The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, 2011

Afghanistan - a beautiful country wrecked by years of war and Taliban rule.

Afghan women are forced to wear chandri, burqua-like coverings that include covering the face with only narrow slits for women to see through, and only allowed to go out with a male member of the family escorting them.

They are beaten if they are not properly covered or found interacting with a man who is not a relative.

Kamila, the second oldest sister, is responsible for her sisters and younger brother when her parents flee the city & decide it would be too dangerous to travel with so many young children.

Her older sister Malika soon moves back home with two young children as Malika's husband is also forced to flee Kabul. Even after the Taliban is driven out of Afghanistan in 2001, one of the sister wears a chandri for years after, afraid of the return of Taliban recrimination.

Kamila ventures to the market with her younger brother as her chaperone and boldly approaches shop keepers with her dress and clothing samples to sell.  An expert salesperson who is intent on producing quality products & meeting deadlines, Kamila grows her clothing business to over thirty girls and women.

When the supply of workers become too great, Kamila decides to start a school to teach girls how to sew.   Girls would not be paid (nor need to pay) for the training, and would start getting paid once their skills improved so that they could produce garments.

This training program not only allowed Kamila to help so many more of her countrywomen survive and feed their families, but also ensured that she would be able to meet any orders with her increased work force.

They create jobs for other women who find themselves the sole breadwinner as men flee to Iran, Pakistan to escape the Taliban, who hang, punish and murder.

It is heartening to read about the years of invasion and war ravaging Afghanistan, a beautiful country with such kind, generous people.  And, inspiring to read about such a strong woman like Kamila who unselfishly works to make the world better for others risking her own personal safety and comfort.

If only I could have even an ounce of the compassion, unselfishness & drive Kamila haves to give back to the community.