l
E
very weekday, 102 girls and 77 boys,
choose to brave deplorable conditions
to pursue their dreams of getting an
education in Ishkashim, Afghanistan. They
cram into two small rooms with 40-50 other
children for up to 4 hours each day. There is
hardly enough room to sit, much less focus
on their lessons, and some classes are forced
to study outside exposed to the elements. On
top of it all, sanitation is practically nonexis-
tent. The situation is unacceptable, and the
community is desperate for a solution.
Support for education in the region is
very strong, but there is a significant lack
of resources. In response to pleas by the
Ishkashim community, the Afghan govern-
ment has allocated 775 square meters (0.2
acres) of land for a new school building.
However, the government does not have
funds to build a school.
Girls living in Ishkashim are dropping out
of school at an alarming rate because of se-
curity, privacy, or capacity concerns. Parents
are pulling their daughters from class or girls
are electing not to continue with their school-
ing due to the lack of classroom space, and
CentralAsiaInstitute.org
Ray-e-
Abisham
Primary
School
NEED:
$40,000
because the school does not have separate
lavatories for boys and girls. In addition, the
current facility lacks a secure (6 to 8 ft tall)
boundary wall with security gate. These
deficiencies are serious concerns, especially
when it comes to puberty-aged girls.
That is where Andrew and Margrit
Staehelin come in to the picture. Together
with CAI partner organization Star of
Knowledge (SKO), they are stepping up to
make sure the girls and boys of Ishkashim
have room to learn.
The Staehelins, both grandparents and
retired teachers, are donating a significant
sum to construct seven classrooms, five
toilets, a boundary wall, and a security gate.
Yet, even with their generous gift, the Ray-e-
Abisham Primary School still needs $40,000
in order to be fully funded.
The Staehelin’s goal is to endow young
Afghan women with the same opportunities
that their grandchildren have. The community
in Ishkashim needs our help to keep promis-
ing young women in school. Will you work
hand-in-hand with us to ensure the children
of Ishkashim have a safe space to thrive? n
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