Less than two years later, the post-911 bombing raids on the terrorists’ hideouts in Afghanistan reminded me of our conversations about returning there. A three-month summer sabbatical in 2002 gave me the opportunity to go back to Afghanistan on behalf of both of us. I served as a volunteer Education Programs adviser for International Rescue Committee.

During the subsequent two years, I found myself split between professional obligations in Afghanistan and my responsibilities as an academic dean at South Seattle Community College. The breadth and depth of need in Afghanistan for education in all areas kept drawing me back to that country. The more bombed out schools that I saw and the more teachers and professors without books or teaching materials whom I met, the more I realized that my expertise would allow me to make a difference in that country.

Nine years after my first trip back to Afghanistan, I am still working on education and training programs in that country. In addition to my paid employment, I have volunteered on projects to develop women’s literacy programs and build girls’ schools that are supported by International Rotary and local Rotary clubs (including Seattle Emerald City Rotary Club) and that are implemented by an Afghan Non-Government Organization called AHDO (Agriculture, Health and Development Organization). Through that work, Ayni founder Julia Bolz and I connected. We share the beliefs that cultural understanding is fundamental to peace in the world, that the education of women and girls is a key element in community stability and peace in Afghanistan and that education programs can only be sustained if they are developed in partnership with Afghans who have the expertise and commitment to keep them going.

Ayni Education International was formed to support, manage and further develop projects that Julie Bolz started in the United States and in Afghanistan. The vision, expertise and dedication of Ayni Board members and Executive Director Ginna Brelsford ensures that the important work we do on both continents will contribute to a broader understanding of each other’s cultures and better security.

Leslie Whittington, Charlie Falkenberg and children Zoe and Dana Remembered

A year later, we wanted to honor their memory in some way. At the same time, the war in Afghanistan was constantly in the news, yet most Americans, including us, had not been asked to contribute to the effort in any significant way. We believed it was in our country’s best interest to help the people of Afghanistan, and felt a moral obligation to do so.

Years ago, Leslie and I had conducted economic research on the important role that women play in economic development. A long line of research has now clearly established the importance of better education for women to the success of economic development. Recently, Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl Wudunn have eloquently demonstrated why, via a series of powerful stories in their book, Half the Sky.

Supporting education opportunities for girls in Afghanistan was the obvious way to honor our friends. But finding a way to do that, with assurance that our support would be used well, turned out to be very challenging. With friends, we sought out NGOs that were working with leaders of local communities in Afghanistan to develop self-sustaining schools for girls as well as for boys—ones that might connect us with a community in Afghanistan, tell us about the support the community needed, and provide regular progress reports. That quest led us to Ayni founder Julie Bolz. Thanks to Julie and Ayni’s partner, the Afghanistan-American Friendship Foundation, we have been supporting a community school in Afghanistan for four years. In 2010, I was delighted to accept Julie’s invitation to join Ayni’s Board.

Deterioration in security in Afghanistan and the planned pullout of U.S. troops are challenging for Ayni’s efforts, but have also increased their importance. To Julie’s great credit and that of our partner, our support continues to be welcomed by community leaders, and we are confident that it is well used. We think the stability and prosperity of that country, and the security of our own, depend on it.