Afghan Refugee Ministry

St. Peter’s parishioners are part of an active Afghan evacuee support network. Our mission is to build community and develop self-sufficiency for Afghan evacuees living in New Hampshire. We conduct a weekly women’s program, monthly men’s program, English conversation sessions, and educational and enrichment activities for children and youth. We host regular drives to collect essential household items and gift cards, and other activities.

We welcome volunteers to participate in these activities and conduct donation drives.

Two women standing in front of a sign for the International Institute of New England, holding a large decorative tapestry and a small wooden plaque, both wearing face masks.

June 2026 Update

Hansi Dean and Michelle Davidson started formal English lessons for the Sewing Seeds Afghan women last fall. They met twice a week at a downtown community center and on Wednesday celebrated their graduation complete with “caps” and certificates. Two of the women had college degrees, two had 6th grade educations and two had no prior education. All of them couldn’t have been more proud of their accomplishment. Special thanks to Michelle for her getting her ESL certification and making the trek twice a week to Manchester for the lessons. If you’re interested in helping in the fall, please contact Hansi (hansidean@aol.com) or Michelle (micheledavidson123@gmail.com). 

If you are on Nantucket this summer, please visit the Whaling Museum and consider purchasing a pair of beautiful, embroidered towels that our women made. We are grateful to the Nantucket Historical Association for their support.

A girl with a backpack looking at a small wooden ramp in front of a brick building.

Donate

Select “Afghan Refugees” in the drop-down menu

Wish List

A list of needed items for donation

  • Gift Cards: Joann Fabrics, Market Basket, WalMart, Target

  • Sewing Supplies: fabric (please no tiny florals), notions, thread, sewing machine, needles, elastic, wool yarn, pillow forms

  • Household: laundry detergent, cleaners and cleaning supplies, carpet shampoo solution, electric tea kettles, stove top pressure cookers, curtains and curtain rods, hand tools

  • Personal: Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, diapers, pull-ups

  • Literacy: ESL workbooks, children’s alphabet, numbers, beginning readers and grade school nonfiction books (space, ocean, animals, etc.)

  • Clothing: children’s and youth jeans, shoes and boots, men’s jeans in smaller sizes, crocs, flip flops and slide sandals in all sizes, sports hijabs

Donate via Realm

Contact

For more information or questions about volunteering, please email Karen Montague or Hansi Dean