Give Afghan Refugees the Gift of Education

There are still many Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, and AIL is still working with them today.  In 2014, AIL’s Learning Center (LC) in Pakistan educated 485 students and the 3 supported schools had 1,437 students. The LC is a great resource for those who need to catch up on schooling they have missed and for others who want an income generating skill. Literacy class is very popular and when the course ended in December the graduates felt proud of what they had accomplished. There are also classes in Arabic, sewing and English.

Students often say “I can read! I was able to help someone by reading their credit card numbers.” or “I helped my mother read the paper.”  The learned skill is important but so is the boost in self confidence that people gain from having this basic skill. They feel confident about navigating life in the marketplace or around their village, now that they can read and take care of themselves.

 Your support for Afghan refugees is much appreciated. Thank you.

AIL started in the Afghan refugee camps of Pakistan, where Dr. Yacoobi  saw the plight of the people who were dropping behind in education, losing skills and were unhealthy and lacking hope. She founded AIL to address these problems and sees education as the key to a changed future for people.

17 years later AIL is still working, helping refugees and also those back in the homeland. In 2014, AIL has one Learning Center (LC) in Pakistan and supports 3 schools. At the LC there are between 260 and 176 students in any given month (202-123 female). There are 7 classes in Arabic, literacy, English and sewing and 4 teachers. The supported schools have between 850 and 1,437 students as well as a preschool for a dozen children. School restarted in early September following the summer break. AIL staff organized a short technique seminar and a one day workshop on lesson planning, the role of the teacher and teaching different age groups.  Teaching staff were able to update their skills for the new school year. In August, during the summer recess, 40 people attended an in depth teaching technique seminar. All this training is part of AIL’s program philosophy of providing high quality trained teachers and continuing to support them when they are working.

Your support for Afghan refugees is much appreciated. We have included Creating Hope International’s newsletter which contains information on AIL’s work. We hope that you will take a moment to read through it.

• Newsletter2014_.F.pdf (PDF)