By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief—
INDIANAPOLIS—State Representatives Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) recognized Muncie-based Bibi Bahrami, the Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee (MARRC), and the Afghan Women’s and Kid’s Education and Necessities (AWAKEN) organization for their dedication and service to the Afghan refugees who made Indiana their home last summer.
“For their safety and security, thousands of Afghan refugees had to flee their homes and navigate a new life in America. Most arrived in Indiana with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, and MARRC stepped in right away to help many families transition to Delaware County. The support, compassion and empathy from the volunteers with MARRC deserve to be recognized, especially as it sets a great example of what can be accomplished when we come together to do great things for others,” said Rowray.
“I am proud of the overwhelming support and generosity the Muncie community has provided to our new neighbors,” Errington said. “AWAKEN and the MARRC are fulfilling the promise of ‘Hoosier hospitality.’ I applaud them both for opening their hearts and offering a helping hand to the Afghan families who now call Muncie ‘home.’ I look forward to working alongside my new neighbors and seeing the many wonderful ways they help our community flourish.”
Pictured L-R: Tony Sandleben, Elizabeth Rowray, (R-Yorktown) Bibi Bahrami, Sue Errington, (D-Muncie) and Afghan refugees who have made Indiana their home. Photo provided by Sue Errington.
Established in 2002 by Bibi Bahrami, AWAKEN is dedicated to enabling Afghan women and families to become literate, healthy and self-sufficient. Since its establishment, AWAKEN has provided over 700,000 patients with free health care, over 3,500 students with access to education programs and over 1,500 women with vocational training.
In September 2021, AWAKEN created the MARRC to assist in the resettlement effort as thousands of Afghan families fled to Indiana following the Taliban’s takeover of their country. The MARRC is a volunteer-run organization that works to ensure that local Afghan refugees have the support they need to thrive in their new home.
MARRC consists of approximately a dozen subcommittees, all focused on different aspects of resettlement which include subcommittees on finance, furniture. essentials, fundraising, employment, housing, education, communications and technology.
