Nicole Heydari Update, A Memo From Bill

Posted by Ernest Hauser

Dear friends in Rotary;

Most of you will remember Nicole Heydari and her great work in Afghanistan.

This story began when the Rotary Clubs of Houston and Humble Intercontinental created a District Grant ($10,000 in total) to help fund Nicole's studies in Vienna. Nicole has spoken at both the Houston and Humble Clubs.

She took two breaks from her studies to work in Afghanistan. During her first tour in Kabul she identified a need for clothing and Christmas gifts for children who were living in prisons with their mothers and the Humble Club provided support for this project. Then on her second tour she identified a school in Kabul where more than one half of the students were attending classes outdoors on raw land. Nine Clubs, Humble, Houston, Houston Heights,West U, North Shore, Willowbrook, Baytown, Brazosport and Bear Creek Copperfield contributed over $10,000 to build and furnish class rooms for these boys and girls. This project was awarded the International Project of the Year at the last District Conference.

Reports on both projects and Nicole's graduation picture are attached.

Following is the email I received today from Nicole;

Hi Bill,

How are you? I wanted to update you on things on my end. I graduated with a Master's Degree in Advanced International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy/University of Vienna last month. I'm attaching some pictures. I took a graduation vacation to Jordan- Dead Sea with my mom and now I am back in Vienna. I am looking for short-term consultancies with the OSCE or other international organizations here. I am also studying for the Foreign Service Exam. I plan to take the written exam this October. My plan is to move back to Houston next year as my brother and his wife who are living in Houston are having a baby and it would be nice to be close to family.

That's about it. Look forward to hearing from you.

best,
Nicole Heydari