Making a Difference in Afghanistan and Pakistan

She was born and raised in Bismarck Left this area years ago and eventually found herself in the Middle East Inspired by the work of Greg Mortensonthis Bismarck-native raised over 100-thousand dollars The funds were used to help Mortenson s charity build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan But as Reporter Kate Schell tell us she didn t stop there She s fighting a different war in Afghanistan one that she hopes will someday bring more rights to women and children Despite having witnessed her driver get physically beat by the Taliban while see sat right next to him this single mother remains dedicated to educating the women and girls in Afghanistan Shannon Galpin Mountain 2 Mountain These girls deserve the same chance that my girl has They deserve to have the same opportunities that Devon has and its completely within my realm to at least affect a few lives than that has to be done Throughout her travels in the poverty-stricken country Shannon has watched children answer their math problems in the dirt they share supplies and sometimes don t even have a roof above their heads Shannon says their desire to learn is unreal considering the risks that are involved Shannon Galpin Mountain 2 Mountain They are willing to brave being attacked on the way to school that they are made targets that they have stones thrown at them acid thrown at them often times even killed schools burned and yet they keep coming back They rebuild they heal they don t let it stop them becuase they realize that if they don t have the education they lierally have nothing Shannon says the Taliban fears an educated society It s often the reason they burn down schools Shannon Galpin Mountain 2 Mountain If they are educated they are not controllable you can t brainwash an educated person so that really comes back down to that education is also the right way to fight terrorism if you are looking at it from that aspect Educating is her goal and she s even taken great risks while doing it Shannon became the first woman to bike through Afghanistan-something that is socially unacceptable for Afghan women to do During her ride she often questioned men on what they would think if Afghan women would do the same Shannon Galpin Mountain 2 Mountain A foreign woman can get away with it So why not push those barriers why not try to break some stereotypes and if that means that girls and Afghan women can ride bikes then all the better It s the things in life that we view as simple like riding a bike and going to school that will require great efforts for many years before Afghan women and girls will be able to do the same It s a challenge Shannon Galpin is taking head on With KX News Im Kate Schell Shannon is hosting an open house tomorrow at the Civic Square Building in Bismarck It starts at 5 She will share her experiences in Afghanistan and show photos from her trips To learn more about Shannon s organization you can log on to her website