Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women

In September of 2011, two additional Learning Centers were opened in the Herat Province by the
Afghan Institute of Learning.  Both of these Centers were requested by the communities they serve.  One started with 114 students, but enrollment there has already increased to 185.  The other, located
in a small rural village, began with 20 female students, and had increased to 27 by January.

In addition, in November 2011, the Afghan Institute of Learning was asked to help support yet another Learning Center in Herat.  This Center currently hosts 50 students.  As of January 2012, there were
14 Learning Centers operating in the Herat Province, and 70% of the nearly 5,000
students are women.

Please keep in mind that Wednesday, March 14, 2012 is Bonus Day through Global Giving.  Donations up to $1,000.00 will be provided with a 30% match.  The bonus allotment is $50,000.00 and the period runs from 12:01 AM EST until the funds are exhausted.  So, if you would like your donation to go a little further with the help of Global Giving, give early on March 14^th.  Thank you!

 Nearly 6,400 women have studied at Learning Centers in Herat this year alone.  Subjects they have covered include Arabic, Literacy, Sewing, Carpet Weaving, English, Computer, Beautician, Physics, Math, Embroidery and Painting.

One student, from Zainabia had this to say:

“I am 35 years old. I have three children before that I came in course I was an illiterate woman.  I said for myself I wish I could study in order to development of Afghanistan so, I started my effort and struggle to learn in Zainabia center in literacy class.  My teacher is a kind woman also I try hard and study my lessons carefully. Right now I am in eleven class in the governmental school and the next year I will be graduate in  high school.  I wish to be a good teacher in future and I should help our society.  I am thankful for AIL that always works for capacity building of the people.”

The Afghan Institute of Learning has opened two additional Learning Centers in Herat to serve women and girls. One center was requested in a small community called Bagh Nazargah on the east side of Herat City.  The community is providing the housing for the Center and AIL is providing the salary of the teacher.  In the first month, the Center had 20 female students with one teacher for 17 students studying sewing and 3 studying  Arabic. 

Another, larger language and computer center, was opened in the afternoon at a private school at the request of the community in Sufiabad, a village within greater Herat City.  During the first month,  76 of the 114 students were female studying literacy, English and math.  Once the students learn English, they can begin to study computer.

Another AIL Project, “Transform Lives of 70,000 Afghan Adolescent Girls” has been chosen to be part of the Girl Effect Challenge, which runs from October 15 through November 15, 2011.  Approximately 60 projects have been included in this challenge.  The top six projects with the highest number of unique donations will become part of the Girl Effect Fund for one year and each is expected to earn an additional $25,000.  Please check out our project #8791, and thank you for your generous support of our programs!

In May of this year, 3,359 females were studying in the eleven AIL Herat rural learning centers that were operating that month.  Academic subjects included Literature, English, Physics, Math, Science and other language courses.  Specialty skill classes were also held, including sewing, carpet weaving, a beautician’s course, embroidery and painting.

One young woman attending a center in Jabreel had this to say:  “I am 15 years old and I like to learn English because this is an international language.  I try to learn this vital language.  I should mention there is one best learning place and that is Jabreel center. I learned English from this center thanks to AIL staff.“     

Masuma, a student studying in one of AIL’s Rural Learning Centers in Herat, shared her story with us, “I am fifty years old and I have six children.  I have always wanted to learn how to read.  One of my friends told me to attend one of AIL’s centers and take a class in Arabic.  I took the class and now I can read fluently.  I am so thankful for AIL.”

 AIL believes that it is never too late!!!!