GlobalGiving.org: Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women in Herat

A Great Number of Women Reached

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:06:34 GMT

Nearly 6,400 women have studied at Learning Centers in Herat this year alone. Subjects they have covered include Arabic, Literacy, Sewing, Carpet Weaving, English, Computer, Beautician, Physics, Math, Embroidery and Painting.

One student, from Zainabia had this to say:

“I am 35 years old. I have three children before that I came in course I was an illiterate woman. I said for myself I wish I could study in order to development of Afghanistan so, I started my effort and struggle to learn in Zainabia center in literacy class. My teacher is a kind woman also I try hard and study my lessons carefully. Right now I am in eleven class in the governmental school and the next year I will be graduate in high school. I wish to be a good teacher in future and I should help our society. I am thankful for AIL that always works for capacity building of the people.”

Two Additional Learning Centers Opened

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:06:23 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning has opened two additional Learning Centers in Herat to serve women and girls. One center was requested in a small community called Bagh Nazargah on the east side of Herat City. The community is providing the housing for the Center and AIL is providing the salary of the teacher. In the first month, the Center had 20 female students with one teacher for 17 students studying sewing and 3 studying Arabic.

Another, larger language and computer center, was opened in the afternoon at a private school at the request of the community in Sufiabad, a village within greater Herat City. During the first month, 76 of the 114 students were female studying literacy, English and math. Once the students learn English, they can begin to study computer.

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!

Learning Centers are reaching so many women

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:59:21 GMT

In May of this year, 3,359 females were studying in the eleven AIL Herat rural learning centers that were operating that month. Academic subjects included Literature, English, Physics, Math, Science and other language courses. Specialty skill classes were also held, including sewing, carpet weaving, a beautician’s course, embroidery and painting.

One young woman attending a center in Jabreel had this to say: “I am 15 years old and I like to learn English because this is an international language. I try to learn this vital language. I should mention there is one best learning place and that is Jabreel center. I learned English from this center thanks to AIL staff.“

Masuma's Story

AIL Staff — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:00:02 GMT

Masuma, a student studying in one of AIL’s Rural Learning Centers in Herat, shared her story with us, “I am fifty years old and I have six children. I have always wanted to learn how to read. One of my friends told me to attend one of AIL’s centers and take a class in Arabic. I took the class and now I can read fluently. I am so thankful for AIL.”

AIL believes that it is never too late!!!!

Five Reasons to Celebrate

Toc Dunlap — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:50:47 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 18:32:01 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. Through education, teacher training, health care programs, and emergency assistance, as one woman put it, “… AIL is like an experienced mother in our society who is here to get more information to the women of Afghanistan.” We are able to serve that vital role – for the women, men, and children of Afghanistan – 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. As AIL’s founder and executive director, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi has said, “Reach out to others and give a gift to yourself.”

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 14:05:08 GMT

Following is a story of a woman who has been helped by one of the Afghan Institute of Learning’s centers in Herat Province:

“I am 35 years old. I had three children before I came to this course. I was an illiterate woman. I said to myself, “I wish I could study in order to help the development of Afghanistan so, I started my efforts and struggled for learning in AIL’s center in a literacy class. My teacher is a kind woman; also I try hard and study my lessons carefully. Right now I am in eleventh class in the governmental school and the next year I will be graduating from high school. I wish to be a good teacher in the future and I should help our society. I am thankful for AIL that always works for capacity building of the people.

Summer Update 2010

Sondra Johnson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:42:50 GMT

Looking at the first six months of 2010, the Afghan Institute of Learning has 9 active Education Learning Centers for rural Afghan women in Herat. Two new centers opened in April. 4,734 students of all ages come to these learning centers to become educated in such subjects as literacy, language, sewing and tailoring, computers, carpet weaving, English, math, beauty shop management, miniature painting, embroidery, macramé, Arabic, Pushto, and engraving.

Students and teachers at three of the centers had the opportunity to attend workshops on women’s health and democracy.

Here is a story from one of the sewing students at the Sar Asia learning center: “I was born in an illiterate family. My family didn’t want me to study until I came here. I hope that one day I will become a good tailor in my society for the servicing of my people. Afghanistan women, as you know, are suffering many pains right to have the need to help. I think I should work hard in my society because my country needs to reconstruct. Thanks for AIL who help the people of my village.”

Summer Update from the Afghan Institute of Learning

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:55:14 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 15:06:08 GMT

During 2009 AIL served 6161 females in women's learning centers in Herat. They were educated in many subjects including literacy, sewing, art, embroidery, beautician skills, computer skills, Arabic, English, literacy, math and physics. 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. Here’s a story from one of the women who has benefitted from AIL education: ”I found out about the AIL center in Jabraeel. This center was ideal for me because it has a good system of teaching and good quality results. I got admitted in the tailoring course. I finished the course, and according to the manager’s advice, I started the advanced course of tailoring. By completing this course, I became a professional tailor. I have a lot of customers and I work up to midnight to sew my customer’s dresses on time. I also have a contract with the market and sew their products according to their order. Before I came to the AIL center, I was a disappointed person and I used to think I could not do anything for my family. What I am now is because of the AIL center in our area.” 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!!!

