Education Afghanistan Project #49238

The Small Acts of Kindness Fund & Learning Program

by Business for Better Society

Summary

2021 saw the on-going need for impactful grassroots NPO's to find new and innovative ways to continue their work. Like them, BBS is also innovating with the creation of this fund that will make small grants to our vetted global causes network. Our current focus shifted from the Sserinya Primary School to a new BBS project that will be undertaken in the new year along with the UN in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, a region BBS has worked in previously.

$9,100
total goal

$3,037
remaining

21
donors

0
monthly donors

2
years

Challenge

Since mid-August 2021, women's activities and engagement in social and economic affairs in Afghanistan have been suspended. Girls' education in school beyond grade 7 and in universities were restricted. The phenomenon significantly affects all Afghan women and longer term the country as a whole. The loss of access to education has a significant mental impact on those affected plus creates a sense of no hope.

Solution

Through the UN, a small window of opportunity to gain back some hope has opened in the Ishkashim and Zebak districts where the local Taliban showed support to allow women related activities in agreed stages with consideration of social and cultural themes. Program activities include a 3-day workshop on volunteerism, a library service of printed and audio books, formation of a learning centre for ages 8-12 covering school topics and a home fire wood useage program for smoke inhalation prevention.

Long-Term Impact

This program will provide a continuation of learning and reading skills and practical skills to ensure the health of young women and families. Reducing wood usage by 5% in the home will have a direct impact on women's health as smoke inhalation from traditional cooking can lead to problems such as asthma and greater lung damage. The UN has identified 585 beneficiaries: 30 young educated females, 200 household led females, 40 youth and 315 estimated beneficiaries with the libraries.