Mahboba Rawi Mahboba's Promise Interview

Mahboba Rawi Mahboba's Promise Interview

Mahboba Rawi came to Australia as a refugee from Afghanistan and is now an Australian citizen. After facing many hardships in her own life, she founded Mahboba's Promise in 1998 to raise funds and awareness among the Australian community as a way to create a sustainable, self-sufficient future for Afghani women and children.

Since Mahboba's Promise was established, Mahboba's determination to work has seen a number of schools started for young girls, primary health care services set up in rural areas and clean drinking water provisions introduced to various areas of Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan there are many children who don't have parents. Mahboba's Promise operates 3 'Hope Houses" located in Kabul, Panjshir Valley and Takhar. The centres serve as a place for street kids and orphans to live in safety. During the day, they go to school as well as receive supplementary tuition at Hope House to improve their educational outcomes.

Despite her own personal challenges, Mahboba's passion for influencing long term change among the lives of women and children in Afghanistan is unparalleled.

Mahboba has established strong relationships with a variety of high profile influential people in Australia such as Governor General Quentin Bryce, Governor of NSW Marie Bashir, various members of parliament, philanthropists, community organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations. These relationships have been paramount to the continued success of Mahboba's Promise.

Governor Quentin Bryce became a Patron of Mahboba's Promise in 2011, showing her support for Mahboba's efforts in raising the standards for women and children in Afghanistan. With Quentin Bryce's support, Mahboba has continued to implement further vocational programs and opportunities in Afghanistan such as building libraries for Afghani students.

Mahboba's achievements were recognised in 2010, when she received the Order of Australia Medal for service to international humanitarian aid in Afghanistan - a sign that Mahboba's influence, her programs of development and dedication were making a tangible difference in the Afghan community.

Give A Gift That Gives With Mahboba's Promise

Mahboba Rawi - Mahboba is an Afghani refugee who arrived in Australia after escaping Russian invasion via a Pakistan refugee camp in the late 1980's. In 1992, further tragedy touched her life when she lost her son in a drowning accident at Kiama's blowhole. Despite her own personal hardship, Mahboba began to raise money among the Australian community for the plight of Afgani orphans living in refugee camps. Mahboba's work also extends to the Australian community where she helps many women at risk from domestic or sexual abuse.

Give your mum the gift of giving this Mother's Day by donating to not-for-profit organisation, Mahboba's Promise with a -Gift that Gives' card. Mahboba's Promise aims to provide effective overseas development aid to disadvantaged Afghan women, widows, children and orphans. Your donation of $10 can give the gift of school shoes, $50 gives an English course, $100 for a permaculture pack will provide a widow in Afghanistan with seeds, tools and training so she can grow vegetables and herbs.

For more -Gift that Gives' options and to donate, visit www.mahbobaspromise.org

Interview with Mahboba Rawi

Question: What inspired you to start Mahboba's Promise?

Mahboba Rawi: A letter from a young Afghani doctor (Dr Nasrin) begging for help to save refugee orphans on the streets of Kabul changed my life and marked the beginning of Mahboba's Promise. My friends and I were able to raise $120 that day. I told some friends and other women attending English classes and they put they were able to donate then and there. To prove they received the money, the young doctor sent back a letter with the fingerprints of the children who he had helped with the money we raised. That did it! I knew I had to do more. Soon after I became 'mother' to 35 children, supporting them single-handedly through my own fundraising.

Question: What is Mahboba's Promise?

Mahboba Rawi: Mahboba's Promise is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to provide aid overseas to disadvantaged Afghan women, widows, children and orphans. We achieve this through sustainable development programs such as the establishment of schools, health clinics and community facilities designed to be operated by local authorities and communities. We also extend support to women in need in the Australian community eg escaping violence and abuse.


Question: What work has Mahboba's Promise already achieved?

Mahboba Rawi: To date, Mahboba's Promise has set up a school where more than 200 young girls have access to education, a primary health care clinic, an orphanage and a community centre where widows and children can learn life skills, literacy and vocational training. Many of the facilities that have been developed in Afghanistan are run by the local communities.


Question: What do you hope to achieve with Mahboba's Promise in 2014?

Mahboba Rawi: We want to raise the profile of Mahboba's Promise and encourage donations so we can continue to support those in need. Sometimes we have to turn women away from Hope House because we don't have the resources to support them which breaks my heart. It's my dream to be able to support as many women and children as I can. We need more people to get involved and help.


Question: How does Mahboba's Promise help the Australian community, also?

Mahboba Rawi: We also extend support to the Australian community by helping women at risk of domestic or sexual abuse. We provide these women a safe environment, opportunities for employment and access to support services to help them build a safe, secure and self-sufficient future.


Question: Why was it important for you to help Australian women at risk from domestic or sexual abuse?
Mahboba Rawi: Since I've been living in Australia I've found myself in a position where I've met women that needed my help. I myself have experienced hardships in life so I want to help others in the same position.


Question: Can you tell us about the Hope Houses Mahboba's Promise operates?

Mahboba Rawi: Afghanistan has experienced war for years and most people are still suffering from grief and poverty. Most of the children at Hope House have faced very sad circumstances. Some of them have been rescued from a refugee tent city, others from the streets and some have been injured by land mines. Instead of attending school and setting themselves up for the future, many work full time. Hope House provides a haven for children to recover and rebuild their lives by providing food, clothing, education and a place to call home.


Question: How did it feel to be awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to international humanitarian aid in Afghanistan? How has this helped gain awareness for Mahboba's Promise?

Mahboba Rawi: I was truly honoured to be awarded the Order of Australia Medal. It's helped me to raise awareness about Mahboba's Promise, and be able to meet and speak with many people who I otherwise would not have met. My work still isn't done, I hope to continue to support those in need by further raising the profile of the charity.


Question: How can Australians support Mahboba's Promise?

Mahboba Rawi: Mahboba's Promise survives on kind donations. Without this, we can't provide women and children under our care with the support they need. To learn more about Mahboba's Promise or to show your support for Mahboba's Promise initiatives, visit www.mahbobaspromise.org.


Interview by Brooke Hunter