in the final paperwork stages. Once landed in Afghanistan, the 100,000-pound delivery will require up to 30 trucks for transportation to AFCECO and other partners involved in this distribution.
Batchelder said that after first meeting Farid during the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, he knew that there was a link between Morning Star’s and AFCECO’s mission.
“When I arrived back in Afghanistan, Andeisha tracked me down and invited
Young Afghan girls received school supplies last year from a Morning Star distribution.
me to visit her orphanage in Kabul. A follow-up meeting led us to a partnership, which will allow us to accomplish together what neither organization could alone. We are delighted to be part of the good work Andeisha and her team is doing.” Batchelder said.
Several organizations have contributed to the cause, including National Ski Areas Association, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Hope Seeds, JAKKS Pacific Inc, as well as U.S. military organizations for logistical assistance.
Farid and her orphanage have been featured three times on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Her story made such an impact that viewers donated more than $100,000 to AFCECO in a matter of days.
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About The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women:
The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women is a 501(c)3 non-profit empowering women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures and become more active public policy advocates. The Institute accomplishes this mission by focusing on education, mentorship and coaching women in the United States and abroad who are seeking to acquire entrepreneurial skills to help start and grow a business.
About Morning Star Development
Morning Star Development is a non-profit community and economic development organization committed to help the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country and their lives by offering both resources and practical hope. We focus on bringing transformational change through sustainable economic and community development initiatives in health care, education, agriculture and small business development. We work through strategic partnerships to advance initiatives that improve the quality of life for Afghan people and provide opportunities for local capacity building. Daniel Batchelder, Morning Star’s founder has been providing humanitarian and community development in Afghanistan for 13 years. More information about Morning Star and its mission can be found at www.msdev.org.
