Local Women Help Women of Afghanistan

A local group of women have come together to help women in Afghanistan.

On May 26 more than 40 women from the Owen Sound area gathered at the home of Edna Burri. While enjoying muffins and coffee the women did what Burri said women have always done best, “sharing problem solving over food.”

The problem they are trying to solve is illiteracy in Afghanistan through the organization Breaking Bread for Women in Afghanistan.

The organization began in Canada in 1996. To date Canada women have raised more than $1,200,000 to help pay teachers’ salaries ($750 a year), provide training to teachers, fund libraries and provide resources for schools. One hundred per cent of all donations go to help women in Afghanistan.

A visit to the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library by human-rights activist and award-winning author Sally Armstrong four years ago sparked the idea to bring Breaking Bread to this area.

What started as 10 to 15 women meeting has grown annually. This year the Owen Sound women raised $3,800.

More information on Breaking Bread can be found at www.cw4wafghan.ca