GlobalGiving.org: Train Effective Afghan Teachers

More Teachers Trained

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:02:25 GMT

From January through September of this year, 1,266 teachers have been trained by the staff of the Afghan Institute of Learning. In addition to the Technique Seminars, where they learn the hands-on methodologies of teaching, the teachers are attending workshops and seminars sponsored by AIL. Topics that these teachers have studied include Health, Democracy, Peace, Leadership and others.

Here is what one of those teachers had to say:

“I am one of the teachers of this school. Since I have taken AIL’s seminar, I can feel changes in my teaching methods because I am getting very good input from my students and I am very much glad and satisfied. AIL’s seminar teaches us how to use available and natural materials for our lessons and how to stimulate students and how to get a student to participate in the class work such as group work and asking questions. Through which the students can take the lesson easily and comprehensively and also I learned how to make plans (annual plans, monthly plans and daily plans) so a teacher can be successful by having plans.”

Teacher Training Continues

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:28:42 GMT

For the period of June through August, 2011, another 160 Afghan Teachers attended the Afghan Institute of Learning’s Ten Day Technique Seminar. During this seminar, they ` learn about many different topics such as the good characteristics of a teacher, lesson planning, class arrangements, principles of teaching, psychology, grading and problem solving. The master teacher trainers use question and answer, role playing, group work, and individual work in order to interact with the teachers and keep them interested in the topics and learning different teaching principles to take back to their class rooms. When they leave this seminar, they are far better prepared to interact with their students and to get the students involved in the class. For years, the teachers in Afghanistan have used the rote memorization method in the classroom. AIL is changing this so that the students will learn critical thinking skills.

Another AIL Project, “Transform Lives of 70,000 Afghan Adolescent Girls” has been chosen to be part of the Girl Effect Challenge, which runs from October 15 through November 15, 2011. Approximately 60 projects have been included in this challenge. The top six projects with the highest number of unique donations will become part of the Girl Effect Fund for one year and each is expected to earn an additional $25,000. Please check out our project #8791, and thank you for your generous support of our programs!

Subject matters of teacher training are expanding

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:07:37 GMT

AIL’s Teacher Training Program has trained an additional 369 teachers through their Technique Seminars from January through May of this year. Teachers are also attending workshops in other subjects such as decision making, peace, self-esteem, environment, ethics, writing effective lesson plans, report writing, leadership, teaching principles, teaching methods, psychology and others.

A Teacher's View

AIL Staff — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:25:12 GMT

A teacher of three years attended a technique seminar which was given by AIL and learned many new teaching methods that are very useful for the students. She said, “A monitor from the Ministry of Education came into my classroom, saw my materials and charts, was very impressed with my teaching techniques and how my students were learning and asked where I learned them. I told him that I learned them from AIL.”

Five Reasons to Celebrate

Toc Dunlap — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:59:16 GMT

Five Reasons to Celebrate

The year 2010 has been one of many challenges for people throughout the world. In Afghanistan, insecurity, violence, and poverty continue to threaten communities. But the people of Afghanistan are strong and hopeful, and they are working hard to overcome these challenges. At the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), we see it every day. You can help Afghans, particularly women and children, to create a better future for themselves and their families with a contribution to AIL through Global Giving.

Looking back upon the year, what we focus on are our reasons to celebrate.

As a generous donor to AIL, you are a gift to us and to the people of Afghanistan. We thank you and they thank you!!!

In fact, you make all of the other reasons to celebrate possible. Here is the rest of AIL’s top five reasons to celebrate in 2010:

Fatima’s story. Fatima is 22 is and has just graduated from Herat University and come to work with AIL. As a young girl, her school was closed by the Taliban. She continued studying in one of AIL’s underground home schools and in 2002, reentered high school, graduated and went on to university. Today, her dream, we are humbled to learn, is to work for AIL. She said, “AIL works for people, AIL helps needy people and AIL works among people. Also AIL’s wish is that Afghan woman and girls can support themselves and their families so the Afghan woman and girls are interested in this project.”

Each of the more than 7.9 million people (70% female) who have participated in AIL’s programs since 1996 is a reason to celebrate. In spite of many challenges, they have chosen to improve their lives and their communities by attending AIL’s Teacher Training, Learning Centers, workshops, and schools; seeking health care and health education at AIL’s health clinics; or receiving AIL’s Community Health Workers into their homes.

AIL’s new gynecological and surgical hospital opened in October 2010. It is the only private women’s hospital in Herat province. To keep the reasons to celebrate continuing, fees paid by patients who can afford them will eventually help subsidize AIL’s services at community-based clinics.

