Literacy Classes & Books for Afghan Women & Girls

One of the most important skills AIL teaches is how to read. Literacy classes are offered at AIL centers at 8 levels and through fast-track mobile literacy classes.  In one month, there were 681 literacy students in Herat centers and 179 at Kabul centers with an additional 130 students in Mobile Literacy Class. AIL writes its own curriculum and students are supported in their reading progress by books provided by staff and access to small libraries at AIL centers. There is a shortage of reading material for people many of whom have no books in their homes.

“I talked to a student at a center in Nili City, Daikundi Province. Her hands were sore and blemished and looked painful, an indicator of poverty.  She had walked half and hour to get to the literacy course. She was really interested in education and thirsty for learning. Her father sews shoes in the market to get daily bread for his daughters. She talked a little about her father’s problems and began to weep. She hopes education will help improve the family’s life.”

AIL also provides literacy lessons through its partnership with  Dr. Yacoobi’s TV Meraj. On that station Meraj Academy provides a daily, televised high school curriculum for grades 7-12. Teaching takes place 4 times a day in one hour lessons. Students are able to submit questions via YouTube, Telegram, email or phone to teachers. There is also an archive of lessons for future reference. This service is available throughout the Asian region and live streamed.

Thank you for your support.

AIL has its own Research Center and it is currently investigating two topics: maternal mortality and addiction. In June, the center published its research on addiction following a period of study and gathering information from addicts, their families and communities.

The book details how people become addicted, the impact on lives and what needs to be done to prevent addiction. This is a crisis problem in Afghanistan as addiction is increasing with the rise in economic problems and dislocation of people.

AIL keeps important issues in the public eye by publishing books and through articles in its magazine. Health clinics also distribute information on addiction and drugs and the dangers to health and livelihoods. 

Thank you for your support for education and reading in Afghanistan.