Why our funding goal has increaed

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:59:51 GMT

Dear donors to the ‘Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women in Herat:

We want to sincerely thank you for your many donations to this important project in Afghanistan. Our original goal was to reach $20,000.00, and we are nearly at that goal. However, due to the ongoing needs in Afghanistan, there is a still critical demand to offer education choices for Afghan women that live in remote rural areas. Giving these women the opportunity to become literate, get an education and learn skills to make a living is essential for a strong family and community.

We have increased our funding goal to $30,000.00 to address this ongoing need. The Afghan Institute of Learning and Creating Hope International have used your donated funds to establish and continue the classes in several of our educational learning centers. Students are learning to read and have gone on to other subjects such as math, science, and computer technology. Women are learning skills like tailoring to help their families and earn an income. In all our classes we also discuss human rights, democratic principles and peace. Your donations have, and will, continue to allow rural Afghan women a chance to improve and grow.

Thank you again for all your support.

An invitation to read our newsletter

Sondra Johnson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:47:46 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)

Special Giving Opportunity

Sondra Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:48:00 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.

Here are 2 stories that share the impact of your donation in the life of a rural Afghan woman in the province of Herat:

“My name is Fatima. I am 13 years old, and I live in a poor family in Jaghara. I didn’t go to school because we had little money. I felt so unhappy, because other girls my age were literate- they can read and they can write, and I couldn’t. My friend Ruqia said that there are literacy classes for girls at the Mohammadia center, so I told to my parents about it. Fortunately they agreed that I could go. Now it is about six months that I am studying in this center, and I am happy that I can read and write. The teachers are good and they help me practice my lessons with me. I want to thank AIL that opened such a center in our village.”

Homa is 20 years old and is a tailoring trainer. She has a workshop at her house and sews for her family and also the neighbors’ dresses. She is happy that AIL could help her to be literate and a trainer to train others. She says, “I am so happy because economically I am self sufficient and can help my family with my income. She adds “this lesson of leadership I learned from AIL, and I appreciate that this organization helps women to have self confidence.”

Sakena Wishes to Thank Her Supporters

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:14:31 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 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:41:19 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 in AIL schools, centers and post-secondary programs and overall 6,778,026 Afghan lives have been directly impacted by AIL programs.

We recently estimated that since beginning Women’s Learning Centers in Afghanistan and Pakistan approximately 220,970 people have taken classes in them. During 2008 AIL’s WLCs in Herat, Afghanistan held classes for 7,080 Afghans of which 5,242 (74%) were women. Since the beginning of 2009, the WLC’s have helped to educate 4,263 people of which 3,153 (74%) were women. AIL is very excited about the nearly 10% increase in students from this time last year.

In the WLC’s, AIL offers classes in subjects such as sewing and tailoring, literacy, English, computers, miniature painting, embroidery, beautician, math, painting, preschool, Pashto, and carpet weaving.

We’d like to share with you a few success stories from our centers, success stories that your donations made possible.

Mariam returned to Afghanistan from Iran a few years ago. Since returning, she has faced many problems including unemployment because she was illiterate. Fortunately, she was introduced to an AIL center by one of her friends. Her first priority was to become literate, and she began to take classes. After completing the 6th grade at the center, she joined the embroidery class at the center because she wanted to learn a skill which could help to provide an income for her family. After graduating from the embroidery class, she began working at the center as an embroidery instructor. She is so happy to be teaching other women to be self sufficient. Mariam said, “I would like to thank AIL for changing my life. I would also like to thank the AIL staff for their good work for our community.”

During a recent workshop at an AIL center, one of the participants shared this story with the center staff: “I was illiterate and my husband had graduated from high school. My husband’s mother told me that I should learn to read by participating in a literacy course, but that I must take the class at a center where there would not be any men in my class. I found the AIL center and decided to take classes here with my sisters. My husband’s mother has never come here with me, until today. She stood outside the class and watched as our Life Skills class was taught by a man, and I worried about what I should say to her. I began to relax as I realized that my teachers were good and moral people, and decided that I must be patient and after class I would talk to my husband’s mother. When I came out of class, I saw her standing there and I shared with her all of the things I had learned. She told me that she could hear that I was being taught well, and that she would like to join our class.”

