FACES OF CHANGE

Shakeeba, an eight-year old second grader, lives in Shina Masjeed village in Baghlan, Afghanistan. Until community-based education classes started in 2007, none of the children in her village had schooling. The closest government school was four hours away from their village. While some boys went to the village mosque to study religious subjects, there were no classes in basic subjects like reading and math.

All that changed when Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. started a program called Partnership for Advancing Community Education in Afghanistan. Classes began right in the village of Shina Masjeed after our Foundation talked with local elders and representatives and trained a local teacher. 

When Shakeeba started first grade, she was thrilled to attend school. On the first day of class she received textbooks, stationery and a school bag that she treasured dearly. Her teacher was very attentive to Shakeeba and all her classmates. Their strong enthusiasm to learn was very motivating to him. But after finishing first grade, Shakeeba's schooling came to an abrupt end. Her grandfather insisted that she stay at home and help out the family since her mother was ill.

After some time her mother recovered fully and Shakeeba asked if she could go back to school. Her grandfather told her, “Education is not important for girls. School is no place for girls. Instead, you should stay at home and help with the house work.” He was set in his ways and could not be persuaded. Shakeeba was very sad to see her friends continuing their education while she was forced to stay at home doing chores.

One day a representative from our Foundation along with Shakeeba’s teacher came to talk with her grandfather. In a long conversation over tea, the two explained to the grandfather how educated girls bring many benefits to the entire family as well as the next generation. The arguments were quite convincing and after much thoughtful discussion, the grandfather finally agreed to allow Shakeeba to return to school.

Grandfather realized the advantages of educating Shakeeba could help the family and the village in the long term.  Since the classes were held in the safety of their own community, he could no longer object to her going to school. The next week, Shakeeba returned to school and is happy that she can study with her classmates.

Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. is committed to improve access to quality education in Afghanistan. The Partnership for Advancing Community Education in Afghanistan is expanding education opportunities for girls and boys by providing classes closer to home. Many children in Afghanistan of school age are forced to stay at home because classes are too far away. The project trains local teachers in early childhood education and distributes learning materials to villages with no schools. 

Learn more about the Partnership for Advancing Community Education project here.