Mellissa Fung inspires at Afghan fundraiser

May 15, 2014

by Madeliene Tarasick

Last weekend, a sold-out crowd enjoyed the 11th annual fund-raising event hosted by Canadians for Women in Afghanistan, raising $20,000 to support educational programs for girls, women and families in Afghanistan. The gala was held at the Senior Officers’ Mess at Fort Frontenac and guests included military personnel and representatives from Foreign Affairs Canada. The affair featured a sit-down Afghan dinner, silent and live auctions, and the sale of Afghan goods.

Former CBC correspondent Ms. Fung is the author of "Under an Afghan Sky", the account which chronicled her 28 days in captivity after being kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2008. Her address at the gala focused on her return to Afghanistan in May of last year, when she returned to reclaim her experience of Afghanistan and determine the progress for Afghans over the past 13 years. She accompanied CW4W president, Madeliene Tarasick, and treasurer, Marg Stewart, to visit the many sites where the organization’s programs are flourishing. This visit was featured in the documentary "Return to Afghanistan", broadcast on The National last November. Ms. Fung spoke of her great desire to return and report on the plight and the progress of Afghans, especially since her previous assignment for CBC was overshadowed by her ordeal. “No journalist wants the story to be about the journalist – the story was meant to be about the suffering of the Afghans I visited in refugee camps, but the story ended up being about me.”

Ms. Fung’s great faith in the future for Afghans was affirmed as well as her conviction that the international community must continue its support of Afghanistan and also recognize at what cost, “Canadians must recognize not only the great gains made but also the sacrifices made to achieve those gains. We need to make sure they were not made in vain and carry on our support.”

Canadians for Women in Afghanistan is the Kingston chapter of the registered, non-religious, non-political volunteer organization and registered charity. Its main focus in the education of girls, women and families in Afghanistan including supporting schools, libraries, an orphanage, literacy programs and teacher training. For more information, see www.cw4wafghan.ca.