Project Raha Gala
On 8 November, 2023 Sisters of Service traveled back to New York City for the Project Raha Gala. The gala was a time of celebration and a chance for everyone who helped make the project possible to share what Project Raha means to them.
Fireside Chat
Surrounded by art and supporters of Project Raha, Sisters of Service co-founders Ruthie Zargan and Malia Carson hosted a fireside chat with two of their Afghan sisters, Mahnaz Akbari and Hawa Haidari.
Zargan opened by explaining the history and background of the Cultural Support Teams, the Afghan Female Tactical Platoon, the evacuations from Afghanistan and the creation of Sisters of Service.
“I don’t know how we did it,” said Zargan. “But knowing the FTPs are no longer in danger… makes those sleepless days and nights worth it. When I left Afghanistan, I took pictures with each FTP because I thought that would be the only way to see and remember my time with them. I never thought I would see them in person again. So to be able to see them, talk with them, hug them, and have them meet my friends and family is still so surreal.”
The women reflected on the past 2 years of accomplishments and challenges to bring awareness not only to the art but the stories behind the art.
Carson and Haidari both remembered their fallen sister Majee as they shared stories from their deployment. Hadari recalled being called into her bosses office for “giggling too much during training” with Majee because they loved their job and were happy to be together.
Carson remembered her first trip to the Afghan Female Training camp.
“I had been running around in the desert of Helmand Province, doing cool guy ops with a bunch of MARSOC degenerates and decided to take a break to support the Expert Soldier Badge,” said Carson. “Being in my peak fitness state, I volunteered to lead the six mile ruck with low expectations falling into the stereotypical belief that Afghan women are meek. Majhabin completely humbled me, gracefully jogging the sandy, bumpy trails with fellow female soldiers close behind. Majee easily beat the standard, all the while chatting about how she joined the military to support her family, giggling about how the Rangers pulling security were cute, preparing me for the henna party we would have post ruck, and humbly bragging about all the times she challenged her male peers to races… she reassured me she beat them too. Majhabin radiated strength and resiliency from the second you met her, a fitting personality to her name which means radiant and powerful like the moon.”
On the eighth floor of the gallery surrounded by the night lights of busy Manhattan, a moon series art piece in honor of Majee overlooked the gala. Majee’s spirit remains core to Sisters of Service and lives on through inspiration like Project Raha. Art has enabled both the Afghan women and the American female Veterans to tell stories that are too difficult to put into words.
The relationships they created with those who serve was at the forefront of everyone’s mind as they shared stores about what they learned through project Raha and what they look forward to in the future.
“This sisterhood connects us to so many amazing women. All of them who raised their right hand to serve a purpose bigger than themselves,” said Zargan. “One of those women being Jen Hassin, who were were connected with through Command Purpose and the veteran community. Jen served with the Air Force before finding her talent and love for art. She poured her time, energy, heart and soul into this project and helped the FTPs not only create beautiful art, but provided them with the space to heal and release trauma.”
The chat ended with a call to action.
“Since the FTP’s arrived in the U.S. about two years ago, there has not been a single day that I wake up and not ask myself how I can be doing more to help support them,” reflected Zargan. “Walking with them on this evacuation and resettlement journey has been emotional, rewarding at times, but also eye- opening to the challenges.”
Right now one of the ways you can help is to purchase the art. The auction has ended, but Jen Hassin is still selling some of the pieces. If you’re interested contact Jen!
Sisters Of Service in the News
CBS News correspondent Christina Ruffini interviewed Nazdana Hassani and Mahnaz Akbari to not only bring light to the inspirational work they have done as a part of Project Raha, but also to tell their story- honoring them for Veterans Day.
Akbari and Hassani’s harrowing evacuation from Afghanistan is just the beginning of their story in the United States. Since arriving in the U.S. both women have been navigating moving to a new country, applying for jobs, building a community and finding purpose.
Project Raha was a way for the Afghan women to share their story through a new medium. Most importantly Project Raha provides an opportunity to be able to shape their future stories. This project shows the power of community and strength in coming together to make something new and beautiful. Much like the art they created, as the women build their lives in America they will bring with them parts of their lives from Afghanistan, mixed with new experiences, and challenges, to again create something beautiful.
Akbari’s relationship with Americans started as they fought side by side conducting raids in Afghanistan. ” I conducted over 150 night raids,” said Akbari. Today Akbari is still fighting alongside Americans but she is fighting a new type of battle- working to assist in the resettlement process. She is currently working with Pen Fed helping with finances, but has aspirations to work in international humanitarian aid.
Hassani told correspondent Ruffini that it was difficult to convince her family to allow her to join the military- but rebuilding a life in the U.S. has been its own challenge. Hassani is currently working in a shipping warehouse. She dreams of joining the military or to find a job in IT.
If you would like to help these Afghan women find connections so they can start pathways to their dream jobs please contact us!
