GlobalGiving.org: Afghans Learn Leadership for the 21st Century

Workshops in High Demand

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:29:58 GMT

The more Leadership seminars that AIL offers, the more they are
requested to provide. It is nearly impossible to keep up with the
demand for these workshops. Women especially request access to these
workshops. Women are learning that they do have a voice in their
homes, their communities and their Country. Men, too, are learning
about equality, respect, and compromise.

As part of these seminars, the participants are also learning how to
resolve their differences without conflict.

At the beginning of each seminar, the participants are asked who a
leader is. They generally respond – a person in government – a
religious leader – the President. As they go through this seminar,
they come to understand that they too are leaders every day in their
life – and also, to appreciate the leadership qualities of others
around them.

Future Leaders

Toc Dunlap — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:36:38 GMT

Recently we received a story from AIL Herat that showed us that even the Afghan young people are learning and exhibiting leadership skills. A group of 20 students in one of the schools where AIL has trained teachers and held workshops have formed what we would consider a “student council” here in the United States. This is a very new concept in Afghanistan. That group has met several times and determined the best ways to assist in keeping their school organized, clean and in good repair. They even participate in the cleaning themselves. They are now playing a major role in the management of their school. It is so refreshing to see young people stepping up and being responsible for not only themselves, but also their surroundings. These students will be the next leaders of Afghanistan.

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!

Emerging Leaders Groups Formed

Toc D — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:05:52 GMT

Afghans Learn Leadership for the 21^st Century

AIL has implemented Leadership Workshops and two Emerging Leaders Groups that meet four to six times during the year. The Workshops last for seven days and cover a range of topics including: increasing the participation of women in different areas of social life and decision making, promoting equal rights of men and women, and promoting cooperation between people of society and an understanding of differing opinions.

Some questions that the participants are asked to explore include: Who can be a leader? What is the leadership role in my life? What is my vision? How do I maintain relationships? How can we serve diverse interests? How do we empower each other? How do we reach a common goal with different concepts? How do we share responsibility?

One participant said, “Since I came to this workshop, I have learned to be kind with others and respect their rights. Before this workshop, I couldn’t tolerate the ideas of my classmates, but now I have learned how to respect other people’s ideas, even if I do not agree with them.

Another participant praised AIL for its good work and said that AIL makes a positive impact by helping women increase their knowledge and capacity.

Positive Outcomes

AIL Staff — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:15:33 GMT

One of the participants of an AIL leadership workshop said, “The workshop was very interesting and everything I learned was new information for me. I think it is essential for everyone to attend this workshop, especially those who work in offices, teachers, and as civil society employees. By attending this workshop, they will learn what their rights are and what to do when there is conflict in their family or at the work place.” With this new found knowledge, Afghans are beginning to take positive actions that will enhance their lives and the lives of those around them.

Five Reason's to Celebrate

Toc Dunlap — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:07:41 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 18:46:00 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 13:27:49 GMT

Applying what she had learned in her AIL leadership class, Fariba tells how she helped one of her classmates:

Fariba says, “I know a girl who was a student of high school, but unfortunately her relatives and family did not like her going to school and finally they stopped her. One day, she secretly came to school and told me her story. By thinking about the methodology of leadership that I learned from AIL, I decided to help her and went to her home to talk with her family. I talked to her parents and gave them some examples of what I learned in the leadership class about women. Fortunately, their parents accepted these ideas and now allow her to continue her education. I am so proud of myself that I could help this girl make a new future”.

Summer Update 2010

Sondra Johnson — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:14:01 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning schedules and holds leadership and democracy workshops in several provinces throughout the year. Participants learn an awareness of their human rights, the meaning of democracy, how they can participate in their society and hold elected leaders accountable, how they themselves can serve people and as individuals, practical ways they can bring democracy and respect human rights. Year to date in 2010, AIL has given 12 specific workshops and seminars that teach leadership, democracy and capacity building skills to 359 participants. In addition, human rights and leadership values are taught in all other workshops and seminars.

A participant of a leadership workshop this year in Herat shares, “I didn’t understand my responsibilities in our society and actually, I didn’t understand who is a leader before I attended this workshop. Now I realize my responsibility and I can bring positive changes in the life of people in my environment. I can solve the problems of people because I attended a capacity building workshop at the AIL office and this second workshop.”

