Literacy Classes & Books for Afghan Women & Girls

Dear Friends,

Today is #GivingTuesday! $500,000 in Matching funds are available for donations made to all Creating Hope International and Afghan Institute of Learning projects on GlobalGiving. 

50% match up to $1,000 per individual donor per organization while funds last. In addition, new recurring donations up to $100 USD per month per unique donor per organization will have their initial donation matched at 200% on #GivingTuesday. Hurry up and donate!..Read our report below.

AIL received 1,000 songbooks and 200 teacher guides which have been distributed. The books went to kindergarten teachers and students, other teachers and students at the Yacoobi Private High School. AIL has 43 Learning Centers and centers in Herat received 700 books while centers in Kabul got 300 books. The students ranged in age from 5 to 10 years old who were in grades K to 3. 150 teacher guides went to Herat and 50 to Kabul. Teachers received  instructions in how to use the books and had the use of audio equipment.

The children enjoyed the books and practiced reciting the poems with each other. The material was all traditional Afghan verse set in colorful pages. People in Afghanistan are not so used to buying books so receiving a gift like this is a happy event for a child. One child said, “I like this book and the pictures. I like reading out loud what it says.”

Thank you for your support as we work to improve access to literary material for all Afghans.

Dear Friends,

Reading has fallen out of favor in Afghan society in recent times with the stressful circumstances of a war torn country. AIL promotes reading by setting up its own libraries, supporting other libraries such as at the Citadel historical site and by publishing reading materials.

Recently AIL staff took another approach to encourage reading by holding a book reading contest. Staff gathered some experts to review book options and together they chose a book about the Prophet Mohammed. This book was chosen for its length, complexity and content and as it would appeal to all ages. Students from 6 institutions took part including 2 of Dr. Yacoobi’s private schools, 3 AIL Learning Centers and an unaffiliated school.

There were 1,000 participants (ages between 10 and 25) who were given the book and a questionnaire which they filled out. Sixty got all the answers right and received recognition and prizes and 3 were chosen by lottery for special prizes. Many parents also participated reading the book too so it was a family undertaking. The awards were handed out at a special gathering attended by 200 people. The circus performers from the Yacoobi school put on a show orientated round reading and there were speeches about the importance of reading and buying books.

One student said ''I study at  the High School in my village in the sixth class and am 11 years old. I had never thought to read other books beside my school books because we are poor, but I was very interested in reading books. This contest awakened the motivation in my mind and made me more interested in reading books. When this contest was announced, I took part and with the help of my parents I could answer the questions. Now I am a winner of the contest. Fortunately our school now has a library, and I can borrow books from there, return them and get other ones."

AIL works to open people’s minds and in this case, rediscover the value of reading and attention to literature in the fast paced, screen centered world of today.

Thanks for your continued interest.