Fast Track Education for Afghan Women and Girls

Dear Friends,

AIL’s successful Learning Center program helps thousands of women each year. In Herat there are 26 Learning Centers which served 12,546 people in the last six months. This number includes 7,994 women and girls. 9 of the centers are urban and 17 are rural. Most centers are co-ed but there are 3 which serve only females.

One of those female only centers is at an orphanage. There are approximately 150 girls (numbers fluctuate as girls age out and new ones arrive) being cared for in the orphanage. Each day AIL staff make sure that the 90 girls who are of age, go to school, and when they return to the orphanage they are offered tutoring. There are cooks who assure that each girl is given healthy, nutritious food to eat.  Health care is also provided by the girls and health education.  The girls have the opportunity to attend classes offered by AIL after their school classes. There are 9 classes taught by 4 AIL teachers at the orphanage. The classes offered include Arabic, sewing, computer and English. Twice a year each girl is supplied with cloth and is taught how to make a pattern and sew the cloth into clothing, giving her a skill, which she can use to help earn an income when she leaves the orphanage and goes out into the world as a young woman.

Habiba, a young girl that has been raised by the orphanage since she was five years old. In ten years of life she has faced many challenges in her past. She was born into a poor family of 5 members. Her father was killed on a road side bombing when she was 2 years old, and her mother and three of her siblings were working to pay for their livelihood.  To add to her devastation, Habiba’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed as well. Shortly after, her older sister married and Habiba and her brother were brought to the orphanage due to the financial constraints of staying with relatives. At the orphanage she is living like other children having nutritious food, someone to look after her, friends to play with, clothing to wear and a school to learn and grow. Currently a 4^th class student, Habiba’s intelligence is evident in her interest in learning computer skills. When we asked her what she thinks about the computer, she answered us in this way: "Computer was a new thing for me and I didn't know it before I saw it the first time. I knew nothing about the keys, the hardware and the software and how to use it. From the day I started, it was amazing for me and I can do many things with it. I can paint, draw, write, read, count and do many things. During the sessions I learned many things and I am not that girl of years ago. I wish I can be an elite student and then an elite person in this country and change the destiny of children like myself. I am going to achieve all my goals by studying and critical thinking. Today my dreams are coming true at AIL orphanage. I am going to change my life."    

Your support makes a difference in the lives of girls like Habiba. Thank you.

Dear Friends, 

TODAY ONLY September 21st-12:00pmET! 30% Matching funds available for donations made to AIL projects on GlobalGiving.org!

Donations up to $1,000 per individual donor per organization may be matched while funds available. The money runs out fast- so donate now!

BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE

This project gets a 50% match as part of Safer World Fund so your donation could be matched 80% if funds last!

The SWF match is up to $1,500 per donor per project.

Complex I know! but bear with me.

If you miss the 30% bonus match your gift to $1,500 could still get the 50% if funds are available.

The AIL education program is going well and classes are being held at 43 Learning Centers (LCs) in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including 15 rural centers around Herat.  A diverse range of subjects are offered (though not at every center) including: math, literacy, Arabic, English, sewing, miniature painting, computers and physics. So far 13,888 students (including 9,044 females and 4,844 males) participated in Learning Center education.  The mobile literacy students are creating various types of messages on health, peace, forgiveness, and leadership and life affairs. They are taught the characteristics of a being a contributing member of their community. .Below is the story of one woman,

“My name is Amena. I grew up deprived of a formal education. I usually asked others to dial numbers and make calls for me, even in urgent situations. One day my child became ill with a stomach virus, I had a cell phone but I did not know how to use it properly. I came out of my home and I asked a man who was passing by to make the call. As a result of my lack of knowledge with the phone, my child nearly died. This caused me great distress. Now as a student of the Mobile Literacy Class, I am able to use my cellphone by myself. For example, I learned to dial number, create free text message and send it to the others. I am able to communicate with other women, my relatives, classmates and neighborhood easily. Participating in this class has been a turning point in my life. I appreciate Prof. Sakena Yacoobi as a kind mother who always helps women build their self-worth. “

Your donation will help AIL continue its valuable work providing education and healthcare for women!