The Cultural Association Center, a new Learning Center AIL opened in April 2010, located in a rural area about 50 km from Herat City. The people of the area are very poor and primarily illiterate. The community learned about AIL’s ability to help them offer educational opportunities to their citizens and worked together to build a small facility. Although all communities are involved in the establishment and sustainability of their centers, this rural area was able to rally its citizens to make this project a success. Through November, nearly 300 students, all of them female, have attended courses at the Center. Subjects included Arabic, Tailoring/Sewing, Math, and Literacy.

Your renewed support will help AIL and the Afghan people start 2011 with renewed hope. If you have not yet renewed your support for AIL, please donate today and tell a friend. Thank you and best wishes.

Grateful and Undaunted

Sakena Yacoobi — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:47:22 GMT

Grateful and Undaunted

At this time of year, we are reminded of our many blessings and how the people in our lives enrich us and bring joy to every day. All of us at the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) are especially grateful to you, for your generous support of our efforts to help the people of Afghanistan overcome many challenges: women are emerging from the darkness of illiteracy to a bright and hopeful future; rural Afghan villages are being empowered to provide education and health care for their children – boys and girls; young men and boys who were part of the violence are finding a reason to believe in peace. All of this and much more is possible because of your contribution. Thank you!

As you celebrate this Holiday Season and anticipate the approach of the New Year, we hope that you will think of us again and make another donation to help ensure AIL is able to continue our work. You have most likely heard that Afghanistan continues to suffer terrible insecurity and poverty. But AIL is undaunted by the headlines because we know that the people of Afghanistan are working hard every day to improve their lives and the future of their country. Together with the people of Afghanistan, we are confident because we know that people like you believe in us and stand by us.

When you make your donation, check out the Tribute Card and Gift Card options – and please tell a friend about AIL and encourage them to make a donation too.

No matter what our circumstances today, when we believe in each other and work together, we can be assured that tomorrow will be better. Seasons Greetings and thank you again.

Sakena Yacoobi

AIL Executive Director

Update

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:57:51 GMT

Following is a story from one of the teachers trained by the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) training staff.

“I am one of the teachers in a school where AIL has trained the teachers. Since I have taken AIL’s seminar, I can feel changes in my teaching methods because I am getting very good input from my students and I am very glad and satisfied. AIL’s seminar teaches us how to use available and natural materials for our lessons and how to stimulate students and how to get a student to participate in the class work such as group work and asking questions. Through these methods, the students can take the lessons easily and comprehensively and also I learned how to make plans (annual plans, monthly plans and daily plans) so a teacher can be successful because of having plans.”

Summer Update 2010

Sondra Johnson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:37:46 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning regularly holds education workshops and seminars for Afghan teachers to upgrade their training and teaching skills. In the first half of 2010, AIL trained 704 teachers in pedagogy, health and leadership skills.

At a pre-school training seminar held April in Kabul, one teacher said “I have enough work experience in Kindergarten, but I didn’t use these methods and materials which makes the lessons interesting. Lots of materials were available and I didn’t know how to present the lessons in a convenient way to the students. Now I know how to use the lesson materials with the help of this Seminar.”

Another participant said “It has been long time since I worked with a Kindergarten class. I wasn’t acquainted with the new teaching techniques, methods of using lesson materials and organized lesson plans. Now I’ve learned all kinds of better teaching techniques and i will apply them.”

Summer Update from the Afghan Institute of Learning

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:31:26 GMT

We’d like to share some great news with you that will give you a better understanding of our project and the work we do in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Through the generosity of the Skoll Foundation, a timely video was produced about life in Afghanistan and the work AIL is doing to make a difference. The film producer and crew did a beautiful job capturing the essence of the best of the Afghan people, and the struggles they work with to achieve a better life. This film is now on YouTube, and it will be the best seven minutes you spend today. Moderated by Sakena Yacoobi, AIL’s executive director, this video offers a true taste of Afghanistan. Here’s the link to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t1Xu_MwHg We are also adding this as a permanent link to this project for future viewing. Your donation makes a precious impact on the lives of Afghan men, women and children. We thank you for your past support, and encourage you to forward this message to those who can help to continue this important work.

A reminder: June 16 is a special Global Giving Matching Day! - GlobalGiving will be matching all donations up to $1,000 per donor per project for this project at a 50% match. If you could like to donate again to our project, your donation will go further on June 16th. Thank you for your support….

