The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Before Taliban

• 1996 Kamila received certificate at Sayed Jamaluddin Teacher Training Institute

• Education and family support

• Life was cautiously optimistic for the Sidiqi family of nine girls and two boys

During Taliban Rule

• Forced rules -• Families fled -• Women were 40% civil servants, over half

were teachers, over 30,000 widows no longer worked and became destitute

• Strong obligation to support

After Taliban

• 2001 Taliban abandoned Kabul• The visit, UN Habitat, recruitment• Kamila’s commitment – Extending to all

Afghani women• Bigger risks, more exposure, more danger

Discussion

• Discuss the effects of years of civil war on Khair Khana and its people.

• With the Taliban’s enforced restrictions, how will you survive? What would you do?

• How important is civil engagement in the community, the country? Do you see civil engagement in your community?

• Why was the movie, Titanic, so important?