In August of 2015 I took part in a groundbreaking project, where a team of Afghan girls were the first to be climbing mountains in their home country. The project was organized by the nonprofit organization Ascend: Leadership through Athletics. It was the beginning of a movement aimed at empowering young Afghan girls. Today, it has evolved into a two-year mountaineering based training program where each year, a new team of Afghan girls are recruited. It is an intensive mountaineering focused leadership program designed to develop young Afghan girls into leaders and help them rise above gender inequality. 

In a country consistently ranked the most dangerous country for women in the world, this program empowers young Afghan women to fight back and rise above the challenges they face in everyday life. The Ascend team is breaking down barriers, thanks to the hard work of the girls, a team of international volunteers, and support from donors.

Five mountaineering expeditions are planned each year for the team of young women. The instructor pool draws from North America, Europe and now Afghan women are also being trained to run the programs. I've been drawn to return since my trip in 2015, to help in the best capacity I can, by bringing these girls into the most inspiring and empowering environment I know. Ascend relies heavily on volunteers to keep the program going. The next mountaineering program is planned for May 2020 which still need volunteer instructors. The cost of travel for me to go there is about $3000 CAD, and no funds are available to cover the travel costs of volunteers so I am reaching out to you for some help. Your donation will allow me to travel to Afghanistan and provide my time, energy and experience and work with the Ascend team to make the experience more impactful for the participants.

Please see the links below and join the #girlsarealsostrong movement organized by Ascend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a5XRYG0haI 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRc0AI-8r1g

And here is a link to the HBO Vice documentary that was filmed in 2015 during Ascends first mountaineering program. "Ascending Afghanistan -Rising Women

https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/vice-impact-ascending-afghanistan-rising-women/587674bff0d3f0d206a3cec6 

Thans for taking the time to read this, and please share with anyone that may be interested in supporting this cause.

All the best, 

Emelie