Afghan Scholarship Rugs
Sonia Eqbal ’06 and Javaid Zeerak ’07, both from Afghanistan, created the Afghan Rug Scholarship program to bring more students to Juniata.
What is This?
The College's direct purchase of 100% wool rugs from the Ghazni Rural Support Program (GRSP) in Afghanistan makes it possible to provide them at a competitive price while contributing a tax deductible gift of one half the price (not including tax) to the Afghan Scholarship Fund at Juniata. And keep in mind that your contribution counts toward your yearly giving total to Juniata.
Why Should I Buy One?
- Your purchase of these carefully crafted Afghan rugs helps to support the education of an Afghan student at Juniata College.
- In addition, your purchase supports economic development in Afghanistan. GRSP is a non-government organization which stimulates sustainable integrated rural development. In its work GRSP recognizes the role of women as a very vital and effective social force.
- GRSP provides fair wages and healthy work environments for its weavers. In all cases child labor is excluded or highly discouraged.
View and Purchase the Rugs
Rugs are available in a variety of beautiful colors and range in size from 2' x 3' to 6' x 9'. View pictures and pricelist of the rugs. To order a rug, please print the rug order form. For additional information or to order a rug over the phone, please call Pat Kepple at 814-643-6922 or e-mail kepplep@juniata.edu.
What a wonderful way to help students and build bridges between nations. My husband and I are buying a rug to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our meeting in Germany while I was spending my junior year with Brethren Colleges Abroad. Herbert was the ultimate souvenir!
- Kathleen Smith Rueppel '79, September 7, 2007
More about Ghazni Rural Support Program (GRSP)
GRSP is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-partisan Afghan organization established in 1993 through the efforts of a dedicated group of Afghan professionals experienced in the area of humanitarian activities, with the sole objective to carry out such activities in rural Afghanistan. Initially focusing its efforts in rural areas of Ghazni province, with time GRSP expanded its area of operation to include many other provinces in Afghanistan and some refugee concentration areas outside the country.