Let Afghan Girls Learn and Earn
A project to help with educating and employing Afghan females.
| Project Title | Let Afghan Girls Learn and Earn |
|---|---|
| Year | 2023 |
| Location | Kabul |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Genre | Education |
| Lead Name(s) | Sevara & Nargis Mayel |
| School(s) | Li Po Chun UWC |
| Value | $1000 |
| Project Report |
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Background
Starting with the selection of students and teachers, to minimise risk, we tried to use personal connection however it was not easy to ask for such help while minimising the risk. That is why we took the time to slowly but effectively opt teachers so that we are not contradicting any laws or disturbing safety.
The next challenge was providing the materials for the teachers because we wanted a thorough and effective syllabus for a short period of time and hence we spent many hours consulting and gathering notes from one of the Mathematics teachers in Kabul.
The other challenge was not enough planning in case of unpredictable situations, for instance one of the teachers, after the selection process, faced an issue inhibiting her from teaching in which case we had to contact another teacher immediately to replace the position.
Of the challenges throughout this project, safety was a main concern and practise for us, teachers and the students.
How the Funding Was Used
To pay for teachers and materials
How They Made A Difference
We managed to include more than 25 students in the project with different backgrounds specialising their economic background and their passion and some of our teachers took the initiative to teach beyond their capacity to more students and use different techniques to better educate their students. The project assisted many teachers not only to find a job and provide income for their families but also it was also an escape from long, sickening days of joblessness minimising the risk of being afflicted with mental health issues as you may find in their statements below.
At the end of the project, we met our target of running a pilot project for girls education considering safety, minimising risk, and empowering female students and educators. We provided a basic knowledge of two subjects for our students as a base to extend the project, part of our aim which we are still working towards.
Some comments from people involved in this project:
“I am an English teacher in the “Let Afghan Girls Learn and Earn” project. This has been the best and most enjoyable experience of my career. I am sincerely grateful to the sponsors for their support, which helped us academically and financially. The project provided us with teaching materials and supported students with their stationary needs, contributing to a successful period”.
“During my time as an English teacher with LAGLAE (Let Afghans Learn and Earn), I had an amazing and heart-touching experience. In Afghanistan, where education is denied to girls, I had the privilege of teaching five bright girls from my neighbourhood”.
“I have witnessed remarkable growth in my students. Initially struggling with grammar and sentence structure, they have made significant progress through consistent practice and instruction. Their confidence has soared as they express themselves more comfortably in English”.
How The Project Made A Difference for the Volunteers
However, despite the difficulties we have faced, what made the project special was the way it helped us enhance our personal growth, create job opportunities for our teachers and boost the knowledge of our students. The feedback we received from our team was brilliant as they found the project inspiring just like a glimmer of light amidst darkness. We all knew the project as a sense of hope and as a source of energy to keep assisting the affected girls in Afghanistan.
“Throughout this experience, I learned the importance of teamwork and making weighted decisions to ensure teachers’ safety. Working collaboratively, we combined our knowledge and perspectives to make informed choices. I also improved my communication skills, realizing its vital role in fostering understanding and problem-solving within a team.
Moreover, I recognized the significance of taking action when witnessing concerning situations, rather than ignoring them. I embraced the value of making education accessible to everyone, advocating for equal opportunities and removing barriers. This experience has contributed to my personal growth, equipping me with valuable skills that I will continue to apply in creating safer, more inclusive educational environments.” Sevara
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” they say. Starting this project was a huge initiative in my life itself and further implementing the project especially in person had me realising the importance of education and taking initiative to help other people. Working with 6 different people has enabled me to appreciate the ease of teamwork while learning the skills to manage working in a team and moving forward as a team.
Running the project I noticed the difficulties of managing a project but learnt to plan well with the help of my team as we were moving forward through healthy communication and comprehending each other.
Additionally, I couldn’t fathom how significant it is to apply most of the things I learned in the textbooks and solve real world issues to the best of my ability. I was able to continue the cycle of generosity just as Sevara and I were given the opportunity to run the project in the first place. Therefore, I find the burning passion in me to be committed to making a difference in the world even if it is through small actions. “ Nargis
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After all, we learned that taking unpredictable situations into consideration saves much time and effort and makes the experience less chaotic.