Links:

Wonderful Video about AIL and Life in Afghanistan

Spring Update

Sondra Johnson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:13:41 GMT

During 2009 the Afghan Institute of Learning held 91 education workshops and seminars for a total of 1846 participants. About 71% of those attending these education training sessions were women. Fahima a participant in the teacher health workshop, says “All the subjects were interesting, especially Tetanus because we are living an unhealthy environment. Tetanus can transfer immediately because the environment is dusty and unhealthy. Everyone must vaccine themselves, especially women who are between 15-45, to prevent a dangerous illness. Today I will inform every student and all my friends to take the tetanus vaccine to be safe from this disease. And I will convey all the topics the trainers taught us to my students to prevent them from dangerous diseases.” Other AIL Accomplishments in 2009 included: • AIL trained over 1,800 Afghan teachers in pedagogy subjects, leadership, human rights, and school health. These teachers went to their classes and directly impacted over 500,000 students teaching these important subjects. • Nearly 23,000 students (primarily women and children) attended classes at AIL educational learning centers. • Over 362,000 Afghans received medical treatment and health education from AIL’s 6 health clinics and community health worker program. • In January 2010, AIL expanded humanitarian aid efforts with the harsh winter and reached out to 22 families in need. AIL staff delivered to each family quantities of rice, cooking oil and tea. Most heads of the family were widows with children from Herat, and were recommended by community members. • In February 2010, flooding in the Enjil district of Herat destroyed many family homes, and AIL responded with a concerted effort of initial food aid. Reminder: On March 16, 2010, GlobalGiving will be matching all donations made to any project on www.globalgiving.org by 30% (up to $1,000 per person)! If you could like to donate again to our project, your donation will go further on March 16th!!!

An invitation to read our newsletter

Sondra Johnson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:42:31 GMT

Afghanistan is in the news a lot these days. As a donor to a project in Afghanistan, you may be wondering if change is happening, and if your donation really makes any difference. Following is a message from Dr. Sakena Yacoobi that answers your questions. It’s part of our annual newsletter, where we also share progress reports from several areas, and the impact AIL’s work is having in Afghan lives. This newsletter is below in a PDF format; we invite you to click on it and read ALL the details……

From Sakena Yacoobi: First, I want to thank all of you for supporting the work of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL). Your support is so important. Yes, the funds you send help us to bring education and health to so many Afghan women and children. But, more importantly, in this time of increasing violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, your support helps Afghans to know that they are not forgotten. It gives ordinary Afghan women, men and children the courage to keep studying, to keep going to clinics and to keep working for peace.

Today you probably hear that Afghanistan is a place of war, terrorist bombings, burning of schools, kidnapping, drugs and all kinds of other horrible things. And it is true that in every province of Afghanistan, including the capitol, every single day, these kinds of things are happening. But what you might not hear in your news is that everyday many women, men and children of Afghanistan get up in the morning….. say goodbye to their family…..and go to work….. go to schools and centers ….. go to trainings……because they know that they must be educated. They know that the only way they can stop these problems is to be educated. So they are learning, they are teaching and they are not afraid.

And when there is no electricity or no clean water or no school or no road or no job and there is no help from the national government or the international agencies, Afghans, particularly women, are joining together in community or with their local officials to find ways to solve their own problems. And, with your help, AIL is helping them to do this. I want to let you know that as dark as it seems to be in Afghanistan now, much is happening. Afghans, themselves, are changing. They are educating themselves; they are making sure that their children are educated; they are finding new ways to solve their problems. I would ask you to walk with us a little further on our journey towards peace.

TO READ the rest of our annual newsletter, please click on the PDF link below and it will open for your inspection-

Attachments:

2009 Newsletter (PDF)

A Special Giving Opportunity.....

Sondra Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:56:58 GMT

Thank you for your support. Your desire to make a difference in this world has made a difference, and we are so thankful that Afghan people have had their lives changed with your help.

We wanted to share with you a very special opportunity to give more than 100% from November 10 through December 1st. Please share this with those you know who care. During this time, we are privileged to receive additional matching funds from your donation through Global Giving of at least 30%. The need is still great. Afghanistan struggles to become a country of strength and stability.

A teacher who took a recent Training Techniques class shared, “ I was not confident in my class with my students; also I was not able to solve the problems of students. I was only giving the students notes and using a lecture method to teach them, which did not work. Now I understand how to teach with the students participating, which allows the students to learn better.” The training of a teacher brings an enormous impact in student education. In a three month period including July through the end of September, the Afghan Institute of Learning trained 101 teachers in subject ranging from class techniques to lesson planning and health concerns. Within a year’s time, a teacher easily trains 30 students. With these 101 teachers, AIL has impacted the lives of 3030 students in the next year with improved education.

