Literacy Classes & Books for Afghan Women & Girls

Update on literacy classes: there were 1,037 students studying literacy in AIL centers in June.  Other students who are unable to get to class take advantage of education offered through Radio Meraj and AIL’s Meraj Academy. The latter is provided on TV Meraj with a daily, televised high school curriculum for grades 7-12.

The mobile literacy class uses the mobile phone to teach the alphabet and reading through texting with teachers and classmates. In 4 months, students progress to a 4^th grade level of reading which is much faster than through traditional literacy class.

"Aqeela said, I am a woman who lost the chance of being educated when I was a teen. I am so happy for having the chance to take part in this class. I heard good things about the class and this persuaded me to come here and participate. In the past 4 months I learned to be a new person educated in reading and writing. Moreover, I learned to be a skillful woman who is able to change the rest of her life." 

Thank you for your support for literacy in Afghanistan.    

DONATE between April 3-7 Little by Little campaign – Eligible donations up to $50 will be matched at 50% per unique donor per organization. You can donate to CHI and AIL and get match and donate more than $50 but over $50 will not be matched.

AIL publishes a magazine twice a year called Voice of Education. The 23^rd edition was published in February. The magazine regularly carries articles about a variety of topics including: science, culture, arts, poetry, children’s topics, media, literacy, news and information, health, psychology, good citizenship and core values. The magazine also gives an update on AIL’s activities such as new centers opening, how to access AIL health clinics as well as the Meraj enterprises such as TV Meraj and Radio Meraj.

Many Afghans lack access to reading material and news so this magazine is another source for those individuals. The magazines are distributed to government offices, all AIL facilities and offices and given out to people.

Update on literacy classes: there were 714  students studying literacy in AIL centers in January.  The winter in Afghanistan is harsh so many students will take advantage of education offered through Radio Meraj and AIL’s  Meraj Academy. The latter is provided on TV Meraj with a daily, televised high school curriculum for grades 7-12. This service is available throughout the Asian region and live streamed. 

Thank you for your support for literacy in Afghanistan.    

One of the most important skills AIL teaches is how to read. Literacy classes are offered at AIL centers at 8 levels and through fast-track mobile literacy classes.  In one month, there were 681 literacy students in Herat centers and 179 at Kabul centers with an additional 130 students in Mobile Literacy Class. AIL writes its own curriculum and students are supported in their reading progress by books provided by staff and access to small libraries at AIL centers. There is a shortage of reading material for people many of whom have no books in their homes.

“I talked to a student at a center in Nili City, Daikundi Province. Her hands were sore and blemished and looked painful, an indicator of poverty.  She had walked half and hour to get to the literacy course. She was really interested in education and thirsty for learning. Her father sews shoes in the market to get daily bread for his daughters. She talked a little about her father’s problems and began to weep. She hopes education will help improve the family’s life.”

AIL also provides literacy lessons through its partnership with  Dr. Yacoobi’s TV Meraj. On that station Meraj Academy provides a daily, televised high school curriculum for grades 7-12. Teaching takes place 4 times a day in one hour lessons. Students are able to submit questions via YouTube, Telegram, email or phone to teachers. There is also an archive of lessons for future reference. This service is available throughout the Asian region and live streamed.

Thank you for your support.

AIL has its own Research Center and it is currently investigating two topics: maternal mortality and addiction. In June, the center published its research on addiction following a period of study and gathering information from addicts, their families and communities.

The book details how people become addicted, the impact on lives and what needs to be done to prevent addiction. This is a crisis problem in Afghanistan as addiction is increasing with the rise in economic problems and dislocation of people.

AIL keeps important issues in the public eye by publishing books and through articles in its magazine. Health clinics also distribute information on addiction and drugs and the dangers to health and livelihoods. 

Thank you for your support for education and reading in Afghanistan.

AIL publishes an educational magazine twice a year. Nida-e-Taleem magazine contains articles on a wide variety of topics including, peace, current news, health including Covid-19 matters, AIL activities, role of education, how to help those in need, places of historical interest. Other topics are Afghan poetry and crafts, life skills such as leadership, management, crisis management, science topics, legal matters, computing skills and psychology of students and children. There is a children’s section which has colorful pictures, games and stories.

The magazine is given out to people and is also available in libraries, AIL offices clinics and centers. The magazine is read by thousands providing another source of information and news.

AIL’s Research Center published a book on its research projects 2019-2021. The studies included social differences among Afghans, obstacles to improving social status of educated women, survey of teachers job satisfaction and E-learning in Afghanistan.

The 2021 Sakena Fund annual report is attached and we hope you find it interesting.

Thank you for your support for education and reading in Afghanistan.       

• Annual_Report_2021_compressed.pdf (PDF)