Ascend in Afghanistan
Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics
Evacuation from Afghanistan
Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics
From 2014-2021, Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics offered training and educational programmes in Afghanistan to almost 300 young women and girls from the long persecuted Hazara community. These young women, already in second and third level education or pursuing careers, were involved in many activities including mountain climbing, athletics, yoga, leadership and community service. A new generation of female leaders for Afghan society was emerging – but only to be abruptly blocked. The return to power of the Taliban in August 2021 dashed all prospects of education, career or meaningful activity outside the home for women. The Ascend participants were visible as exceptional women and were in great personal danger of extreme victimisation.
Evacuation from Afghanistan
Ascend offered evacuation to almost 200 participants who had to endure the heartbreak and trauma of leaving their family and friends. Reaching safe haven in transit countries took weeks of enormous effort and hardship. After months in transit camps in Qatar and Abu Dhabi final refuge was resourced in Ireland, Chile, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Canada and the US. In Ireland a group of local volunteers – Friends of Ascend – came together to support the refugees through the initial years of settlement in their new country. In November 2021, Friends of Ascend welcomed 18 young women and girls (the youngest only 12) and two male companions. The enormous task of providing for the new lives of 20 young Afghans in Ireland was underway.
