Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Charitable Giving, Film Review, philanthropy / 06.06.2012

A review of the new film from Red Reel Media directed by Allie Bombach Women's empowerment advocate Shannon Galpin was one of the many incredible people whose story inspired the creation of the Joy Trip Project. As the founder of the non-profit Mountain 2 Mountain her selfless dedication and sacrifice in service to women and girls in war torn regions of Afghanistan demonstrates a rare passion for taking action in spite of overwhelm odds. Add to that a talent for mountain bike racing and you've got an irresistible combination...

0 Likes
Afghanistan, Banff, Film Festival, Interview, Podcast / 20.03.2011

Millions of people around the world have read the bestselling book Three Cups of Tea. Written by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson it’s the amazing true story of one man’s journey to turn a failed attempt to climb K2 into an international movement for peace. Working to build schools in the most remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan Greg Mortenson has inspired the production of a one-man play about his life starring Curtis Nielson. A Literature to Life production of The American Place Theater This stage adaptation of the popular book brings to life the spirit of exploration that delves to find the common threads of humanity that bind us all together. Three Cups of Tea is playing to captivated audiences across North America. This one-man show is a dramatic and heartwarming reenactment of the book. But Curtis Nielson’s portrayal of Greg Mortenson is a story in itself. In this interview recorded at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Alberta, Canada Curtis tells us how his journey as actor has led him to discover many wonderful gifts on the stage of life.
0 Likes
Afghanistan, Charitable Giving, Interview, Mountain Film, philanthropy, Podcast / 29.12.2010

 

An interview with executive director Shannon Galpin

In her travels through Afghanistan the locals call Shannon Galpin the blond, blue-eyed infidel. At 36 this mountain bike racer from Breckenridge, Colorado makes her way through active war zones waging peace. As the executive director of her own non-governmental organization called Mountain 2 Mountain Shannon works on behalf of vulnerable women and children caught in the crossfire. “Our focus is to look at women in Afghanistan as beyond the victims but as the solutions and as the agents of change, “ Shannon said “and that these women that we are trying to work with through education and training are truly the solutions for the country.” Afghanistan has been a place of violent conflict for more than 40 years and with U.S. Troops on the ground now for almost a decade ordinary people, with no special training like Shannon are getting involved trying to find a peaceful solution. “I started traveling over there two or three years ago. I have spent time living in the middle east,” Shannon said. “I lived in Lebanon and traveled throughout the Middle East for a couple of years and I have always connected with the regions that have the worst human rights, that have the worst gender equity rights.” A single mother with a daughter at home Shannon is like many American women frustrated with the plight of people here at home and half a world away who suffer largely because of their gender. “What I realized was that I was ranting a lot and I was upset about it, and it was old adage of be the change that you want to see in the world,” Shannon said, and instead of complaining I should just get off my ass and do it.”
0 Likes
Afghanistan / 03.12.2010

Shannon Glapin has been back from her most recent visit to Afghanistan for a weeks now. The founder of the non-governmental organization Mountain 2 Mountain makes frequent trips to Central Asia to advocate for the well being of women and children. When her most recent blog entry appeared on the Huffington Post I was pretty quick to chat her up on Facebook to ask if I could run  it here on the JTP.  Apart from pasting up more flatting photograph and a video I wanted to share her observations on the rise of street art in and around the war zone. These spontaneous displays of graffiti reveal much about the thoughts of young people in harms way as well as demonstrate the indomitable power of art to convey powerful emotions when words fail or are simply silenced through violence. -JEM Something new is in the streets of Kabul. Increased security? Check Lakes of mud and sewage? Check Street art? Check Street art, stencil art specifically, has popped up on several walls across Kabul over the past year.

Under the cover of night they take to the streets of Kabul, armed with stencils, spray paint and cameras. The youth of Afghanistan are finding their voice.

Tanks, soldiers, dollar signs, poppies, refugees, students in school, helicopters, Talibs, and question marks are assembled into equations, giving Afghans and Westerners alike a reason to stop in curious wonder and think. The 'unknown' taggers created the question, "Chand Ast?". In stencil art. Translated from Dari to English it means "How Much?" -- an effort to challenge all of us about the Cost of War.
0 Likes