Summer Update 2010

Sondra Johnson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:40:24 GMT

The Afghan Institute of Learning schedules and holds leadership and democracy workshops in several provinces throughout the year. Participants learn an awareness of their human rights, the meaning of democracy, how they can participate in their society and hold elected leaders accountable, how they themselves can serve people and as individuals, practical ways they can bring democracy and respect human rights. Year to date in 2010, AIL has offered given 12 specific workshops and seminars that teach leadership, democracy and capacity building skills to 359 participants. In addition, human rights and leadership values are taught in all other workshops and seminars.

Summer Update from the Afghan Institute of Learning

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:43:44 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 15:11:31 GMT

In 2009, AIL held 18 leadership and democracy workshops in Afghanistan for 570 participants. The objectives of the leadership workshops include increasing awareness among Afghans of their human rights, the meaning of democracy, how they can hold their elected leaders accountable, how they themselves can be accountable to the people that they serve and what they, as individuals can do to bring democracy and respect human rights to Afghanistan in a practical way. In addition, AIL formed 2 Emerging Leader groups, one each in Kabul and Herat, for experienced leadership participants to research and implement projects within their communities. To date, there are over 17 projects that have been completed or are in process. Rushan, one of the participants of the leadership workshop in Kabul, says,” soon after taking the leadership workshop, I decided to start a project to help my community. I opened a private literacy and sewing class for 17 women and girls in my home and then I tried to increase the number of my students. The leadership workshop opened my mind- it made me realize that I want to educate other women so they may be self confident”. 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 21:45:16 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 16:53:36 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.

AIL often has additional ‘mini’ workshops to address a specific topic. After such a workshop that focused on leadership and peace and how to implement peace, two of the participants took their knowledge a step further: Kubra went and created a leadership workshop where more than 75 people attended. Mohammad created a foundation to help support 30 families. He receives money from the organization and helps the families with basic needs and food. Mohammad then talked with donors to assist in the vision of to creating a road to Shakadara.

Sakena Wishes to Thank Her Supporters

Sondra Johnson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:10:01 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 13:05:13 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. 27, 619 Afghans (more than 70% female) have received teacher training or capacity-building training. 3,263 Afghans, mostly female, have participated in leadership and human rights workshops. Overall 6,778,026 Afghan lives have been directly impacted by AIL programs.

So far in 2009, AIL has held 9 leadership workshops for 313 Afghans, 263 of which were women. During these workshops, participants both large and small ways in which they can become leaders in their communities. Here are a few stories that participants in AIL’s leadership workshops have shared with us.

Fariba helped a friend have access to education. “I know a girl who was a high school student; but unfortunately her family did not like her going to school and eventually stopped her from attending. One day, she secretly came back to school and told me her story. I went to her home and used the leadership methods I learned from AIL to talk with her family. I gave her parents some examples of women in leadership roles and fortunately her parents allowed her to continue her education. I am so proud of myself for helping the girls so that now she can have a future.”

Rushan had this to say, “Soon after taking the leadership workshop I decided to start a project to play a role in my community. I opened a private literacy and sewing class for 17 women and girls in my home and I am trying to increase the number of my students. The leadership workshop opened my mind, and I want to educate other women so that they will be self confident.”

Shaima has found new ways to help support her family financially, “I am a teacher and it is very hard to meet my needs with my salary. After taking this workshop, I bought 20 hens which lay 20 eggs every day. My son takes the eggs to the market and sells them, which helps to support my family. The number of hens I own is increasing, as is the amount of income from their eggs. Thank you AIL for showing me that I could have an impact on my family.”

Our last story is about a female teacher named Shakiba. After participating in the workshop, she thanked the trainers, letting them know that the workshop was very helpful for her. After the workshops, she began designing sleepwear sets for children. Shakiba buys the cloth and designs the sleepwear and then gives the pattern and cloth to other women to sew it. She then sells the clothes at the market and is able charge good prices. Shakiba has created an income for herself, but has also created jobs for other women.

May 2009 Update

Alison Hendry — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:37:06 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.

Update on AIL Leadership Programs

Alison Hendry — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:03:21 GMT

During 2008, AIL held 16 leadership workshops in Afghanistan for 520 participants.

The objectives of the leadership workshops include increasing awareness among Afghans of their human rights, the meaning of democracy, how they can hold their elected leaders accountable, how they themselves can be accountable to the people that they serve and what they, as individuals can do to bring democracy and respect human rights to Afghanistan in a practical way.

