Linda Norgrove devoted her working life to helping others. She travelled many miles from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland to remote parts of Afghanistan to work as aid worker. There she oversaw projects designed to create jobs and small businesses in unstable and vulnerable areas. She built up a strong relationship with the local community and was greatly admired for her work with women and children.
Sadly Linda was kidnapped by the Taliban in Kunar on 26 September 2010 and died in a failed rescue attempt on 8 October. She was only 36. The Linda Norgrove Foundation was established by her parents in October 2010 in memory of Linda.
The Foundation’s primary goal is to help women and children in Afghanistan, the innocent victims of the decades of conflict in the poorest country in the world outside Africa.
It is tempting to forget about the troubles of Afghanistan but recent reports on the BBC reminded us of the severe oppression of women by the Taliban and the plight of millions of starving children, exacerbated by the ineptitude of the Taliban authorities. Education for women has been almost completely stopped and their voices are not allowed to be heard in public. Midwifery is currently the only subject women are still allowed to study at local colleges and the foundation has funded 20 residential places for women to study at the Sheefa Midwifery Institute in northern Afghanistan. A trusted resident German volunteer oversees the programme for them.
Following the ‘suspension’ of higher education for women, the foundation is no longer able to provide scholarships. After women were banned from higher education, not only were the students confined to their home and deprived of the chance of a medical career, many feared their lives were in danger and lived in fear of the Taliban.
In August 2024, after clearing many hurdles and with the support of the UK government, the foundation succeeded in bringing 19 medical students to Scotland to continue their studies. It is humbling to hear what some of them had to endure.
Fariba was inspired to become a doctor after both her mother and brother became ill and could not be treated in Afghanistan. She was in the final stage of her medical studies in Kabul when the Taliban banned most women’s education. Having taken part in a women’s demonstration she was being hunted by the Taliban, who visited her home and threatened her so she had to move several times. She was scared and isolated and became depressed. However today she says “I feel like God has granted me a miracle in life, and I am soaring towards my goals and dreams, smiling and happy every second”
The trustees of the foundation include Linda’s parents. None of the trustees are paid or receive expenses. This ensures that the charity’s funds are devoted entirely to its aims.
On Sunday 17th November, here in Groomsport, we are delighted to have another evening praise service led by the Donaghadee Community Choir. This year we would like to devote the collection to the Linda Norgrove Foundation and we would encourage everyone to come along and support this. If you would like to donate something now you can leave an envelope in our weekly collection and mark it LINDA. Alternatively you can send any donation to our church office or give it directly to our treasurer, Mr Chris Thompson. Please remember the work of the Linda Norgrove Foundation in your prayers.
Thank you.
Visit the Linda Norgrove Foundation.
