Afghanistan: A Special Message to our Community
How you can help:
Communications
If you are contacted by an IVLP alumnus/a or any Afghan with connections to the United States through their participation in exchange programs or development work, please forward the incoming message to our team at info@vcwa.org as soon as possible.
If you are contacted over social media, please send a screenshot of your exchange along with the individual's name and email address to our team at info@vcwa.org. You may let the individual know that you are passing their information on to the Department of State, which is what our team will do.
Social Media
We are in the unfortunate position where we need to request that our digital footprints with Afghan citizens be erased to ensure their safety. If you find any connections on Linkedin and Facebook, please review the following steps:
On LinkedIn: Change your "Connection" visibility settings to "No" (use this link)
On Facebook (via web browser):
Click settings & privacy
In settings, you will see "Who can see your friends list?"
Select “who you want to exclude your friends list from” on a drop-down list
Save Changes
Additionally, please consult this resource from Human Rights First if you would like help deleting any select content/public communication you have had with Afghan citizens; this includes any public recognitions and/or photos you have tagged them in.
Live Interview: From the Ground in Afghanistan
Part of our work is to bring the world to Vermont, and we will do that in both times of celebration and in crisis. Later this week, I will be conducting an Instagram live interview with Hollie McKay, one of the last American female journalists on the ground in Afghanistan, to discuss the unfolding crisis.
To view this interview, follow me on Instagram @patriciapreston_
Date and time TBD as Hollie navigates her changing situation on the ground in Afghanistan.
