Help Afghan Boys Trade Guns for Books

Thank you for all you have contributed towards AIL’s goal of educating the people of Afghanistan. While the conditions in Afghanistan are still challenging, AIL is seeing positive changes in the lives of those Afghans that it works with. 

While AIL’s primary mission is to educate women and children, AIL would never turn away any Afghan seeking to become educated. Through September of 2012 AIL has helped to educate 3,716 young men and boys in it’s programs ranging from pre-school, to literacy, to computers and more. 

AIL would like to share the remarks of one young man who has been attending classes in one of AIL’s centers for a year. Ahmad is a 22 year old who thanked AIL for the school, and said he prays for Dr. Yacoobi, AIL’s Executive Director. He continues, “AIL has changed my live positively. I started studying English and computers in the center last year. Before I attended classes, I didn’t even know how to turn on or off a computer, but now I have learned well. In fact, I’ve learned to use seven programs on the computer. In addition, I’ve learned to speak and write English well. After I graduated form the course, I took an entrance exam for a trading company in my town. I got the job, and my salary is excellent. I support my family, my mother and my father with the money I receive. After seeing what I have done, my cousin is interested in learning computers and English as well. I owe all my successes to AIL.” 

Ahmed’s remarks area great example of what AIL is seeking to do in Afghanistan: move the country from poverty and violence, to one of peace and prosperity. AIL’s Executive Director Dr. Sakena Yacoobi believes that this will be accomplished by educating Afghan’s just like Ahmed and giving them a path to a better life. And as his remarks highlight, when Ahmed’s cousin saw that positive change that occurred in Ahmed’s life after taking classes, he then showed an interest in education. AIL believes it’s mission is to spread education across Afghanistan in just this manner, and stories like Ahmed’s show that AIL is reaching this goal. 

Don’t forget!  The holidays are a great time to share your passion for AIL and the great work that they do! GlobalGiving offers gift certificates which can be used to donate to AIL’s projects. Also, beginning December 1^st, the initial donation made by recurring donors will be matched 100% by GlobalGiving. There is only $25,000 available in matching funds, so help AIL take advantage of this opportunity early!