44 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
WOMEN
IN
BUSINESS
2014
ROOTS OF PEACE
HEIDI KÜHN
Founder & CEO
Roots of Peace, is a 17-year old non-profit, non-religious, NGO working to turn MINES TO VINES
®
by replacing millions of
landmines in war-torn parts of the world with productive agriculture.
We have worked in Afghanistan since 2003, and currently employ over 300 Afghans across the country. To date, we have
helped remove more than 100,000 landmines throughout Afghanistan and replaced them with more than 5 million trees and
vineyards to grow grapes, pomegranates, citrus, apples and nuts. These crops are providing Afghan farmers double and triple
the income than they made prior to working with us.
Together, we have helped make a positive impact on the lives of over 1 million Afghan farmers and their families.
Last Friday, March 28
th
, an attack took place on an adjacent building that had no affiliation with Roots of Peace or our staff.
The attack quickly moved to the Roots of Peace guesthouse next door, where the attackers entered into a four-hour battle
with the Afghan National Police and Afghan Special Forces. A young girl, who was an innocent bystander, and an Afghan
driver parked nearby were killed, along with the four attackers. Six more people were injured. The Taliban has since taken
credit for the attack.
In 17 years, nothing like this has happened to Roots of Peace. As a mother, I grieve for this young girl who won't grow up.
As a wife, I grieve for the man waiting in his car who won't go home.
We remain committed to our mission, and will continue to work with the Afghan people to turn more minefields into
productive agriculture. May we all plant the Roots of Peace on Earth. To find out how you can get involved,
visit us at www.rootsofpeace.org
990 A St., Suite 402, San Rafael | 455-8008 | www.rootsofpeace.org
