Razia Jan

Razia Jan, born in Afghanistan, has worked for many years to forge connections between Afghans and Americans. Razia is the founder of Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Afghanistan through community-based education.[1] She was nominated as a Top 10 CNN Hero of 2012 for her work on the Zabuli Education Center, a school that she founded in rural Afghanistan that provides a free education to about 350 girls.[2]

Career and Charity Work

Razia moved to the United States in 1970. The proprietor of a small tailoring business in Duxbury, Massachusetts, she served as president of the town’s Rotary Club.[3] She is a member of the Interfaith Council and No Place for Hate, and a member of the Board of Directors at Jordan Hospital.[4]

After September 11, 2001, Razia rallied her New England community to send over 400 homemade blankets to rescue workers at Ground Zero.[5] Her efforts expanded to include sending care packages to US troops in Afghanistan. Through her involvement in the military’s Operation Shoe Fly, she coordinated the delivery of over 30,000 pairs of shoes to needy Afghan children.[5] Her handmade quilts commemorating September 11 have been exhibited at Madison Square Garden, the chapel at the Pentagon, and at fire stations in New York and Massachusetts.[4]

In October 2008, Razia moved back to Kabul, where she is developing and managing aid projects for Afghan rug weavers and their families as the Country Program Director for the Chicago-based nonprofit Arzu Inc., in addition to her work with Razia’s Ray of Hope.[6]

Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation

Razia Jan is the founder of Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Afghanistan through community-based education. The Foundation strives to provide opportunities to learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment, empowering girls and women through education and resources so that they may work toward brighter futures — in their own villages and beyond. The Foundation's flagship project is the Zabuli Education Center, a humanitarian endeavor led by Razia Jan. The mission of the school is to provide free education for girls in the village of Deh’Subz, outside of Kabul.

Awards & Recognition

Razia has received many awards for her humanitarian work, including the 2007 Woman of Excellence award from Germaine Lawrence Inc., multiple Rotary Club International Peace Awards, and certificates of appreciation from the Army Corps of Engineers and the American Legion.[4]

Selected for CNN Top 10 Heroes

Razia Jan was honored as one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2012 on September 20, 2012. All the top 10 were nominated by CNN's global audience and received $50,000 to be used toward their humanitarian efforts.[7]

The final result for CNN Heroes Award 2012 award will be announced at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About the Foundation". Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation. Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "And the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2012 are ..". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "The Duxbury Rotary Club has been serving our community since 1950.". Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "Razia Jan- Founder". Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Afghan girls' school founder visits Heidelberg". Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Arzu Studio Hope Team". Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  7. ↑ "An awards show for the selfless". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2012.

External links

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