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Maryam and her friends held bake sales to raise money for the people of Afghanistan.

Courtesy of family

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Help From the Heart

With Afghanistan in crisis, this Afghan American girl is stepping up to help.

December 6, 2021
By Karen Kellaher

As You Read, Think About: Why does the crisis feel personal to Maryam?

Denis Poroy/AP Images

Maryam holds a photo of her grandmother.

In August, trouble in Afghanistan made headlines worldwide. The nation’s government had collapsed, and an extremist group called the Taliban had seized power. Many Afghans feared for their lives. 

For 10-year-old Maryam Mehr of Carlsbad, California, the crisis felt personal. Maryam’s family is from Afghanistan, and many of her relatives still call the country in Central Asia home. Her grandmother, who lives with Maryam, was visiting Afghanistan and wasn’t able to return to the U.S. Maryam and her parents watched on the news as the Taliban replaced the Afghan flag with a flag of its own.

“The flag changing really stood out to me,” Maryam says. “It made me feel shocked and sad.”

Although she was more than 7,000 miles away, Maryam made it her mission to help.

In August, trouble in Afghanistan made headlines. The nation’s government had collapsed. An extremist group called the Taliban had seized power. Many Afghans feared for their lives. 

For 10-year-old Maryam Mehr of Carlsbad, California, the crisis felt personal. Maryam’s family is from Afghanistan. Many of her relatives still call the country in Central Asia home. Her grandmother, who lives with Maryam, was visiting Afghanistan and wasn’t able to return to the U.S. Maryam and her parents watched on the news as the Taliban replaced the Afghan flag with a flag of its own.

“The flag changing really stood out to me,” Maryam says. “It made me feel shocked and sad.”

Maryam was more than 7,000 miles away. But she made it her mission to help.

A Painful Past

The Taliban’s history in Afghanistan began long before Maryam was born. In 1996, the group took control of the country for the first time. The Taliban oppressed the Afghan people, putting many strict laws in place. Women were forbidden from working outside the home or showing their faces in public. Girls weren’t allowed to attend school.

After the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan. The planners of the attacks were hiding in Afghanistan, and the Taliban refused to turn them in. 

The U.S. and its allies forced the Taliban from power and helped set up a new government. But fighting continued as the Taliban tried to regain control.

After nearly 20 years at war, the U.S. announced in April 2021 that it would withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan. Taliban fighters swiftly took control of many Afghan cities. On August 15, they seized Kabul, the capital. 

The Taliban’s history in Afghanistan began years ago. In 1996, the group took control of the country for the first time. The Taliban oppressed the Afghan people, putting many strict laws in place. Women were not allowed to work outside the home or show their faces in public. Girls couldn't attend school.

After the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan. The planners of the attacks were hiding in Afghanistan, and the Taliban refused to turn them in. 

The U.S. and its allies forced the Taliban from power. They helped set up a new government. But fighting continued as the Taliban tried to regain control.

After nearly 20 years at war, the U.S. announced in April 2021 that it would withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan. Taliban fighters swiftly took control of many Afghan cities. On August 15, they seized Kabul, the capital. 

Courtesy of family

Maryam bakes kulcha khatai, a traditional Afghan cookie.

Maryam's Mission

Chaos broke out. Businesses shut down, and food and supplies ran low. Many people tried to flee the country, including Maryam’s grandmother. Relatives took her to the Kabul airport several times, but she—and thousands of others—were turned away. On August 26, the airport was bombed just two hours after Maryam’s grandmother left it. Thirteen U.S. soldiers and at least 170 Afghans were killed.

Maryam became determined to help the people of Afghanistan. With friends from school, she organized two bake sales in her neighborhood. The kids sold hundreds of treats, including traditional Afghan cookies called kulcha khatai that Maryam and her mom baked. The bake sales raised almost $6,000. 

Maryam gave some of the money to a group that’s assisting Afghan refugees in the U.S. Other funds went to UNICEF, an organization that is providing food, medicine, and supplies to people in Afghanistan. 

“I’m hoping it’s making a difference in people’s lives,” Maryam says.

Chaos broke out. Businesses shut down, and food and supplies ran low. Many people tried to flee the country, including Maryam’s grandmother. Relatives took her to the Kabul airport several times. But she—and thousands of others—were turned away. On August 26, the airport was bombed just two hours after Maryam’s grandmother left it. Thirteen U.S. soldiers and at least 170 Afghans were killed.

Maryam became determined to help the people of Afghanistan. With friends, she organized two bake sales in her neighborhood. The kids sold hundreds of treats, including traditional Afghan cookies. The bake sales raised almost $6,000. 

Maryam gave some of the money to a group that’s assisting Afghan refugees in the U.S. Other funds went to UNICEF, a group that is providing food, medicine, and supplies to people in Afghanistan. 

“I’m hoping it’s making a difference in people’s lives,” Maryam says.

An Uncertain Future

Now that the Taliban is back in power, many Afghans are afraid to leave their homes. Maryam and her family keep in touch with their loved ones with tearful video chats. Maryam misses her grandmother, who was still not able to leave Afghanistan when Scholastic News went to press. And she worries about her family in Kabul. Maryam hopes that someday she’ll get to safely visit them—and see the Afghan flag she loves flying high once again. 

Now that the Taliban is back in power, many Afghans are afraid to leave their homes. Maryam and her family keep in touch with their loved ones with video chats. Maryam misses her grandmother, who was still not able to leave Afghanistan when Scholastic News went to press. And she worries about her family in Kabul. Maryam hopes that someday she’ll get to safely visit them. She wants to see the Afghan flag she loves flying high once again. 

What You Need to Know About Life in Afghanistan

AFP via Getty Images

Life was hard for most Afghans even before the government collapsed. Taliban attacks on villages were common, and a severe drought had caused a food shortage. Now things are even more unstable. 

To try to escape these harsh conditions, countless Afghans have fled their homes. Many are still in Afghanistan, living in grim camps without running water (above). 

Others became refugees—people forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons. Afghans have fled to dozens of countries. Since the Taliban took over in August, more than 50,000 Afghans have arrived in the U.S.

What You Need to Know About Life in Afghanistan

AFP via Getty Images

Life was hard for most Afghans even before the government collapsed. Taliban attacks on villages were common, and a severe drought had caused a food shortage. Now things are even more unstable. 

To try to escape these harsh conditions, countless Afghans have fled their homes. Many are still in Afghanistan, living in grim camps without running water (above). 

Others became refugees—people forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons. Afghans have fled to dozens of countries. Since the Taliban took over in August, more than 50,000 Afghans have arrived in the U.S.

1. What are the main ideas of the article?

2. How does the author support the claim that the Taliban oppressed Afghans starting in 1996?

3. What have been some effects of the recent Taliban takeover?

1. What are the main ideas of the article?

2. How does the author support the claim that the Taliban oppressed Afghans starting in 1996?

3. What have been some effects of the recent Taliban takeover?

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