Stories to Share

Alison Hendry — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:57:18 GMT

One success story illustrating how the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) not only trains women to support themselves but also empowers them to be leaders in their communities comes from one of AIL’s sewing and tailoring training courses in Herat. Parima was a student in one of AIL’s WLCs in Herat Province. Since completing the course, she has established her own business sewing garments and is earning a good income. Because Parima’s village didn’t have a center, Parima began training women and girls in tailoring. She is now working in conjunction with AIL and when Parima’s students complete her course they will be allowed to take AIL’s final sewing exam. After successfully completing the exam, the students will be awarded with a certificate from AIL.

Snapshot (2008) of the Leadership/Human Rights Project

Alison Hendry — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:48:16 GMT

Between January and July 2008, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has held 8 Leadership workshops for 282 Afghan men and women in Herat and Kabul, Afghanistan and Peshawar, Pakistan. From these Leadership workshops, AIL has also developed Capacity Building workshops. From January to July 2008 AIL has held 4 Capacity Building Workshops for 69 Afghan men and women.

A participant of the leadership workshop said, “There is a lot of violence in our society, and this workshop gave me many skills that I can use to help my people, especially women, to save them from violence and self immolation.”

Another participant of the leadership workshop said, “I learned during the workshop that everybody has some qualities of a leader but we need to empower our selves. The leadership of Professor Sakena Yacoobi really gave us more energy to take steps to work hard for our people. I have a good economic situation and I decided to start a baby center to help those women who work outside their home. I hope I can do this, and because of the energy I got from this workshop, I believe that I can do it.”

A participant in a Capacity Building workshop held in Herat said, “I have attended many workshops given by different organizations, but the quality of instruction I received here was wonderful. This is because AIL finds out what the people need and designs good workshops.”

Update of the Leadership/Human Rights Project—August 2007

Toc Dunlap — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:02:48 GMT

AIL Herat Group Work in Leadership Workshop

In 2007, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has held 10-day Leadership Workshops for 109 women and 35 men in Herat Province. Advanced Leadership and Capacity –Building Workshops have been held for 188 men and 91 women in Herat and Kabul Provinces. Participants included teachers, government workers and members of civil society.

The leadership workshop participants in Herat found the workshop very valuable. They commented that their ways of thinking were changed after the workshop and they particularly liked the group work and the opportunity to share ideas with others. Female participants noted that they had learned a great deal about their rights and how to defend their rights and also about what it means to be a leader. They said that they would convey what they had learned to other women. Male participants were initially very sensitive but after a few days their minds began to change and they began to see that violence against women is not productive for the society. Some men said that when they went home, after attending the workshop, they began to help their wives with housework and their wives were very surprised and asked what had happened and the men said that their ideas had changed because of the workshop. All learned how to listen and respect others ideas in the group work. At first there was some difficulty with the men accepting ideas from the women but this changed after a few days. One religious leader in particular greatly changed his way of thinking.

The participants in the Democracy, Women’s Rights and Capacity-Building Workshops in Herat were very active and enthusiastic in participating in group work, having already learned about this in previous AIL workshops. They all found the workshops to be very valuable and suggested that additional workshops be held with more advanced topics and include more about social discussion, psychology, examples of successful organizations, law, social justice and an opportunity to work together to plan a project from different aspects—administration, management, financial management and planning. They also suggested that these workshops should be held for managers in the various Herat districts.

The participants in the Democracy, Women’s Rights and Capacity-Building Workshop in Kalakan found the workshop to be very valuable and felt that they had learned a great deal. According to the evaluation by the participants, the most important things that they learned were the following: • how to have democracy in an Islamic society • how to bring out the positive qualities of leadership within ourselves • mechanics of administration

The participants said that in five days they had learned two months of material. They recommended that the time of the workshop be longer and that it be held for NGOs and other government workers.

AIL Herat Group Work in Advanced Leadership Workshop

Annual Report

Afghan Institute of Learning — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:59:14 GMT

Attachments:

AIL 2005 Annual Report (PDF)

Update

Afghan Institute of Learning — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:56:32 GMT

Between January and September 2006, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has held 15 Leadership workshops for 449 Afghan men and women in Herat and Kabul, Afghanistan and Peshawar, Pakistan.

Update

Afghan Institute of Learning — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 19:03:21 GMT

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

Attachments:

AIL Report (DOC)