As the D5495 Peace Fellowship Chair, my task and our committee's task is to annually seek humanitarian peacebuilders who wish to apply for one of the 50 fully-funded Master's Degree Fellowships or 80 Professional Development Certificate Fellowships as selected by the Rotary Peace Centers from applicants throughout the world. 
 
On November 1, 2021, D5495 was proud to have two Fellows selected for the Master's Degree program.  One of these selections is Mustafa Rezaie, from Afghanistan, who was awarded a Fellowship to Duke University to start this fall of 2022.  That was great news.  The bad news was at the time of this announcement it was already extremely difficult, if not impossible, to depart Afghanistan.
 
Mustafa was introduced to us by the Rotary Peace Centers, who asked D5495 to vet his application.  We were pleased to do this, and it validated for D5495 that the Peace Centers trusted us.  I first met Mustafa via Zoom in April 2021, and we have since had at least 100 communications (Zoom and emails in the early days, and mostly WhatsApp since the Taliban took over).  
 
These last 10 months - and especially the last four months - have been a roller-coaster of mixed emotions for those of us involved with trying to help Mustafa and his family depart Afghanistan.  I am pleased to share with you that on Feb. 21, Mustafa, with his wife and two young daughters, arrived safely to Islamabad, Pakistan.   
 
This amazing collaborative effort is the result of work of Rotarians in Pakistan, staff at the Rotary Peace Centers, Fellowship alumni, Duke University, and others over many months after failing to get help through our State Department, USAID, and our two Arizona state senators offices.  It has been an honor to be but a small part of it.  Their next steps are for them to secure visas to come to the USA.
 
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However, steep challenges still remain for Mustafa and his family as they attempt to leave Pakistan for their final destination in the United States. There is an urgent need to raise funds for the family as they attempt to secure visas.
 
I would like to raise at least $5,000 from D5495 Rotarians (and others if they want to help) to assist the family while they are in Pakistan, as well as provide airfare to the USA once they secure their visas.  Due to the visa process, we do not know at this time how long the family will be in Islamabad.  (Mustafa's airfare would be paid for by the Peace Centers). 
 
I have been told it will cost $800 per month for them to stay in Islamabad.  Currently, Islamabad Rotarians are helping them, and I expect Rotarians there to also contribute funds. Once the family arrives in North Carolina, we have already had positive communication with Rotarians in Durham, N.C., where Duke is, to also help the family.  We have also requested the Peace Centers provide some help from their discretionary fund if they can.
 
Current D3272 DG Saifullah Ejaz in Pakistan is supportive of this cause, as are D3272's DGE and DGN, and other key Rotarian leadership in Pakistan and especially in Islamabad. Even Rotary International President-Elect Jennifer Jones is aware of Mustafa's situation. I feel we have done our due diligence and follow-up to make the following request.
 
 
REQUEST:
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I have secured approval from the Phoenix Rotary Club Charities (PRCC), a separate 501(c)(3), of Phoenix Rotary 100 to accept restricted donations from anyone to raise the $5,000 goal mentioned above.  A letter from our PRCC would go to every contributor. The contributions are to be specified for "Peace Fellowship Support. The funds would eventually be sent by the PRCC to D3272 in Pakistan as Peace Fellowship Support for Mustafa and his family.  
 
The funds would be used as needed for their housing, food, and general well-care while there
 
To help Mustafa and his family, contributions can be made directly to PRCC:
 
Checks to be made out to either "Phoenix Rotary Club Charities" or "PRCC."  The memo on Check should read "Peace Fellowship Support."
 
Mail check to:  PRCC
                         501 East Osborn Road
                         Phoenix, AZ  85012
 
Peace and regards,
 
Tony Cerato
D5495 Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair
Phoenix Rotary 100