Since the war broke out in Ukraine, millions of euros have been raised and an enormous number of shelters have been made available for refugees in a short period of time. Very beautiful, thinks Malolay van As from Afghanistan. “But it also touches me, because everyone in need deserves such great help.” To draw attention to the situation in her native country, Malolay and two others are organizing a benefit dinner in Eindhoven. This raises money for people in famine.
Malolay was born in Afghanistan and has been organizing campaigns for years to raise money for people in her native country. “The situation there has been very serious for years. There is a lot of poverty. People have no food, children beg on the street and people sell their organs to get money.”
She hopes to get money and also some more attention for the people there. But that is difficult. “The amount that we are raising cannot be compared with the millions of euros that have been raised for Ukraine, but every little bit is a bonus.”
Malolay thinks that there is so much money and attention for the war in Ukraine. She hopes that could also happen for Afghanistan. “War is war, so the fact that something good has been arranged for the people of Ukraine, I am very proud of that. The people of Ukraine also need our help. At the same time, it touches me. I hope we don’t forget Afghanistan , because everyone in need deserves such beautiful help.”
Malolay says he understands that there is more attention for Ukraine than Afghanistan. “Ukraine is much closer, so that can also affect the Netherlands. You are more concerned about that.”
At the same time, it feels a bit like a blow, says Malolay. “There are also many people in need in Afghanistan, so that’s why I draw attention to that. I, but also various foundations, have tried more often to set up an action for Afghanistan via Giro555, but that was not allowed because it is only intended for ” exceptional disasters’. That does something to you.”
Malolay is organizing a benefit dinner on March 14 and 22 together with Joerie Messelink and Hesso Fatah in the Bamiyan Restaurant in Eindhoven. With the money of one person who comes to eat, a family in Afghanistan can be helped for a month. “We then help them to earn money independently. For example, we have set up a bakery with people there, who now earn their own money,” says Malolay.
A cook cooks a three-course dinner for everyone. Several people come for dinner that evening, including people who have also fled Afghanistan. There is still space on March 22.