Establish and Support Afghanistan Model Schools

Despite increased school enrollments throughout Afghanistan, many children are forced to 'attend school' in non-existent or run-down facilities, with inconsistent or no power, read antiquated books from thirty years ago, and receive instruction from teachers who have never completed high school.  Afghanistan's educational infrastructure remains so poor that only a tiny fraction of these deserving children will likely receive the education they need in order to gain the knowledge and skills to become productive citizens and help transform their country.

In 2011, HTAC is providing a quality educational experience to approximately 12,000 Afghan girls and boys who are enrolled in 9 of our model schools, located in three different provinces of the country. As one of the first non-profit organizations to successfully implement the model school concept into Afghanistan, HTAC is putting a premium on establishing and supporting centers of learning that make it possible for Afghan children to thrive and succeed. 

Abdullah Bin-Omar Middle School in the District of Paghman, thirty miles West of Kabul, is an example of how quality schools are making a difference for Afghan children. Initially established as a primary school, Abdullah Bin-Omar is a well-constructed facility with 26 classrooms, a well stocked school library, and a fully-functional computer laboratory. Generators provide consistent power for electricity and to keep classrooms cool during the hot summer months.  A deep well provides portable water and there are 12 well-maintained sanitary latrines. An average of 1,400 students attend the school and classes are taught by 37 well-trained instructors.

Supporting schools like Abdullah Bin-Omar are crucial in grooming Afghanistan's newest generation of future citizens and leaders.

Although Afghan girls have the right to go to school, in many conservative regions of the country, parents insist that girls and young women belong in the home; not in the classroom.  Oftentimes, it takes a caring and courageous teacher to gently educate parents about the value of school for their daughters.  Such was the case of Sweeta and her parents.

Sweeta was a 10th grader at Maslakee High School in the province of Samangan, one of several thousand girls who attend our schools in the area and her story is not uncommon.  Sweeta comes from a family of 12 whose parents are illiterate and had little respect for the education of girls. 

When the new school year began last March in 2010, Sweeta was especially excited after enrolling in HTAC's programs.  She enjoyed listening and learning from her teacher and interacting with other female classmates.  She immediately took an interest in our computer program and even began dreaming about one day teaching computer classes for children at her school so she could earn money to assist her poor family.

Not long after classes began, Sweeta's father pulled her out of school so that she could help her mother care for her younger siblings.  Sweeta was devasted and to make matter worse, her mother (not knowing any better), constantly scolded and used aggressive behavior in disciplining Sweeta and her other children.

Sweeta's high school teacher heard of Sweeta's misfortune.  Recalling the girl's enthusiasm for learning, she decided to invite her parents to school, welcoming them with cups of milk and biscuits.  The teacher told the parents how enthusiastic their daughter had been, attending classes and especially wanting to learn the computer.  She told them that one of Sweeta's goals was to graduate and earn a living teaching computer classes so she could help our her family, economically.

The parents were so impressed with the teacher and her positive messages of Sweeta that they promised they would allow their daughter to return to school. By the Fall of 2010, after seeing Sweeta's transformation in helping around the house, her caring for her younger siblings- after coming home from school, and her positive attitude, her parents return to the school for a visit.  With beaming faces, they told the teacher they had learned through their daughter that it was indeed important for girls to attend school.

Update- Sweeta's parents have since encouraged several of their neighbors to allow their daughters to attend school later this Spring, 2011.