Sakena Wishes to Thank Her Supporters

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:08:50 GMT

There's a new focus on women worldwide. The New York Times magazine dedicated their entire issue one week in August on women in the developing world. Of particular focus was a newly launched book written by the well-known Pulitzer winning couple Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl DuWunn titled: "Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide". The press focus on this timely book is significant- from reviews in Harvard and People magazine, to upcoming segments on shows like "The Today Show", the time has come for women and their issues worldwide to be in the spotlight.

Sakena Yacoobi and her organization the Afghan Institute of Learning is one of the topics in Chapter Nine of the book. Dr. Yacoobi grew up in Herat, Afghanistan and then came to the United States to study at the University of the Pacific and Loma Linda University. Concerned about the condition of her people back in Afghanistan, Sakena returned to Pakistan to work in Afghan refugee camps and later went to Afghanistan. Although the Taliban forbade girls from getting an education in Afghanistan, Sakena was instrumental in establishing a string of secret girls schools with community support.

Today, the Afghan Institute of Learning has multiple education programs in Pakistan and in seven provinces of Afghanistan. There are educational learning centers for women and children, preschool programs, post-secondary institutes, a university, and teacher training programs. In addition, AIL has an in-depth program of health education and treatment for women and small children. Since its start in 1995, AIL has trained nearly 16,000 teachers and over 3.5 million women and children have received a quality education. With the health programs included, AIL has directly impacted over 6.7 million Afghans.

Sakena has been and continues to be recognized for her work. Her philosophy is to develop a program from the grass-roots level so the community members are an integral part of the process. State Kristof and DuWunn in their book Half The Sky- "American organizations would have accomplished much more if they had financed and supported Sakena, rather than dispatching their own representatives to Kabul...The best role for Americans who want to help Muslim women isn't holding the microphone at the front of the rally, but writing the checks and carrying the bags in the back."

Dr. Yacoobi and the work of the Afghan Institute of Learning have been supported by multiple grantors and organizations over the years. "I wish to thank everyone who has helped in this important work," states Sakena. "I want to share with each and every contributor the joy of seeing a young woman, who has a renewed interest in life because she can now read, or the happiness of a widow who has learned a skill that will allow her to support her children.

"We now have children who are healthy because of inoculations, and women who did not die during childbirth who have happy, healthy babies. My wish is that these small steps that allow awareness and growth in families will lead to the growth of our country."

Recently, we spoke with Sakena, and she has this message to all the supporters of AIL:

"It is an honor to be included in Nicholas' and Sheryl's book Half The Sky. So many foundations and individuals have contributed to the work that the Afghan Institute of Learning has been able to do in Afghanistan.

"From the bottom of my heart I want to thank all who have understood the plight of Afghan women and children, and have reached out with compassionate, caring support.

"May God reward your generosity......."

Sakena

August 2009 Update

Alison Hendry — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:08:37 GMT

Recently, AIL was asked by the Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs to report on the impact AIL’s programs have had. We were amazed by our findings. Since beginning in 1996 through May 2009, 220,970 Afghans have been educated and received skills training in AIL schools, centers and post-secondary programs. Over 16,000 teachers (more than 70% female) have received pedagogy or capacity-building training and have gone back to their classrooms to provide a higher quality education to more than 3.4 million students. Overall 6,778,026 Afghan lives have been directly impacted by AIL programs.

In Afghanistan most teachers instruct students using rote memorization as their only method. The students are rarely taught critical thinking skills, skills which are necessary for the future of their society. AIL is working to change this by hosting workshops where teachers can learn how to use critical thinking in their classrooms, as well as how to plan lessons, organize their classrooms and much more. During the first 6 months of 2009, AIL has trained 746 teachers in such workshops. Assuming these teachers each teach 30 children (usually teachers in Afghanistan teach more than 30 children), AIL has helped 22,380 students receive a higher quality education thanks to your donations.

One teacher trained in AIL workshops had this to say, “I am a third grade math teacher. The students are so young that they get tired quickly and cannot learn everything they need to learn. During this workshop, I learned how to make math interesting for my students. I learned how to make them active during class using group work and competitions as well as how to use different materials during my lessons.”

