Allyson Reneau couldn't sleep Aug. 3 at her home in Oklahoma City.

Reneau, the of children who graduated from Harvard University in 20 with a masters degree in international relations and U.S. space policy, could only think of girls on the other side of the world.

Specifically, the Afghan Girls Robotic Team, a group of girls ages to 18 who have overcome hardship to pursue their love of engineering and robotics in Afghanistan.

On Aug. 9, Reneau decided to fly to Qatar herself.

"I decided that Monday I'm just going to fly to Qatar — like a leap of faith — and see what I can do," she said. "Sometimes action just opens doors, [but] I was going alone, and I'm thinking, 'Do I even know anyone in Qatar?'"

Before she got on the flight, Reneau made one last "Hail Mary" call.

"I remembered my former roommate in D.C. a couple of years ago was transferred to Qatar," Reneau said. "She said she worked in the U.S. Embassy in Qatar. ... She was sure her boss would approve helping the girls."

[nbcnews.com]