Our annual fundraiser turned out to be an incredible event, with very special guests, wonderful food and entertainment, and an amazing turnout of Sonia Shah Organization supporters. Together visit this website we are changing the world, one girl at a time!

On the 3rd anniversary of Sonia’s tragic, untimely death, we often remember Sonia through the words of those who knew her. This letter from President Barack Obama shows that the young women we knew and admired so much shined through to all she met and worked with.

“Dear Iram and Mahmood,
I want to convey my heartfelt sympathy at Sonia’s passing. I hope that your cherished memories bring you and your family some measure of comfort at this tragic time.
My team says that although Sonia was one of the youngest interns at campaign headquarters, she was one of the most determined. There’s no doubt that her dedication will continue to inspire all those who were lucky enough to work with her.
I am grateful for all of Sonia’s hard work, and I am proud to have had her support. Please know that the Obama for America family is thinking of you.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama”

My dear Sonia,

On this third anniversary of your passing away I am this website filled with pain, loss, love and hope. Hope for all those girls whose lives you have changed forever. Your dream is coming true and you mission is progressing. On my recent trip to the school, I saw the heartwarming transformation in those young lives. Some of the children came to school without shoes but were happy to learn. I saw 15 years old girls proudly sitting in the first grade hungry to learn, writing their names for the first time, full of hope and laughter.

I saw your picture hanging in the principal’s office and realized that I will never see you, talk with you or touch you in this life but I will always be connected to you via these girls. Every girl in the world that you touch is Sonia, who will change their families and their communities. What a gift to the world!
You have changed my life for better too. I have a purpose and meaning in my life. I am stronger, wiser and resigned to a higher power. I feel I am following your lead and picking the bread crumbs. In your life we lived and traveled the world from Thailand to Switzerland, touched all the beautiful landmarks. In your death you are leading me on a spiritual journey from Mecca to Medjugorje to Jerusalem. You were a gift to me in your life and a gift in your death!

We continue to love you and inspired by you!

As we approach the anniversary of Sonia’s tragic death, we wish to share the words of those who knew Sonia. This letter from Greg Mortenson touched us deeply, coming from a man who had the same dream as Sonia and realized it so profoundly.

“Iram and family,

Asalaam-o-Alaikum. Tara (my wife), Amira, Khyber Khan and myself offer our profound condolences on your tragic loss of Sonia. There is no greater bond than that between mother and child, and no greater loss than to lose your child, for which no words adequately suffice to. God sometimes chooses those who are most dear to us, to be his special angels to watch over us, and I know dear Sonia is amongst those. Our daily prayers are with you, and in the midst of this pain, we hope that you have some comfort in remembering the happy and precious times you shared.
When a child or young adult shows the courage and tenacity to be a humanitarian to serve others, that I believe is one of the finest examples of what a parent can be proud of. Sonia certainly was a leader of her peers, who at a young age, and in a chaotic world of mostly self centered youth, had a vision and did not hesitate to put her big heart into action to make a difference with the Kulsoom Foundation, and the children of Kangra. The note that Sonia wrote during a difficult time last year was tremendously inspiring and we should make sure her vision succeeds. Over the last week, I’ve looked at her pictures a few times, and when I see the girls and children sitting on the earthen verandah, it brings tears to my eyes and a conviction that we should do all we can to make sure her dream is realized.

With our love and sympathy,

Greg, Tara, Amira & Khyber”

Join us Friday, November 20th at Pearl Banquets in Chicago for the annual Sonia Shah Organization fundraiser–an Evening of Hope, Celebration, and Dedication. We’re so excited about the amazing lineup we have planned and cannot wait to spend an evening for a cause with you. The lineup includes contemporary circus artists Vagabonds of the Runaway Circus–think aerialists, contortionists, jugglers, stiltwalkers and more–as well as Yohannes Abraham, Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for the Office of Public Engagement, under Valerie Jarrett; keynote speaker, and comedian Aman Ali.

Join us for a fun and exciting evening for you and your guests to enjoy!

Tickets
$75 Students (with ID)
$150 Individual
$1,250 Table of 10

Purchase tickets at
SoniaShahNov20.eventbrite.com

Note: Unfortunately peace activist Rais Bhuiyan is no longer able to join our lineup. We apologize for the last-minute change.

Every three months, we have a team of three doctors visit Kangra and provide basic medical care to our students. We hope to increase the frequency of the care, but we need your help to do so – after all, how can a child focus in school if she is sick?

Contribute to the Sonia Shah Organization here:soniashahorganization.com/contribute/