CAI HERO : Drukhshan By Karin Ronnow Multilingual mathematician wants to be a doctor
CAI HERO : Drukhshan By Karin Ronnow Multilingual mathematician wants to be a doctor
ISHKASHIM , Afghanistan – Some children are just born learners . They dive into their studies with excitement and determination . They glom onto every bit of knowledge that comes their way . And they dream big .
“ Mathematics is my favorite , I think it is like a game ,” said Drukhshan , a 12th grader at Ishkashim Girls ’ Higher Secondary School in Afghanistan ’ s northeastern Badakhshan province . “ When we solve a question it ’ s so interesting .”
The 17-year-old is one of the top students in her class . She dreams of going on to university , studying medicine , becoming a doctor , giving back to her community , and seeing the world .
“ It ’ s important for every person to be educated ,” she said . “ For example , if you are not educated you must stay at home and just do chores and that is so boring . If you are educated you can travel , communicate with different people all over the world .”
Communication is important to her , and she works hard at it . Although she ’ s not as fond of English as she is of math , her spoken English and comprehension exceeds that of most of her classmates . She accomplished that , she said , with the help of additional courses .
“ We study English in school , but there we only read and write it , we don ’ t speak it ,” she said . “ So I took classes after school . We all know that English is an international language and we should learn it . I ’ d like to learn all the languages of the world .”
But she knows not everyone shares her enthusiasm .
Enrollment at her school , housed in two buildings erected by Central Asia Institute in 2008 and 2009 , is 1,005 , said Headmaster Atah Baik . But when he reviewed the attendance sheets and accounted for the girls who have quit ( but remain on the enrollment list – a common practice in Afghanistan ), the number of students drops to 835 .
That doesn ’ t surprise Drukhshan . “ There are many people here who don ’ t let their daughters go to school , or they let them but they don ’ t try to understand the value of education ,” she said .
“ The girls say they don ’ t have any interest in education because their parents don ’ t have any interest . They are like people who live in the 18th century . So the girls just come and go and don ’ t study . They will just finish school and get married .
“ I like to learn in a competitive environment , but when I see my classmates not caring and so bored , then that drives me crazy ,” she said . “ I feel very frustrated . Sometimes I talk to them and say , ‘ Even if you are not responsible for yourself or your future , what will you say to your children ? You are going to be a mother . At least you can improve the lives of your children so that they can be future leaders of Afghanistan .’”
Drukhshan learned that lesson at home . She comes from a relatively small family of three children . Her father works for the Aga Khan Foundation . Her mother is a housewife .
Drukhshan was born in 1997 , when the Taliban controlled the government in Afghanistan . “ My mother said it was a terrible time ,” she said . “ We went to Pakistan when I was 1½
“ CAI serves us by making the school . I should serve by helping the people improve themselves .”
— Drukhshan
years old , to Karachi . I completed nursery school there . When I came back , I was about 6 years old .”
Her mother , who has a basic education , said she has always emphasized education for her children . “ But I especially wanted my daughters to be educated — even more than other kids .”
Drukhshan ’ s sister , Aalam Gul , studies politics and sociology at university in Bishkek , Kyrgyzstan , with help from a George Soros Foundation scholarship . She , too , is bright and well spoken . When asked what she ’ d like to do with her degree once she finishes university , she said : “ Fight for women . This is the only thing to say . Because nothing has been done for women , especially in this environment .”
Why ? “ Because they don ’ t fight , they don ’ t have opportunities . I don ’ t mean literally ‘ fight .’ I mean they need more attention . When you see women in Afghanistan you feel very sad for them and for yourself . The situation here is miserable and we do not have a voice , we are not listened to .”
Drukhshan said that in addition to a love of learning , her parents instilled a desire to serve in all their children .
“ My mother really wants me to serve the people ,” she said . “ One should do this because everyone has a need . [ CAI ] serves us by making the school . I should serve by helping the people improve themselves .” To that end , she hopes to become a doctor . “ I want to go to medical university . If I don ’ t get accepted , then I ’ m going to study economics ,” she said . “ But I really want to be a doctor , because being a doctor is very helpful to people who can ’ t treat their sickness . I want to work in Ishkashim or even in Pamir . I want to have a foundation so I can treat people without any fees . I am going to be there in future . I am .”
She faces hurdles . “ There is no scholarship for medical studies in Afghanistan ,” she said . And even now she ’ s not a big fan of homework , which she will be doing for another decade if she gets into medical school .
“ I hate homework . It ’ s the hardest thing ,” she said , laughing . “ Writing in notebooks is really boring — except for math .”
But she ’ s determined . She will finish school in December and take university entrance exams in January , she said . If she can get a scholarship and study abroad , she ’ d love to go that route . “ If not , I will continue my education inside the country .”
She said education is key to her future , and that of her community .
“ We are in a very poor community . My community people need help , and for myself , I also need help . I don ’ t want to be like this anymore . If I have education then I will have my own money and will not be costing everyone else . I want to get educated and be responsible about it .
“ Also we know that differences between educated and uneducated persons are many . Education is the best way to meet new people , travel to other countries and learn about the world and the beauty of life ,” she said .
She ’ s on her way . y
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