Empowering Minds: ASDD's Mission to Educate Girls in Afghan
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Empowering Minds: ASDD's Mission to Educate Girls in Afghanistan
Your contribution can transform the lives of young Afghanistani women. We need to raise 10,800 euros to support 40 girls for a year with English classes and mentoring. With just 270 euros, you can provide one girl with a full year of support, helping her advance from A1 to B1 or B2 in English.This includes personalized mentoring from native or high-level English speakers, assistance with creating her CV, crafting motivation letters, and applying for higher education opportunities abroad. Your donation will equip these girls with the skills they need to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.
Project Overview
It has been three years since the Taliban's gender apartheid regime banned girls over the age of 12 from attending school. Afghanistan, already ranking low in gender equality, has seen its progress in women's rights completely reversed since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. By April 2023, 80% of schoolage girls—around 2.5 million—were out of school, with many provinces having no access to secondary education. This ban has led to a rise in child marriage, maternal mortality, poverty, depression, and suicide among Afghanistani women and girls.
Our Response
ASDD initiated the "Empowering Minds: ASDD's Mission to Educate Girls in Afghanistan" program on January 1, 2024. This programme began with the generous financial support of a kindhearted Italian friend of ASDD, who offered it as a birthday gift, and has continued with contributions from other friends. This initiative aims to provide Afghanistani adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Afghanistan with a pathway to higher education. Over this 12month program, ASDD will offer English language classes, mentoring sessions, and psychosocial support to 16 young women, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to pursue higher education abroad. Now in its 8th month, the participants have progressed from A1 to B1 level English. ASDD aims to expand this program to include 40 female students.
Key Project Components
1. English Language Proficiency: We will provide inperson English classes to help AGYW reach the proficiency level required for foreign university admissions.
2. Mentorship and Guidance: Our mentoring program will connect AGYW with proficient English speakers to practice language skills and receive guidance on university applications, scholarship searches, and interview preparation.
3. Supportive Resources: Each participant will receive teaching materials (books) and an internet package to facilitate online learning and mentorship.
Budget
Our total project budget is 10,800 euros, which breaks down as follows:
Local English teachers: 12 months * 2 teachers each month * 100 euros = 2,400 euros
Study materials (books): 10 euros per student * 40 students * 3 levels = 1,200 euros
Internet packages: 15 euros per student * 40 students * 12 months = 7,200 euros
With your support, we can ensure that these young women continue their education despite the oppressive regime and help us expand the program to benefit even more participants.
Why Your Support Matters
Afghanistan is at risk of losing a generation of educated women—women who are essential for the country's development and future. By supporting the Empowering Minds initiative, you are not just helping these young women access education; you are giving them hope, resilience, and a chance to change their futures.
Donate Now
Your donation, no matter how small, will make a significant impact on the lives of these young women. Help us raise €10,800 to fund this vital program and give these girls the wings to soar above the challenges they face.
Partner with Us
We invite you to partner with us in this mission. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of Afghanistani girls, empowering them to become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to education and equality.
Contact Information
For more details or to get involved, please reach out to us:
Shahrbanu Haidari, President of ASDD: [email redacted]
Sharifa Behzad, Secretary of ASDD: [email redacted]
Follow us on:
Website: http://as-dd.eu/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asdd.it
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/associazione-di-solidarietà-donne-per-le-donne-asdd
Real Stories, Real Impact: Voices from ASDD's Students
Hear directly from the girls who are benefiting from ASDD's support. These young women have faced unimaginable challenges under the Taliban's rule but remain determined to fight for their right to education and a better future. Their stories of courage and perseverance will inspire you. Due to security concerns, any personal information about students, including names, cannot be disclosed.
First Student
"I promised myself that I will achieve my goals; I promised myself that I would never give up. I have experienced the worst things, and it will not make me give up. I never lose; either I win or I learn! When the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they created a lot of changes, such as recession and unemployment. Most of the young generation emigrated from Afghanistan, and the Taliban limited and prevented girls and women from getting education and working outside. These actions of the Taliban shook all the people, especially girls and women. Most girls didn't want to be alive; some even committed suicide. We are those girls who do not have access to our primary rights. I would like to share one of my sad memories with you that happened during the Taliban government. Last winter, there were many girls studying in courses, including ours. One day, while we were studying, the Taliban came to our course and said that we could no longer attend. They closed the door, and all the girls, with disappointed faces and tearful eyes, did not want to go home. My classmates and I were crying, and when I got home, my family asked what happened. I told them everything, and they became sad. I was crying, and even my 4yearold sister cried."
Second Student
"I live in a country experiencing civil war and a tough situation—Afghanistan. Afghan girls can't go to school, university, or work freely because we are girls. I want to share one of my sad memories. Besides our studies, we formed a volleyball team and sometimes competed with other teams. I remember on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 10:25, while we started a match, the Taliban suddenly entered the campus and warned us severely. They came to our class and said, 'You are girls. Why are you playing volleyball? It is a big crime.' They added that they would beat us all with ten whips. We were terrified and started to cry. Eventually, the office and manager controlled the situation and promised the Taliban that our students would not play volleyball anymore. I want to be a successful lawyer to help Afghan women and a great translator. Thank you very much for your support."
Together, we can bring hope and opportunity to the women and girls of Afghanistan.
Organizer
Shahrbanu Haidari
Organizer
Rome, LZ