Dear friends and supporters,
As we enter this holiday season—a time when many gather with loved ones—my heart is with the children in Afghanistan searching for a piece of bread and the families separated from those they love. This year has brought immense hardship, yet I feel both sorrow for the suffering that continues and deep gratitude for your compassion and steadfast support.
Over the past year, Afghanistan has faced compounding crises. Earthquakes have destroyed more than 8,000 homes, the return of 500,000+ Afghan families has placed enormous strain on already fragile communities, and severe drought has left rural families without crops or clean water. Today, 22 million people depend on humanitarian aid, and an estimated 3.5 million children and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women are at risk of acute malnutrition. These realities shape everything we do at AWAKEN.
Our Impact Together in 2025
Because of you, AWAKEN has remained a lifeline for so many families in need amid crisis and we remain one of the only providers of critical health services and emergency relief in our region.
103,650 patients served through our health clinics (84% women & children)
260 healthy newborns delivered in our birthing centers
11,710 women received maternal healthcare
$33,000 in earthquake relief and emergency aid provided to 822 families
46 university scholarships supported
Expanded home-school programs for rural children
Supported entrepreneurs to launch a dental clinic and clothing store, promoting self-sufficiency
Impact Story: Drokhani’s Journey to Self-Reliance
Drokhani, a mother of four, lost her husband while serving in the National Army. With no relatives to support her—only an elderly mother-in-law—she became the sole provider for her children, cleaning homes to survive and begging on days without work.
When AWAKEN learned of her situation, we began providing monthly food packages to relieve the immediate burden. She also enrolled in our tailoring program and quickly learned the skill. Today, Drokhani earns a small but steady income sewing clothes for her children and neighbors—helping her regain dignity and build a more secure future for her family.
Growing Our Impact: New Partnerships
Midwife Training Partnership
In partnership with Friends of Afghanistan and the United Service Foundation, AWAKEN is launching a Midwife Training Program in Jalalabad to equip women with life-saving maternal health skills to serve their communities.
Child Neurological Care Partnership
Through a new partnership with NeuroKids, AWAKEN is expanding neurological care coordination for children in eastern Afghanistan who otherwise lack access to specialized support.
Looking Forward to 2026
Even as costs rise and the U.S. dollar weakens against Afghan currency, AWAKEN continues to stand strong. Thanks to your generosity, our clinics remain open, midwives continue delivering babies safely, and programs reach the most vulnerable families every day. At a time when many organizations have scaled back, AWAKEN remains one of the few providers of free, women-led healthcare and emergency relief in eastern Afghanistan.
In 2026, we will focus on three priorities: maternal and child health, education access for girls and boys, and emergency relief for families in crisis. Our goals include treating 110,000+ patients, delivering 300+ healthy newborns, expanding education to 600+ children, and increasing access to clean water in rural communities.
How Your Gift Makes a Difference
$50 provides food and essentials for a family for one month
$50/month supports a young woman in midwifery training
$100 covers prenatal care and a safe delivery for a mother and baby
At AWAKEN, 98% of every donation goes directly to programs that save lives, educate children, and empower women.
Thank you for your compassion and generosity. Your support keeps clinics open, children learning, and families cared for—even in the most difficult times. We also hope you’ll join us at our Annual Dinner on April 18, 2026—please save the date.
May this holiday season bring you peace, knowing your kindness continues to bring light and hope to families in Afghanistan.
With deepest gratitude,
Bibi Bahrami
Founder & President, AWAKEN
