HOPE IN ACTION: A Tribute to Michelle Lang

Michelle Lang began her journey to Afghanistan with hope. She wanted to tell some good news stories and to write about the courageous Afghans in their on-going struggle to bring education to their communities. She expressed her own belief, which is shared by many Afghans and Canadians alike, that education is the true hope for the future. Michelle represented this hope in action.

On December 1st days before her departure to Afghanistan, she met with Janice Eisenhauer, founder and executive director of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan.ca). After discovering the web site of CW4WAfghan and learning that the charity was located in Calgary, Michelle immediately connected to explore her ideas. She explained that while her work would be focused in Kandahar for six weeks largely to cover the Canadian military activities, she was also very anxious to share stories about the everyday lives of the Afghan people

Michelle and Janice talked about the Afghan village schools, libraries, literacy programs, and teacher training that CW4WAfghan is supporting. She was shocked to learn about the lack of school textbooks for students in Afghanistan and how she might be able to write about this to raise awareness. Janice was encouraged by the passion, knowledge and commitment Michelle had for education in a war-torn country like Afghanistan, and that she was willing to bravely take on this journey. They talked at length about security issues and it was agreed that when Michelle was not with the military and travelling on her own, she would continue to take all possible precautions for her safety. Janice shared a copy of their Security Manual that set out tangible steps for safety concerns when travelling in Afghanistan. Michelle was grateful for the help and emboldened by the knowledge that hundreds of Canadians, as members of CW4WAfghan, desperately wanted to follow her stories and valued her efforts.

On December 22, 6:25 AM, Michelle emailed Janice:

" Hello Janice. How are you? I hope all is well in Calgary. I have been in Afghanistan since December 11th. Time is already flying. At this point I am hoping to fly to Kabul in early to mid-January, although I have not yet booked a flight. Canwest is supportive of me going to Kabul. The only hitch would be something big happening here, but it has been very quiet as of late. Do you think this would work? Regards, Michelle."

Then, less than two hours before Janice learned with great shock and sadness of Michelle's death on Wednesday, December 30, she had sent off e-introductions to several of the Afghan project directors and teachers whom Michelle wanted to meet. They were all excited to be making these important connections.

Michelle wanted to cover a much under-reported side of what is happening in Afghanistan and how Afghan men, women and children are pushing forward to bring education to their communities and to work together to pull their country out of the horrors of the past. Michelle was one of the many remarkable Canadians helping to make it happen.

For Michelle, and with great respect for all who have lost their lives in Afghanistan, to their families and friends, please know that their courageous actions are the real HOPE for a better world for us all.

Article by Deborah Alexander,
Director, CW4WAfghan