Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women

In response for the need for education for girls outside of school, AIL Learning Centers have expanded their curriculum for grades 7-12. Here are some numbers from one month at AIL Herat centers.

Classes were provided to 3,701 women and girls. Student numbers included: 747 taking Arabic, 1,215 sewing, 33 embroidery, 256 beautician, 106 preschool students, 681 literacy, 73 math, 437 English, 61 computing, 92 painting.   

Sewing is often the first class women take at a center and having achieved success in that they are open to other classes such as literacy, math and Arabic in particular. Sewing skills help women earn some income to support their families. The preschool classes give the youngest children a real advantage when they enter kindergarten and this affects their progression in education going forward through the grades. Miniature painting is a traditional Afghan craft as is embroidery both of these can be income-generating for women.

Just a few highlights from AIL:

Staff have been busy over the last few months providing trainings in teaching, leadership and reproductive health in a number of provinces including Daikundi and Bamyan, Mazir al Sharif.  TV Meraj’s education program is a great success providing lessons to girls who are unable to attend school in person. AIL has done distributions of cooked food and food parcels to needy families as well as installing a drinking water well in Khatam Anbia, Herat.

The centers offer a variety of subjects to the women who come for education. Here are some examples of what is on offer:

• Some of AIL’s Learning Centers offer a 4 month long Mobile Literacy class. This is a highly effective intensive course that is run alongside a regular literacy course. Students are provided with mobile phones and are taught to use them and to text answers to questions set by teachers.  Over 85% of the students reach level 4 literacy in the four months.
• Carpet weaving, nut weaving, embroidery are all traditional crafts. Some centers offer these classes to women. The skills they learn are sought after and they can earn income to help support their families.
• Beautician classes are popular as women can set up a home business providing services to local people, such as hair dressing, make up and skin care.
• Preschool classes are offered at three of the Herat centers with 202 students enrolled. Early childhood education helps children succeed in kindergarten and the primary years. The classes give them the basics of academics as wells as social skills which make the transition to school easier.
• Modern skills such as English and computing are popular classes and graduates gain employment easily.
• The basics such as literacy, sewing and math are often the first classes women join. These skills help them in managing their family life.
• Education about a variety of life skills such as leadership, health, advocacy, women’s rights and core values are incorporated into the classes at centers. Women need to know how to stand up for themselves and advocate for what they need.

Your support for Learning Centers makes all the difference. We could not do this work without people like you!  

Thank you.

Apologies - the wrong report was sent out earlier. This is the correct one to update you on Herat Centers.

Learning Centers in rural communities are a vital resource for Afghan women who have no other opportunities for education, skills training and frequently lack a social outlet. We are pleased to say that AIL has been able to open a new center in January at Zamanian in the Herat area. The center is focused on 5 areas: Languages such as English, Arabic, Turkish, German and Urdu

Sciences: math, physics, chemistry, geometry, trigonometry

Computing: office, excel, photoshop

Arts: painting, drawing, calligraphy, Afghan miniature painting

Others: literacy, university entrance exam, sewing

As with all centers the teaching includes lessons in health, hygiene, leadership, citizenship, social responsibility, democracy and human rights. Everyone learns about core values such as respect, trust, good listening, sharing and caring for others.

Another community will benefit from AIL’s proven Learning Center program, women will be empowered and lives will be changed.

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

Your support makes all the difference! Thank you.

• Annual_Report_2021_.pdf (PDF)
  

In February, there were 121 computer students at Herat area Learning Centers and 377 at Kabul area centers.  The newest center at Zamanian has computing as one of its five departments.

Here are comments from one student: “I am in the computing class at the Wardak center. I am from a poor family, my father was a government employee but now he is unemployed and my mother is a housewife.  I have three small sisters, who are students. Our life is hard.

I enrolled in the computer class and fter six months, I have learned several computer programs, and got a job in a school as a computer worker. I am so happy that I can earn money and help my family through my new skill. “

 AIL also provides computing instruction through other venues including the special two  year-long Leadership Class at the private Yacoobi High Schools which has 50 students.

 In addition, the AIL Youth Club which has 105 members is going to set up an advanced computer class. The youth club provides opportunities for young  people to discuss and learn about current issues and difficulties in society and how to apply democratic values, reasoning, good citizenship and advocacy as how to be creative thinkers.

Gaining computer skills is a gateway to opportunity for young people. 

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

Your support is vital in helping us maintain our programs.

• Annual_Report_2021_compressed.pdf (PDF)
  

***There are only a few days left to donate in 2021! We would love your support for our projects. Thank you!***

AIL’s Learning Centers were examined by the Taliban and are open as they comply with gender segregation rules. As some girls are unable to access secondary education, we have instituted changes at our centers such as switching to an emphasis on post-6^th grade girls education. Of course, we continue to provide income- generating skills training such as tailoring, beautician, English and computing.

One of the first classes women take at a Learning Center is sewing. This skill provides immediate financial help to a family, as the woman takes on sewing clothes for her family members. She can start up her own home sewing business, obtaining work from neighbors and friends or selling items in the market. Other students have gone on to work for clothing companies as tailors.  

This course boosts the confidence of women who often arrive at a center unable to read and write and many have never had formal education beyond a few years of primary school. The students who complete the tailoring course feel empowered to go onto other learning.

The most popular next step for many women is a literacy class. There are 699 women in sewing class in the Herat centers and 1,352 women and girls in the 7 levels of literacy classes.  There have been 8 mobile phone literacy classes for 280 women in 2021.

Quick Note:

Our Youth pioneer center is regarded as one of 10 best social foundations in Herat city. 

Why Do AIL centers work?  This from an administrator, “The centers’ personnel have a close relationship with the local community. AIL staff are invited to the elders' meetings and have been appreciated and encouraged by them. They have built a friendly relationship with the elders and the people and have made presentations about the multilateral programs to everyone, so they can direct people’s wishes and expectations.” 

AIL Outreach 2021

23,905 students, 18,132 PPE distributed, 6 health clinics, 50-bed Covid-19 hospital, 95,593 patient treatments, 59,888 health education, 13,050 food aid families served, 22 radio broadcasts daily, 8 hours of TV programs, 12 provinces reached. 

Your support makes all the difference! Thank you.