Little woman helps the needy in Afghanistan

Alaina Podmorow is a humanitarian. That in itself is a commendable thing to be, but when you consider she is only ten years old and has already started her own charity organization, it becomes an inspirational story.

Last September, Podmorow founded the first chapter of Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan, a daughter organization to the national Women for Women in Afghanistan group.

As the name of Podmorow's organization suggests, it's all about girls helping girls in the war torn country of Afghanistan. Podmorow's mission is to raise funding to hire teachers to educate young girls in Afghanistan to improve their way of life.

She recalls becoming inspired last fall after attending a seminar at the Creekside Theatre where a humanitarian activist, documentary filmmaker and award-winning journalist by the name of Sally Armstrong made a presentation. In particular she discussed the hardships endured by women of all ages in Afghanistan.

"I found out how little girls in Afghanistan were being treated and I wanted to do something about it," says Podmorow.
After her talk, Armstrong opened the discussion up to the floor with a question and answer period. Her inquisitive audience was quick to ask what could be done to help. Understanding that many people feel powerless in their ability to make a difference in this world, she responded by telling them that if they try they can cause positive changes to occur, both for themselves and other people.

The one message that stood out for Podmorow in particular was when Armstrong said the worst thing people can do is do nothing. This way of thinking seems to have rubbed off, as Little Women for Little Women's main credo is that anyone can make a difference if they're willing to put in the work.

On average, a teacher in Afghanistan makes $750 per year and Podmorow originally set herself a goal to raise enough money to hire one teacher. The Davidson Rd. Elementary student started off by collecting recycling and selling doughnuts, but soon discovered it would take ages before she could reach this target.

Last fall, she teamed up with the Lake Country Rotary Club and together they hosted a potluck dinner and auction in the community and managed to raise enough money to hire four teachers.

Podmorow's efforts have received considerable attention in the media of late. In the last few weeks, the grade 4 student has been featured on CBC radio, CHBC, Canada AM and in an article in The Province newspaper.

Perhaps a little overwhelmed by the coverage Little Women has received, she admits, "It makes me nervous, but I'm glad the word is getting out there to people."

Word does indeed seem to be spreading as young girls in Canada and abroad seem to be supporting the movement. After hearing one of the news reports, a grandmother in New Brunswick has convinced her granddaughter to look at opening a chapter on the east coast. Podmorow has also been in contact with another girl from Australia to discuss the possibility of having a chapter there.

She is currently working on developing the Little Women chapter in Lake Country and another in Kelowna is in the works. So far, Podmorow has been meeting in her Davidson Road Elementary classroom with her teacher and about 15 other schoolmates ranging from grades 4-7.

Their first official meeting will be March 30 and one of Podmorow's first goals will be to start planning another fundraiser to be held sometime this fall. Titled 'A Night Out With Little Women,' she anticipates the event will comprise a silent auction, performances and refreshments, all of which will be carried out by the Little Women.
She is also attending meetings with the newly formed Okanagan Chapter of the parent Canadian Women for Women group and is receiving substantial support from them. She has started a letter writing campaign requesting mothers and daughters to join both movements.

However, humanitarian causes aside, Podmorow is just like any other grade four kid. She is an avid soccer player and enjoys taking dance lessons.

Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan is a volunteer solidarity network founded in 1996. There are now fourteen volunteer chapters and affiliated groups working across Canada to support rights and opportunities for Afghan women and girls. For more information on this organization and on Podmorow's Little Women group, visit www.w4wafghan.ca. To contact Podmorow directly, email lw4lw@telus.net.

Too often it is assumed that individuals can't change the world on their own. Alaina Podmorow is an individual, a ten-year-old child to be precise, and she is proving just how wrong that assumption can be.

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