Fast Track Education for Afghan Women and Girls

2013 has thus far been a successful year for Creating Hope International (CHI) and the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL). Our learning centers are growing and expanding, and the attendance rates for our Herat and Kabul centers are significantly higher than the rates recorded last year. Small communities in rural parts of the country have requested that AIL open centers in their villages, because they see the positive impact these centers have on communities comparable to their own. Changes like these are promising because it shows that perceptions on educating women and girls has transformed to the point where communities are actively requesting that AIL educate their wives and daughters.

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) and Creating Hope International (CHI) would like to wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons.  As you celebrate with those you love, please take a moment to look at CHI’s yearly newsletter, which we’ve attached to this report. As you will see, 2012 has been a transformative year for AIL and CHI. After years of working tirelessly to provide education, training and healthcare to Afghans, we are beginning to see a real change. The minds of those AIL works with are being opened to the possibility of a peaceful Afghan society. 

AIL is in the process of finalizing a 5 year funding plan, which will be put into place beginning in 2013. We are looking forward to sharing the details of this plan with you soon, and hope that you will find it in your heart to give generously to help us reach our goal. The people of Afghanistan are making great strides, but our work is not done yet. Instead of backing down, we need to push ahead and continue to give Afghans the tools they need to create a more peaceful country. We are hoping that we can count on you to help continue our work. 

The women are beginning to see that through education they can have a better life, and are insisting on educating their children. They are taking charge of their health, and we are seeing more and more women requesting workshops on pre-natal issues as well as reproductive health. AIL is encouraged to see so many Afghan women looking forward to a brighter future and is planning to be there to help the women lead the way to the Afghanistan of their dreams. 

Finally, we'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that donations up to $2,000 are being matched at 50% by the Safer World Matching Fund, while funds last. Take this opportunity to make your donation go further this holiday season. 

• Annual Newsletter (PDF)