May 2009 Update

Alison Hendry — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:23:09 GMT

AIL recently received an update from Hafisa, a young woman that had taken classes at a Women’s Learning Center in rural Herat, Afghanistan. As a teenage girl, Hafisa began going to the WLC in her village where she became literate and learned to sew. In all of her classes, the teachers talked about human rights, peace, health and leadership, emphasizing that anyone can be a leader, even if in a small way. After graduating from the center, Hafisa was married and moved away. Hafisa’s sewing skills quickly made her popular in her new village with many people bringing her dresses for sewing. Soon, people in the village began asking her to open a center and teach other women to sew. Hafisa remembered the leadership lessons she learned at the AIL WLC in her village and knew that she could start a class. Starting a center to teach women to sew is a fairly novel concept. At first, her family ignored the requests, but due to community persistence, Hafisa’s family eventually allowed her to open a center in her home. Now she uses one room of her house to teach a sewing class and has 40 students. She collects a fee from the students, and this income has helped to change her family’s economic situation. She is respected in her community and her family is proud of her. Whenever she goes to her own village to see her parents, she visits the AIL center and thanks AIL for giving her the opportunity to be a useful person in her community. Not only did Hafisa learn to sew, she learned to be a leader and found that she could run a self-sufficient center.

2008 Year End Wrap Up

Alison Hendry — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:19:19 GMT

During 2008 AIL served 5071 females in women's learning centers in Herat. They studied many subjects including sewing, art, embroidery, beautician, Arabic, English, literacy, math and physics. We would like to share with you the story of one of the beneficiaries of the learning centers in Herat: "Five years ago, when I enrolled myself in the AIL Women's Learning Center, my neighbor made fun of me and told me that I was to old to learn and that I should go home and have a normal life. She added that if I started learning now, I would implement whatever I learned in the other world. I told her 'I will learn now, and I will implement my knowledge in this world.' Fortunately, I succeeded in my task because I believed in it and I am now a tailor; I am a teacher; and I am a Community Health Worker providing consultations to other women in my village. It is funny that now my neighbor and her family come to me to receive health education, medicine and family planning education, and it is unbelievable to her that I have reached this level of success. Recently, this neighbor sent her 3rd grade daughter to the center to learn reading and writing. Once again, I told my neighbor 'Humans can learn at any stage no matter how old they are; it is not late for anybody.'" Thank you so much for making this possible!!!!!

Stories to Share

Alison Hendry — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:55:54 GMT

Since the establishment of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) the goal has been to help women improve their situation in life. Following is a story from one of AIL’s Women’s Learning Centers (WLC) that exemplifies the changes that AIL can make in Afghan women’s lives.

When AIL student Rizagul was a young girl, her father was put in prison by the Taliban regime where he was tortured and eventually died leaving behind Rizagul as well as her young brother and her unwell, elderly mother.

Four years ago, Rizagul came to one of AIL’s rural WLC’s in Herat province and began taking various classes, including literacy and sewing. After two years at the center, she was able to gain admission to a regular school at grade level 4, a feat which might have taken 4 years in a regular school, if it happened at all. Even after gaining admission to the regular school, Rizagul continued to take extra courses after school at the center. Unfortunately, the center was closed due to the poor security situation in the region and Rizagul could no longer take the extra courses she had come to enjoy.

A short time ago, an AIL teacher saw Rizagul at a wedding ceremony in their village. Rizagul could not control her emotions and tears rolled down her cheeks as she told her teacher, “You and AIL were the best thing for me, and I will never, never forget your encouragement and all of the hard work that you did for me.” She added, “I can now read in Arabic, I know how to sew and I am a student in grade 6. What I am is because of the AIL center.”

She also said that she is sewing dresses to make money for her family and that she has so much business that she has to turn some people away. She is making a good living, and is able to improve her family’s economic situation with her sewing skills.

Rizagul also told the teacher, “With the advice that the center supervisor wrote in my ‘memory notebook’ (try to learn, work hard for a better future and pray for your future) I am sure that I will go toward a better future.”

SSnapshot of the Herat WLC Project-August 2008

Alison Hendry — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:41:08 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) in Herat now has 14 Women’s Learning Centers for 3,149 students. Ten of the centers are located in rural areas and the four centers in Herat City serve displaced and poor women and children. 75% of the students are female. All classes are Fast Track classes (see prior reports). Subjects that can be studied include literacy, math, computer, English, tailoring, carpet weaving, embroidery, knitting, art, calligraphy, Arabic and beautician training. All classes include lessons in peace education, health, human rights and leadership. All of the teachers have continuous training and students report that they learn faster in AIL classes because of the quality of the teachers than they do in schools or other places.

Many of the students attending the AIL centers lead difficult lives and studying at the centers has helped them to improve their situation. Here are the stories of a few of theses students.

