AINA – Empowering the People of Afghanistan
I’m constantly in awe of all the new ideas and directions I encounter on a weekly basis. Every time I think I’ve discovered what I want to do “when I grow up,” I’m faced with something I’d never considered before. The biggest plus of being a student again is that I can dabble in a lot in hopes of figuring something else. But for now, instead of figuring out one thing, I figure I’ll just do it all.
Last week I found myself sitting in an incredibly inspiring lecture by Iranian-born photographer and photojournalist, Reza. His stunning photographs have appeared all over the pages of National Geographic. However, today most of his time and energy goes to AINA, a non-profit based in Afghanistan in 2001. Based on the idea that when help – doctors, nurses – go in to help a [war torn] country, they often leave when the tanks leave. So Reza has created a new generation of humanitarian aid – one that uses education, communication, information and technology to create a sustainable model for development and empower the people of Afghanistan. The organization was started in Afghanistan with the idea that if this model for change can work here, it can work anywhere. Throughout the country media [training] centers – focusing on journalism, photography, film and design – have been set up to help train the people of Afghanistan how to use these tools to make themselves have a voice and be heard. The results are already showing, from radio programing to printed materials (with a large focus on [street] children) and a documentary filmed and produced by women in the country received an Emmy nod in 2005. The goal in use of technology is two fold – not only proving that the third world deserves what the first world has, but, more importantly, the ability to use it as a tool to help combat the problem of literacy.
For the next month, I’m excited to be part of a team working in competition to develop a marketing strategy to help take AINA to the next level, get appropriate funding and word out about the organization and their mission. I invite you to share an ideas, inspiration, resources and models below. Thank you in advance![Top image by Reza; bottom 3 images by Maryam of MyMarrakesh, who recently shared powerful images and tales of her recent trip to Afghanistan – don’t you feel you get a sense of the place that is blurred by the news media? – this post is will give you chills.]
Lady Ren
February 2, 2010 at 2:20 pm //
Wow, that first photo will be in my mind for a long time.
What I great project- I will research this and brainstorm ideas-
Ren
Ladyofthearts.blogspot.com
Prêt à Voyager
February 2, 2010 at 2:24 pm //
thanks, ren :) our group is starting to brainstorm tomorrow…
anne
Janet
February 2, 2010 at 6:58 pm //
Beautiful, beautiful people.
Lindsey
February 2, 2010 at 7:32 pm //
This reminds of the post I did about AINA, I used the same first photo!! So glad you’re involved!
annamatic
February 3, 2010 at 3:07 am //
Hi Anne,
I found Kristof’s article about inspiring people to action via journalism to have a lot of helpful insights:
http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/200912/nicholas-kristof-philanthropy-advice-1.html
At the heart of it, I do believe that most people are good and want to do the right thing, but just don’t have time or lots of money. So the usual rules of marketing probably apply: unique benefits, clear call to action, a timeframe, and an easy and fast way to follow through. The evolution of philanthropy marketing in the age of Twitter/Facebook/cell phones is going to be really interesting to watch…
Good luck with your AINA brainstorming!
Lady Ren
February 3, 2010 at 4:38 am //
Pls keep us posted about your brainstorming!
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