Zia Akbary understands the challenges Afghans face toget educated — hehas experienced many ofthem himself . Anative of Kandahar , he was 10 years old when Russian troops invaded his country , killing and kidnapping those who opposed the Communist regime . Around the time he was infifth grade , he says , the American-backed mujahideen |
— rebel guerilla groups — started burning down the schools . In 1989 , he fled to America , and was granted asylum .
But instead of never looking back , Akbary , a Totowa resident and owner of a jewelry store in Jersey City , has devoted himself to educating as many young Afghans as possible . Along with his daughter , Zarina , who is currently pursuing a Ph . D . in microbiology , he has founded Fardah
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Roshan (“ bright future ”) Academy , a nonprofit that since 2020 has set up a network of “ micro schools ” in private homes where women teach children ages 4-9 , with a 4:1 pupilto-instructor ratio . Akbary has also established libraries and computer labs in Kandahar .
“ Education is the best way to save a country ,” he says . “ It can open minds .” Here are 6things to know about Zia Akbary .
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TARIQ ZEHAWI |
8 FALL 2022 WAYNE MAGAZINE |