In this month's issue you will find:

On April 18th, a book launch was held at USC, co-sponsored by the International Visitor's Council of Los Angeles, in partnership with the Consulate General of Afghanistan and the Aga Khan Council for the Western USA. The author Lee Hilling discussed his book A Place of Miracles: The Story of a Children's Hospital in Kabul and the People Whose Lives Have Been Changed by It.

This article was written by author Lee Hilling.

As terrorist attacks keep occurring at an unprecedented pace, populations are being displaced around the world. In Afghanistan, a recent attack in Kabul resulted in over 100 deaths and 300 victims injured. Sadly, this was only the most recent of such carnage in the country. As America's longest war, the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan is important to the security of not only the U.S., but the world. Today, there are more American combat troops are on the ground in Afghanistan than the rest of the world combined, and consideration is being given to adding even more. Aside from military expenditures, the U.S. has spent more towards the development of Afghanistan than was spent to reconstruct Europe after World War II. Based on reports by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan, there is good evidence that the results of U.S. investments in Afghanistan have been poor.

Inaugurated on April 2006, the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) is the product of an unusual partnership, a four-party public-private partnership, comprised of two private organizations, the Aga Khan Development Network and the France-based humanitarian entity La Chaine de l'Espoir, and two governments, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and France. The result is an institution that has enabled children's lives to be saved that might have otherwise been lost. Out of nearly 2,500 cardiac surgeries performed at FMIC, approximately half were open-heart cases. In recent years they were almost exclusively performed by an all-Afghan team trained by the founding partners, with results that meet or exceed international standards. Over 1 million patients have been served from all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces. Over 400,000 patients have received welfare support or subsidized care amounting to more than $28 million.

FMIC also conducts a Postgraduate Medical Education program that is unique in Afghanistan. The program has graduated two classes: 20 students trained for four years in 7 specialties, some of which aren't trained any place else in Afghanistan. Its second graduating class made history. Two radiologists, one cardiologist and one pathologist were the first physicians ever to be trained in these specialties in Afghanistan - and the pathology graduate, as well as two graduates in pediatric surgery, were the first women to be trained and work in these specialties in Afghanistan.

FMIC is one of Afghanistan's most remarkable reconstruction success stories. It is a model that can be emulated as the U.S. and others strive to complete their development mission there. The potential is that Afghans can receive care of an international standard - delivered by Afghans.

Lee's inspiring book is available online at amazon.com, at barnesandnoble.com, and at outskirtspress.com/aplaceofmiracles.

Anyone reading the book and wanting to know how they can support this remarkable institution can contact Lee at [email protected].