For us, cultural events are more than just celebrations — they are opportunities to educate, connect, and mobilize people around important issues. Last year, our group decided to organize an Afghan Refugee Awareness Dinner. What began as an idea to highlight the struggles faced by displaced families quickly grew into a fundraising effort that raised $6,000 and helped build wells through Paani. Looking back, the experience not only deepened our commitment to service but also showed us what can happen when people come together around a shared purpose.
Why We Got Involved
The idea for the dinner came during one of our regular PCA meetings. Ahmed Shareef (VP of PCA) and I had been following the situation in Afghanistan closely, especially the challenges refugees faced in finding safety, stability, and dignity. Some of our own members had family connections to refugees, while others had been volunteering locally with families trying to adjust to life in Michigan.
We realized that awareness was lacking on campus. Students knew about Afghanistan in the abstract — news headlines, political debates — but few understood the human side of displacement, the day-to-day struggles of people forced to leave everything behind. We wanted to change that by creating a space where people could learn, listen, and also contribute to making a tangible difference.
Bringing the Dinner to Life
Once the idea was on the table, Ahmed and I quickly moved into planning mode. We settled on hosting a dinner not only because food brings people together, but also because it gave us a chance to share our own culture in a meaningful way. Afghan and Pashtun cuisine carries stories, memories, and traditions — it felt like the perfect way to open hearts and start conversations.
Organizing the event wasn’t easy. We had to find a venue, coordinate with local Afghan cooks, and market the dinner to students and faculty. There were late nights of designing flyers, countless emails to secure approvals, and plenty of logistical headaches along the way. But the energy within our group was contagious — each challenge felt lighter because we knew we were working toward something bigger than ourselves.
The Night of the Dinner
The evening itself exceeded all of our expectations. The hall was full, with students, professors, and community members eager to learn and engage. The air was filled with the aroma of kabuli pulao and fresh naan, while tables buzzed with conversation.
In between courses, we shared stories — some from our own families, others from refugees we had worked with locally. We spoke about resilience, about the courage it takes to rebuild life in a new country, and about the responsibility we all share to support those who have been uprooted. Many attendees told us afterward that it was the first time they had heard these perspectives directly, and it moved them deeply.
Raising $6,000 for Wells through Paani
By the end of the night, we had raised $6,000 — far beyond what we initially expected. The funds were directed to Paani, where they went toward building wells in underserved communities. For us, this connection was powerful: the dinner was about giving refugees a voice, but through the funds raised, we were also able to provide something just as essential — clean water.
It was humbling to realize that a single evening of sharing culture and conversation could ripple outward in such a concrete way. Wells aren’t just infrastructure; they are lifelines. They represent health, dignity, and opportunity. Knowing that our event contributed to that kind of impact made every hour of planning worthwhile.
Reflections and Lessons Learned
Looking back, the Afghan Refugee Awareness Dinner was more than a fundraiser — it was a lesson in community building. We learned that when people are invited into a story with honesty and vulnerability, they respond. They want to help. They want to be part of something meaningful.
We also learned about the power of collaboration. Each PCA member brought something unique to the table: organizational skills, cultural knowledge, connections with the community, or simply a willingness to put in the work. Together, those contributions created something none of us could have achieved alone.
On a personal level, the dinner reminded us that service doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with a simple question: “What issue matters to us, and how can we bring others into the conversation?” From there, the possibilities open up.
Moving Forward
This experience has inspired us to keep going. PCA plans to host more events that bridge culture and service, whether through educational panels, cultural showcases, or additional fundraisers. We believe that storytelling, when paired with action, can create real change.
Most importantly, we want this dinner to be a reminder that students can make an impact — not someday in the future, but right now. With creativity, determination, and a willingness to work together, it’s possible to transform awareness into action and compassion into tangible outcomes.
Our Afghan Refugee Awareness Dinner was one night, but the impact will last much longer. Wells will continue to provide water for years, and the conversations started that evening will continue to shape how our community understands the refugee experience. For us, that’s the real success: knowing that the ripples keep spreading.