Earlier this year, two women arrived in Canada. They had been students once bright, hopeful, full of plans. They had found in each other something they had to keep hidden to survive. When that was no longer possible, they ran. The journey that followed was long, uncertain, and at times terrifying. There were moments when the pathway forward was not clear, when the systems meant to help them could not, when the outcome was genuinely unknown.

As we come to the end of the year, I want to express my sincere gratitude to you, our supporters, partners and community. Your trust in Aman Lara and your decision to stand with us, even in the face of extraordinary risk and displacement, have meant everything in a year marked by profound humanitarian need.

As the 16 Days of Activism begin, from Afghanistan to Sudan to Myanmar and countless other places where gender-based violence is spoken about in fear and survivors are silenced, we stand with all the victims and survivors.

In a world plagued by economic, social, and environmental crises, small humanitarian organizations are the bridge between good intentions and real impact. Their agility and human connection often mean the difference between delay and decisive action — between despair and hope.

August 15th marks a grim anniversary — four years since the fall of Kabul and the return of the Taliban to power. There is no reason to celebrate. But there are countless reasons to reflect, and to reaffirm our commitment to the values we claimed to defend

Think about the life of a refugee in the current world order. What comes to mind?

As Canada continues to welcome record numbers of immigrants, a pressing question is emerging: Are we doing enough to help them stay in the country?

Imagine a brother and sister, separated as children by the very violence that has defined the experience of a historically marginalized ethnic group in Afghanistan.

Aman Lara's Resources Hub plays a key role in resettlement by pointing you toward tools, resources, and services that can help you acclimate to life in Canada.

As 2024 comes to a close, I reflect on the incredible progress, resilience, and hope that defined this year for Aman Lara. The past twelve months have highlighted the strength of collaboration, the power of advocacy, and the enduring resilience of those we serve.

At Aman Lara, we are dedicated to empowering refugees and newcomers with the resources and guidance they need to navigate their pathway to Canadian citizenship and integrate fully into their new communities.

Aman Lara’s evolving strategy emphasizes shifting the refugee resettlement /settlement paradigm beyond conventional humanitarian aid to one that prioritizes personal agency, self-sufficiency, and economic inclusion.

In June of this past year, in Kabul, I experienced a chilling encounter with the vice and virtue police, who were clad in white overcoats reminiscent of doctors. They scrutinized me from head to toe.

As summer fades and autumn's crisp embrace, a sense of reflection and renewal begins. During my summer vacation,  I found inspiration through two profoundly moving novels, The Swallows of Kabul and The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

I will never forget the sound of her voice—a young Afghan girl, no older than 15, screaming in desperation to American soldiers, "The Taliban are coming for me."

In August 2021, the Shah family faced the unsettling impact of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, disrupting the educational journey of their two eldest daughters.