One of Boston University’s many student service organizations, Mishaal (“beacon” in Arabic) dedicates their efforts to improving educational access throughout South Asia. In the 2011-2012 school year, Mishaal hosted three major events and acquired thousands of dollars. Over one thousand dollars were raised for Associations for India’s Development (AID) at last year’s “Do It to the Music” fundraiser; over six hundred dollars were raised for Nanhi Kali’s Boston Chapter at Mishaal’s “Bollywood Nights”; BU’s Students Against Human Trafficking (SAHT) and Mishaal collaborated to raise over six thousand dollars for Somaly Mam Foundation and Trust to Reach the Unreached (TRU) at “Race for Her”. This year’s event, “Empowering the Forgotten” will be an effort to raise $20,000 that will benefit the Pakistan-based organization, Hoshyar Foundation. The fundraiser will be at 6:30 PM on Saturday, November 17th in the Metcalf Auditorium (775 Commonwealth Avenue).
The Hoshyar Foundation is currently raising funds to build a school in honor of Malala Yousafzai, the fourteen-year-old Pakistani human rights and education activist. Malala is in critical condition as a result of an October 9th Taliban attack. According to Hoshyar’s video on their website, the Taliban prohibited Swat, Pakistan girls from attending school early 2009. With just seventy-five dollars of Hoshyar funds, over two thousand Swat girls have been provided an education since this prohibition. Their current mission is to raise thirty thousand dollars to build Malala Yousafzai Girls’ Secondary School. When you do the math, Mishaal hopes to raise two-thirds of Hoshyar’s desired goal.
During Mishaal’s “Empowering the Forgotten” reception, tribal rugs handmade in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be up for auction, raffles will take place, and South Asian appetizers will be available to satisfy your taste buds. At 7:30, performances will commence with many a capella groups (Dear Abbeys, anyone?) and dance teams (BU Bhangra!). BU students will be able to purchase tickets in advance for $10 at the GSU link on November 12-16, or for $15 at the event.
Is there any better way to donate to a cause that seeks to empower young women via education? I don’t think so. See you there, BU!
Join the event on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/429002287163723//
Donate to Hoshyar, directly, here:
http://www.hoshyar.org/donate.php
Image Source: Mishaal BU
Sources:
Bhimdi, Safa. “Fundraiser Press Release – Mishaal BU.” Fundraiser Press Release – Mishaal BU. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. <Fazl-e-Haider, Syed. “Malala Has Won.” Nytimes.com. New York Times, 11 Oct. 2012. Web. <“Former Events – Mishaal BU.” Former Events – Mishaal BU. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <Honoring Malala Yousafzai. www.hoshyar.org. Hoshyar Foundation, 2012. Web.
Michael, Lauren. “Race For Her Unites Running and Activism.” The Quad. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <