Became Heinzer Today!!!
CRYSTAL BAYAT
Since the Taliban’s brutal takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, even the word “August” has become difficult for me to say.
Every time I see it on my calendar, a deep, overwhelming pain surges through me, bringing back haunting memories of that dark time.
It’s a month that marks not just the passage of time, but the suffocation of dreams and the entombment of countless women and girls who now live in fear and despair.
August 15th will forever be etched in my heart as the day our hopes for a free and vibrant Afghanistan were shattered, the day an entire generation’s future was stolen.
Over the past three years, I’ve carried this weight with me, feeling the responsibility to fight against the narratives that seek to erase our struggles and silence our voices.
I refused to relive the joys of student life when I first arrived in the U.S., because I couldn’t ignore the pain of my people back home. But today, after years of perseverance, I’ve earned a Fulbright Scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University .
This opportunity is not just for me—it’s a chance to be a stronger voice for the women and girls who are still fighting to survive under oppression, to keep their hope alive in the face of unimaginable darkness.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to my dear friends—Alexandra Hiniker, Lee Rech, Marie Coleman and David Eber —who have stood by me in every step of this journey. Their unwavering support has been a source of strength for me.
A special thank you to Lee Rech for taking on the responsibility of @HopeForHerInternational , allowing me to focus on my studies and the work that still needs to be done. Together, I believe we can keep the flame of hope burning, for a future where Afghanistan is once again free, democratic, and full of life.
20-08-2024
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