Journey of Hope Fall 2022 Journey of Hope Fall 2022 | Page 8

Photo : Lynzy Billing

“ We don ’ t want the Taliban to win .” communities , and the girls themselves . CAI is now working with its partners to expand these classes in 2023 to reach even more adolescent girls and help ensure their education and path to a better future are not taken away .

“ We ’ re slowly making inroads — one girl , one boy at a time ,” said Thomas . “ Positive change is possible if the population is educated .”
In 2022 CAI supported 191 community-based schools across five provinces , serving 5,700 children , primarily girls .
CAI ’ s 2023 goal is to expand the number of community-based schools to 242 and educate 7,500 Afghan children .
EDUCATION CHANGES A GIRL ’ S LIFE
Over the past 20 years , a whole generation of Afghan women have been educated . Their enormous contributions to their families ’ welfare and to Afghan society have led to a shift in public attitudes towards girls ’ education , and not just in urban areas . Data collected by UNESCO , World Health Organization , UNICEF , and other organizations show a remarkable improvement in the life outcomes of an educated girl and the choices she makes compared to her uneducated counterpart . Today , a large majority of Afghans — 87 % according to a 2019 survey by the Asia Foundation — support girls ’ education .
The ability to earn an income is one incentive for getting an education , but there are many more . An educated young woman marries later . She ’ s older when she has her first child , and she ’ s likely to have fewer children . Because she sees how much better her life is than the life of her uneducated mother , she is determined to send her own children to school , especially her daughters .
An educated mother can find work and earn income , which means the family has a place to live and food to eat . Her children are healthier . And when a child gets sick , the family can afford medical care . On every measure of quality of life , including health outcomes , personal safety , and economic indicators , educated girls surpass girls who never had the opportunity to go to school .
“ In a country riddled with chaos and poverty , education gives girls and women a fighting chance ,” said Thomas . “ It offers a ray of hope — a beacon pointing to a better life . Education gives girls and women the power to make their own decisions , earn income , and contribute to the well-being of their families , communities , and country .”
Give the gift of education ! A $ 100 donation sends an Afghan child to school for an entire year .
AT A TIME OF CRISIS , AFGHAN WOMEN PROVIDE HOPE AND INSPIRATION
“ Many things give me hope about Afghan women ,” said Duniya Stanikzai , former deputy director of Shining Star , one of CAI ’ s partners in Afghanistan . “ Afghan women are not the same as they were 20 years ago ; they have changed . Back then , women were silent and afraid and accepted whatever the Taliban said . Now they ’ re finding ways to create opportunities for themselves .
“ Girls in secondary school who can no longer attend classes due to the Taliban ’ s restrictions are learning online or in secret schools ,” said Stanikzai . “ That women are finding ways to work around the Taliban indicates how desperate they are to educate the daughters and adult women in the family . We don ’ t want the Taliban to win .”
CAI is committed to standing with Angiza , Stanikzai , and so many other courageous Afghan women and girls like them who are fighting for their lives . Never before has CAI played a more important role in their futures .
“ Education changes lives , protects futures , unites communities , and kindles hope ,” said Thomas . “ These are enormously challenging and deeply troublesome times for Afghanistan . But we ’ re adapting and adjusting our programs to provide education to youth . With your help , we will continue to give girls and women the one thing that no one , including the Taliban , can take from them : an education .” u
6 | JOURNEY OF HOPE CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE