A film about the power of compassion

Last night I saw a movie that, for the first time, gave me a sense of hope about Americans' response to the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy. In general, I think we as a nation have failed to meet the challenge of that day to broaden our understanding of people in other cultures and to cultivate compassion.

But last night my church showed the film "Beyond Belief," directed by Beth Murphy. It tells the story of two Wellesley, Mass., women, Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, both of whom lost their husbands when the planes flew into the World Trade Center towers. Both women happened to be pregnant at the time, and through friends they met each other and had an immediate sense of connection. From supporting each other, they soon moved to wanting to help other widows -- in Afghanistan.

They started with an idea that they could each help one widow in Afghanistan, which has thousands of widows, because it has been at war for 23 years. It wasn't long before they realized that because Afghanistan is such a poor country, their money would go far enough to help many more than just two widows. Then they decided to have a fundraiser on the anniversary of 9/11 where Susan, Patti and others would ride bicycles from Ground Zero to Boston. The first event raised $100,000, and they were off and running.

They made a grant to a CARE program to give chickens and incubators to Afghan widows so they could have an income, as well as having some eggs for their own table. Most of these women were the sole providers for their children.

Eventually the pair visited Afghanistan to meet some of the women they had helped. It took them a few years to be ready to make this trip, both because of the dangerous conditions there and because, since they were single parents, they were reluctant to take the risk that they might not return. Finally, they were both ready to go, and the connection they made with the Afghan women (through an interpreter) was very moving. It was touching to hear one of the Afghan women said the Taliban was bad for what it had done to Americans and that "God will punish them four times more." Of course, the Taliban has been no friend at all to women, least of all to women not attached to a man.

All in all, the film was hopeful and inspiring, a real testament to the power of compassion and human connection. I can't imagine anyone not being deeply affected by it.

By the way, Susan and Patti started a nonprofit called "Beyond the 11th" if you want to support their efforts.