Help Educate Women & Girls in Afghanistan

Donor Impact: Increasing Literacy Rates & Technical Skills of Girls in Northern Afghanistan 

Afghanistan's youth are connected to the digital world just like kids anywhere. Except some are so mired in poverty that they can't find a way to be connected. That is where you come in. Your dollars have helped bridge that gap. The way to educate girls now -- with all the benefits of self-esteem, wider world views, family health, economic health -- is to introduce her to, and educate her in, the computer technology that will change her life and opportunities. Every contribution, small and large, fills the critical need to purchase computers and build out new centers that provide courses for girls to become computer literate. Tapping into technology changes opportunities and changes life's circumstances for each girl who has the ability to attend our centers.

Keyboarding to Change.

28,000 students, mostly girls, attend our schools in Northern Afghanistan. Final exams were administered in June and students are now on break until September. A year ago, however, something unusual began to happen: as we opened our first and then second computer center, we could not keep up with the demand for more computers, more teachers and more centers. It was remarkable. From mullahs to mothers, everyone wanted their daughters to be at the cutting edge of the keyboard. The future, according to the leaders of the community, was on the keyboard and the Ministry of Education agreed as they approached us asking to keep the centers open year-round. We responded with a commitment to raise funds to buy computers and open centers, hire teachers and keep girls in the seats that would expand their literacy to include computer certification courses too. Over 400 girls have graduated with certification credentials from our centers. 

A young woman visiting the computer center of one of our schools in the Balkh Province reports,

“This [computer literacy program] will help girls in their studies in school and also gives girls the opportunity to move beyond the boundaries, to learn beyond their textbooks. The more access to better educational facilities for girls, the more powerful our troop of educated girls will be. Connecting these girls to computers is connecting them to the world.”

Empowering Girls. Changing Lives. 

Your dollars have provided Afghan girls with access to the world at their fingertips. With new computers, these girls will be able to learn about national and international affairs, become connected to a global community, and empower themselves by strengthening their voices through social media platforms, as well as learn new technical skills required for employment. You have helped us meet the high demand for more computer literacy courses in our schools.

 Learning computer skills creates more educational and employment opportunities for Afghan girls and enables them to learn about other countries, such as the U.S., encouraging open-mindedness and respect for national and international cultural differences. 

 Doors of Opportunity

Donors have the power to open doors of opportunity for the girls in our schools, as these centers teach computer skills to girls, leading to a certification that makes them eligible for certain kinds of employment. Acquiring these technical skills will allow girls to become more economically independent, which increases their confidence, self-reliance, and status in their communities.

Computer course graduates are positioned better to take the Koncur exam, similar to our SAT exams that prepare them for entrace to universities in Afghanistan. From social media to family finances, the incentives for computer skill acquisition are enormous. Now, all the girls need is a keyboard in front of them and that is where you, our donors, come in. Thank you and keep it up. It truly makes a difference.

Educating 28,000 girls in Balkh Province, Northern Afghanistan has required a robust donor support system. You are part of that support. The power of your dollars helps provide ACCESS to education for girls ages 5-20 in 12 schools.

Harsh realities. Powerful Responses.

The harsh Afghan weather took a tool on the roof of one of our schools in Mazar-i-Sharif. Your dollars are helping repair that roof. The potential public health impact of mold and a leaking roof on 3,500 girls was apparent and our team on the ground took immediate action. Mold and dripping water was becoming apparent as the winter damage to the roof continued to affect the classrooms. The power of your donor dollars enabled staff to tackle the roof issue with the school principal and construction team and begin replacing the roof. Powerful and Quick Responses.

Changing Lives. Advocating for Girls.

Afghan culture requires that girls are taught by female teachers after primary school. ACCESS to education requires training female teachers and that is just what the power of your dollars has helped us do. Our teacher training program has graduated 365 women to go back into their communities and teach. Our rural village schools - 9 total -- employ women from this center and in turn keep girls in school. They mentor, model and educate girls. Powerful tools to change lives.

On behalf of the Afghan girls we serve and you support, thank you.