May 2009 Update

Alison Hendry — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:16:52 GMT

Teachers participating in a recent AIL “Teaching Literacy” seminar had the following to say about their experiences:

One teacher said, “There have been so many changes in myself, I can’t believe it. I now understand that the method I was using to teach my class was wrong. I didn’t teach my students regularly because I didn’t know the best teaching methods. Now I have learned how to stand in front of the class, and how to teach my students confidently. I have learned that having a lesson plan and having it all together can improve the level of my students.”

Another participant said, “Although I have been teaching literacy courses for about three years, my teaching was just reading and having my students repeat after me. I didn’t know how to have the students actively participate, I just lectured in front of the class. Now I understand that I must have lesson plans, how to use the student centered methods and how to teach different subjects to my students. I hope this will help me teach the students well and help society.”

Update on AIL Teacher Training Program

Alison Hendry — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:04:19 GMT

During 2008 the Afghan Institute of Learning held 96 education workshops and seminars for a total of 1448 participants. About 80% of those attending these education training sessions were women.

At a recent pedagogy seminar, teachers in attendance were asked what they learned from attending the seminar. Here is a sampling of what they had to say:

“We plan to use what we have learned and practiced here in our classrooms. We learned that one lesson could be taught using many different methods. We learned how to plan a lesson, how to specify the duration and steps of a lesson. Also, we learned how to begin and end a lesson.” “We learned that a good quality teacher has responsibilities beyond just teaching; they also must establish a good relationship with their students.” “During our psychology lesson, we learned that we must understand our students and their problems. From this understanding, we have to find a way to solve their problems. “ “While discussing exams, we learned what they are, what their purpose is and the differences between exams and evaluations. We also learned how to make a question sheet, and answer key. “ “We learned how to prepare materials for the lessons we want to teach, and we came to understand that students must be the center of everything we do as teachers.”

2008 Snapshot of Teacher Training Program

Alison Hendry — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:07:11 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) continues to make training teachers a priority. AIL has now trained over 14,000 teachers. Thus far in 2008, AIL has trained 263 teachers in AIL’s intensive, one-month, foundational pedagogy seminar and has trained 356 teachers in various workshops.

Feedback from participants in pedagogy seminars in Herat included the following comments:

Wazir, one of the participants says, “Before I came to this seminar I would write the whole lesson on the blackboard, and then explain it to the students. The class was always centered on the teacher. From this seminar I learned that students must be center of the activities.”

One of the participants that used the seminar’s methods in her classroom says, “As I used the methods in my class room I saw that the atmosphere of the class was completely changed. The students paid attention to the lesson and they took part in the activities and I really enjoyed teaching them. Her students asked her why she has not used these methods before she told them that she learnt it from AIL seminar and from now she will teach them in the same way.”

At the graduation ceremony for the seminar, Sima Shir Mohammadi head of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs spoke. She compared AIL with other organizations and said that AIL had the best educational and health programs for women and they really help the women to increase their knowledge and capacity through the trainings. She added “I know some organizations get a great deal of funding from donors for women’s projects but do nothing and waste the money. AIL runs big projects with less funds I must thank AIL. The women have been trained by AIL do good work in their jobs.”

Update on Teaching Afghan Children to Think—August 2007

Toc Dunlap — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:24:15 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) continues to make training teachers a priority. AIL has now trained over 12,000 teachers. Thus far in 2007, AIL has trained 274 teachers in AIL’s intensive, one-month, foundational pedagogy seminar and has trained 347 teachers in various workshops. 18,630 students will benefit from a higher quality education from the training of their teachers.

Feedback from just one of the pedagogy seminars in Herat included the following comments:

• In a radio interview, the deputy of the Herat Ministry of Education praised AIL’s seminar and said, “AIL’s seminar is the best because it is for 20 days and it has a positive effect on the teachers and they can learn many useful methods during these days.”

• The participants found making a lesson plan very important because they did not know how to write one previously. They also greatly appreciated learning how to keep records of examination results. Of the techniques they learned, they found the question and answer method most useful because it activates the students and gets them to think.

• The teachers were taking the seminar while classes were in session. They reported that when they returned to their classrooms and practiced the methods they learned in the seminar, there were positive changes in the students and the students became more interested in their studies. They were surprised and pleased by this and said they would continue using the new methods because it made their students more interested.

Update

Afghan Institute of Learning — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 19:05:08 GMT

Creating Hope International shares this mid-year report from the Afghan Institute of Learning, highlighting some of AIL's recent successes!

Attachments:

Afghan Institute of Learning Report (DOC)