Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women

Dear Friends,

I am honored to announce that this Thursday, August 6 I will be a guest on Beth Green’s radio program, the Inner Revolution. I invite you to listen live, from 6-7pm ET (3-4pm PT) as we discuss my programs in Afghanistan, including the Classes that this project supports. Thursday’s show is titled “The Other Side of Afghan Women: Dr. Sakena Yacoobi and See Courage in Action!” and the description is as follows:

Honored for her courage and vision, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi is human like us, yet has had to face daunting conditions, which continue to the present day. In 1990, Sakena returned from the US to establish education, health and training programs in the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. In 1995 she founded the Afghan Institute of Learning to continue her work. But when the Taliban took power, they devastated women’s rights, including access to education. Instead of crumbling, Sakena worked with communities to establish home schools. The resulting years have seen an astounding litany of accomplishments including the rebuilding of Afghan society. How has she done it? How did her organization found 80 secret schools under the Taliban at the risk of death? And what about today? Although no longer in control of the national government, the Taliban and repressive attitudes toward women still have a hold. What’s happening now? We often see the anguish of Afghan women. Tune in and see the courage.

I will share stories of the wonderful women and girls supported by the Afghan Institute of Learning. Girls like E., a 19-year old Afghan studying in a Mobile Literacy Class at one of AIL’s centers, and supported by you. Stories like this one:

“Hello. I am E., and I am 19 years old. I think this mobile literacy class is so interesting. Before coming to this class I didn’t know anything at all, and since coming I have learned how to read and write, like really read and write, you know? Since learning to communicate with my friends and family via mobile messages, I have made many new friends. I can also manage all of the settings of my phone as well. After this class I plan on taking more classes so that I can use what I have learned here to learn even more. Thanks AIL and Professor Sakena Yacoobi for making it possible for me to attend this class and to change my whole life.”

You can click this link for more information about Thursday’s broadcast. I hope that you will make time to listen!

 Warm Regards,

Dr. Sakena Yacoobi