New Canaan's Blossom Hill Supporting Afghanistan

Blossom Hill Supporting Afghanistan 

The precipitous fall of Afghanistan and the ensuing refugee crisis has sparked one of the world’s fastest growing humanitarian crisis. For Blossom Hill, a non-profit organization in New Canaan dedicated to implementing innovative education programs for refugee children and youth worldwide, the impacts were felt overnight.

“Our programs were shut down immediately” said Shiva Sarram, Blossom Hill’s Founder/Executive Director and resident of New Canaan. “Our Fellows on the ground and their beneficiaries hunkered down at home with their windows shuttered, terrified. Some went into hiding and others are on the move. But we remain committed to the people of Afghanistan and will support them in any way that we can. Pending Taliban regulations, we will continue remotely serving our students when it is safe to do so.”

Blossom Hill has been implementing programs in education, childhood development and vocational training for the last 12 years, benefitting over 80,000 refugee children and youth worldwide. Currently, it runs 15 programs in ten countries, including three in Afghanistan. One of these programs is the first coding school for girls in the country. To date, more than 250 young Afghan girls have learned how to code, build mobile apps and games, earn above-average wages, and begin a path to self-sufficiency in a country where 78 percent of women are unemployed.

“Our students were earning up to $30 an hour in the global gig economy all in a country where the typical monthly income is equivalent to $150 a month,” said Sarram. “By empowering them with the latest technology skills so they could earn an income, this also meant they avoided early marriage. With the Taliban takeover, we want to make sure this progress is not lost.” Sarram is hopeful that the program will continue and was heartened to learn that numerous tech companies have already offered not only their curriculum, mentorship, and degree for free but remote jobs as well.

Outside Afghanistan, the organization implements numerous programs including a few in Greece that are currently benefitting Afghan refugee children. These include a STEM education program that has been accredited by the Greek Ministry of Education and is being used by larger NGOs and an orchestra program for school-age children to help them integrate into their new country. And with most unaccompanied minors coming from Afghanistan, a vocational training program teaches them skills to earn productive livelihoods and begin a new life.

“The deadly combination of new and protracted conflicts, COVID-19, and climate change is exacerbating the global refugee crisis,” said Sarram. “When you consider that the

average displacement for a refugee is 17 years, it becomes clear that without targeted intervention, millions of refugee children will be missing out on education and a chance for a better future. And in an Afghanistan under Taliban rule, our programs are going to be even more critical.”

Blossom Hill is urgently working to raise funds for this crisis as well as its current programs.

“We foresee and anticipate the need to fund our programs in Afghanistan in the hope that they can go online. But we are also raising money to double down on support in food supplies, technology services and other needs as they arise for Afghan refugees displaced within their own country or outside.”

If you would like to support our efforts, please consider a direct donation to our Afghanistan Emergency Relief Fund, our overall work, or donate an item for our auction this November.