Zahra is a teacher at the Jabraeel center. She began learning English in this center in 2004. Zahra lost her father when she was very small. She spent hard time with her mothers, brother and sisters while they returned from Iran to Afganistan. She had wanted to learn the English language, and once she began classes, she progressed very quickly, reaching the highest level of instruction in one year. AIL hired her as English language teacher at the same center where she had been a student. She also has volunteered as a literacy teacher at the center. The salary she has gotten from the center spent on her education. She also has participated in sewing classes at the center as well as an AIL leadership seminar. Zahra says, “All of my success belongs to AIL. The salary I get from AIL I spend to support my family. I teach four different English language classes.” Zahra did not stop to learn she got admission in computer class in the center. During Jun 2007 A.I.L introduced six students for the Exchange Student Program. Among the, Zahra was the only one who could pass the first session of the tests. She reached the second session and after the passing the second test she will go to the USA through the mentioned program.

Sadiqa a student of the sewing course at the Jabraeel center says, “AIL is in the heart of every resident of Jabraeel, because every one has access to the different educational field that he or she is interested in. 90 % of the people of the people of Jabraeel have benefited from AIL programs. It means that each two people of each home use Jabraeel center.”

Snapshot of the Herat WLC Project-August 2007

Toc Dunlap — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:40:56 GMT

Herat WLC Beautician Shop

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) in Herat now has 9 Women’s Learning Centers for 3873 students. Seven of the centers are located in rural areas and the two centers in Herat City serve displaced and poor women and children. 80% of the students are female. All classes are Fast Track classes (see prior reports). Subjects that can be studied include literacy, math, computer, English, tailoring, carpet weaving, embroidery, knitting, art, calligraphy, Arabic and beautician training. All classes include lessons in peace education, health , human rights and leadership. All of the teachers have received training in the last year and students report that they learn faster in AIL classes because of the quality of the teachers than they do in schools or other places.

Many of the students attending the AIL centers lead difficult lives and studying at the centers has helped them to improve their situation. The story of one of those students, Mariam, who was a student at one of AIL’s rural centers follows:

My name is Suriya and I am one of the unlucky people that have faced many problems in my life. I had born in Iran when my parents left their country because there was war in Afghanistan. Now I am 19 years old. My father worked there in Iran and our economic situation was okay so due to this situation I wanted to go to school. Every day I heard the school bell and it encouraged me more and more. I asked my mother to ask my father to do some thing so that I could go to school. During the night while my father came from the work my mother asked him about my wish. My father has seen to my face deeply and told me in a very sad way, "What you don't know is that if Afghan children want to go to school, they have to pay and I have no money to pay for your school.” This answer of my father made me very disappointed. Since that moment I tried to forget going to school. All the day I was spending my time watching TV. I was homesick and I counted the days when I could go back to my own country. After the Taliban regime, we returned to our country. But again I was upset because I was not in the age to go to school and I had no document to get admission to regular school. We did not have any saved money to run the family and day by day our economic situation was getting worse. Due to the bad economic situation, the good atmosphere of our family was changed to violence. This situation caused my father to leave us alone and he went to another province. So I decided to be literate to be able to find a job to support my family. One year after this event, my father sent us a letter that he got another wife and he would not return to Herat and you have to be self sufficient. I have tried to go to a private literacy course. Wherever I went, they asked me for fee and money but I had not anything to pay for it. Again I was disappointed from the life. One day one of my friends told me about the AIL center. I went there and got admission to the literacy class and I reached my goal. I continued up to grade six there in a very difficult situation. My mother went to the city and washed the people’s clothes to get money for us. I also found a job in an organization as a literacy teacher. What I learned from AIL teachers, I practice them and my students love my way of teaching. Now I am able to support my family from my salary. I can say that AIL rescued my life and made my future bright. I am very happy from my life now I appreciate AIL because this happiness is given by AIL to me.

Herat WLC Tailoring Class

Annual Report

Afghan Institute of Learning — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:11:13 GMT

Attachments:

AIL 2005 Annual Report (PDF)

Update

Afghan Institute of Learning — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:08:13 GMT

Attachments:

Update (DOC)

2005 Accomplishments

Afghan Institute of Learning — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 18:51:32 GMT

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

GlobalGiving.org: Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women in Herat

A Great Number of Women Reached

Two Additional Learning Centers Opened

Learning Centers are reaching so many women

Masuma's Story

Five Reasons to Celebrate

Grateful and Undaunted

Update

Summer Update 2010

Summer Update from the Afghan Institute of Learning

Spring Update

Why our funding goal has increaed

An invitation to read our newsletter

Special Giving Opportunity

Sakena Wishes to Thank Her Supporters

August 2009 Update

May 2009 Update

2008 Year End Wrap Up

Stories to Share

SSnapshot of the Herat WLC Project-August 2008

Snapshot of the Herat WLC Project-August 2007

Annual Report

Update

2005 Accomplishments

Learning Centers for Rural Women in Herat