**This is an email that was sent out on August 15, 2021.
Our Hope To Continue in Kabul
Dear Friends,
As you know, the situation in Afghanistan this week has been extremely shocking, and today in Kabul everything shifted dramatically. We wanted to briefly update you regarding the Garden of Flowers team and children. We have been in touch with them regularly during this time, and this morning we received a message:
This morning (Sunday) the children and staff came to school as usual. Around noon was when the news came of the encroaching actions of the Taliban in Kabul. The staff then immediately called all the parents to come and pick up their children, and the staff left to go home. They will keep the school closed for at least one week until everyone has a clearer sense of what is happening. Everyone is safe at home for now.
MEPO’s work in Afghanistan began during the Taliban time in the year 2000, helping people in refugee camps and running homeschools and clinics. We profoundly hope that the situation will not deteriorate to that level again, but if it does, we will be ready. While we all are shocked by this cruel situation, we must accept the fact that a new chapter is beginning, and once we understand the situation better we will know if we can continue the work of our Montessori preschool or if the work will have to take a different form. This is the time when Afghans need more help, not to turn our backs on them and leave.
Depending on the situation in coming days, we at MEPO are hoping to organize some aid (food, supplies, etc) for some of the thousands of displaced families who are now in Kabul.
If you are interested in donating specifically for that, please let us know, or earmark your donation for Afghan Aid.
It was almost exactly one year ago that we opened the Garden of Flowers after covid caused the House of Flowers to close. Thank you to all of you who have been donating over this first year of the Montessori Garden of Flowers, helping it become such a success. Over 30 young children have been thriving as a result. With love and courage, hopefully this work can continue in the future.
Right now, the safety of our staff and the children is the main concern. We will be in contact with them as much as is possible and will keep you posted as well. We’ll put news on our website.
Thank you for your solidarity.
—Allison and Mostafa and the MEPO team