SEATTLE — In 2008, rapper and activist Felipe Coronel (also known as ‘Immortal Technique’) garnered international attention to the plight of Afghani children by partnering with Omeid International. He promised to lend “his undying and restless support” by donating a percentage of the proceeds from his recently-released album, “The 3rd World.”
Shamsia Razaqi Kahn, an Afghan-American philanthropist, launched Omeid International in 2005. Omeid International works to assist Afghan children who are the victims of warfare in an attempt to guide them toward a brighter future.
As a result of warfare between neighboring countries and the United States, more than 100,000 Afghans have lost their lives, leaving countless orphans behind.In order to help Afghani children living in war-ravaged regions, Kahn aimed to build a school, orphanage and medical center in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
In an interview for Coronel’s film, “The (R)evolution of Immortal Technique,” Kahn said, “There was so much devastation and so many different issues that needed to be addressed [in Afghanistan], we thought the most obvious way was to help children.”
Kahn’s plan finally became a reality when Coronel donated $60,000. “When I first met Shamsia and the people of Omeid international I saw how committed they were — that’s what eventually led to the creation of the Amin Institute (an orphanage for Afghani children),” Coronel said. In addition, the rapper also decided to accompany Omeid International to Afghanistan.
He personally traveled through Kabul, making sure that the children he met received the things they needed. The organization provided food, clothes, medical supplies and beds for the orphanage. In an interview with Public Radio International, Coronel described the beauty of the dedication and hardwork of those working for Omeid International.
Since 2009, the orphanage has housed and cared for 17 boys; providing them with education, health care and nutritious meals. Eleven of the boys have moved to a premier preparatory school in India while the remaining seven continue to receive care at the orphanage, thanks to donations and the support of Immortal Technique.
– Marcelo Guadiana
Photo: Flickr