Benefit gala for Afghan children, widows next week

WASHINGTON (PAN): Indian ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao will host a benefit gala next week here for children and widows being supported by the Nooristan Foundation, organisers said Thursday.

Marie Kux, the not-for-profit organization president, said the event would take place at Rao’s residence on October 24 and would feature live auctions of artwork by eminent artists.

Prominent among the artworks include a striking sculpture by Elizabeth Freire, whose works are showcased in Brazilian museums and private collections in the US.

Others are a lovely botanical by Mary Page Hickey, who won the Garden Club of America’s horticultural arts award; a beautiful drawing by Charles Ritchie, whose works are found in the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a charming view of the Potomac by well-known Washington artist Jean Schwartz.

“Nooristan Foundation supports education because job creation is the key to peace and development,” said Mariam Atash Nawabi, the foundation vice president.

“Afghans progress very quickly when given an opportunity to build their knowledge and skills. We are happy that the Indian Ambassador is supporting the foundation’s efforts and hope that the interest in the US to help Afghans continues after the 2014 transition,” Nawabi said.

Leonie Industries this year has donated $5,000 to Nooristan Foundation as a Bronze Sponsor of this year’s “Evening of Hope” Benefit. 

This year, Kux said Nooristan Foundation has started working with Global Rights, a human rights NGO, committed to increasing access to the justice system for the most vulnerable elements of Afghan society.

“We have been participating in their Legal Rights program that primarily helps women and children. In the first six months of 2013, the program provided advice to 1009 individuals and legal representation in 184 court cases,” she said.

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