and our partners going — determined to do whatever we possibly can to keep hope alive for women and girls .
One of the most important things we can do is to provide education to primary school children , particularly young girls living in the most remote parts of Afghanistan . With the help of our donors , CAI continues to open and support community-based schools — local facilities in small rural villages that are converted into classrooms .
In 2023 , we helped establish 252 classrooms , including providing furnishings and learning materials like pens , pencils , and notebooks . Through these schools , we ’ ve helped 7,700 primary school students — 5,360 of them girls — get an education . We ’ ve also offered essential training to 191 women and 72 men to teach at these schools , giving them opportunities they would not have had otherwise .
One of our partners in this critical effort is WADAN , a local NGO that has been working to bring educational opportunities to all 34 provinces of Afghanistan for close to 20 years . With CAI support , WADAN currently supports 93 community-based schools in Badakhshan province in the country ’ s mountainous northeast . WADAN recently visited several of these schools to hear from teachers , students , and families .
CHILDREN EXHIBIT AN EXTRAORDINARY DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS
Anas is a young boy from the village of Dehqan Khana who wants to grow up to be an engineer . While he is grateful for his school and the chance to learn , he is cognizant of all the children in his country who don ’ t have the same opportunity . “ We request from WADAN that it increase the number of schools , so uneducated people can study ,” he said .
This little boy isn ’ t the only child with an impressive grasp of the needs of others and the desire to help his fellow community members . Several boys say they want their older sisters and female friends to be able to study as well . And many of the young people — boys and girls alike — express the desire of becoming a doctor .
“ When I first joined this class , I couldn ' t read or write , but now I ' ve learned and made wonderful friends ,” said Farzaneh . “ I aspire to become a doctor and serve my community , as there are no clinics or doctors in our area , and people are in need .”
Some harbor the dream of becoming a teacher , so they can pass on their knowledge to their community . Zakia was able to fulfill that dream and is currently working as a teacher at a WADAN school .
“ I ' ve been teaching for two years , fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher to pass on knowledge ,” said Zakia . “ Afghanistan ' s situation is challenging due to ongoing conflict , but education offers hope for a brighter future . We hope the gates to girls ' education will reopen , as it increases literacy rates and empowers girls to graduate from schools and universities .”
Another teacher , Basira Ahmadi , echoes that sentiment . “ This marks my second year of teaching at the school , and I ' m delighted to see my students ' progress ,” she said . “ I aim to be a successful contributor to society . I call on the international community to support girls ' education , and I urge the government of the Islamic Emirate to provide education for girls . Many children still lack access to education , and I hope the WADAN office can establish more schools .”
The people of these villages are keenly aware of all they have lost , and they yearn to give women and girls the opportunities they once had . But they have not let their struggles and disappointment darken their hopes and dreams . They continue to take advantage of the community schools they do have , and to pursue the educational careers available to them .
They ask the international community — those who care about their plight and recognize the value of education — not to lose hope either . The people of Afghanistan are counting on all of us to continue providing support , so that one day , they can restore their rights and freedoms and fully achieve their dreams . •
1 https :// www . washingtonpost . com / world / 2023 / 07 / 07 / afghanistan-women-girls-mental-health / 2023-2024 JOURNEY OF HOPE | 5