Empower Afghan Girls with Computer Training

We look back on 2024 with both gratitude and grief. We are so grateful for all the ways we have been able to partner with Afghan communities to build hope in this dark time of their history.

Yet, we grieve over the widespread suffering and injustices that plague Afghanistan.

Afghans are living under the weight of oppression where half their population is forbidden from working, learning, or contributing to society in any way except by performing household tasks.

It is estimated that 80% of school-aged Afghan girls and women do not have access to education.

Unsurprisingly, 82% of Afghan women consider their mental health to be bad according to the UN.

Amidst the suffering, AAFF has built hope by providing computer training for over 400 Afghan girls. 

December is the end of the school year and for girls in 6th grade they have no option to continue their education. One 6th grade student in the computer training course this month said,

"Today our exams ended, and fortunately, I have completed another [school] year, but I am saddened that next year, there is a ninety percent chance that we girls may not be able to continue our education after finishing the sixth grade. I honestly say that I have learned more knowledge and skills from this computer course than I have from school, because in school, the teachers are not very motivated to teach due to the circumstances and everyone is disheartened. However, the instructors of the computer course teach us with great enthusiasm and effort. I want to take advantage of this good opportunity I have."

Thank you for your generous donations on Giving Tuesday to help us reach our fundraising goals. Our amazing donors have made it possible for 25 Afghan girls to be able to participate in the computer training course in 2025. We are grateful to build hope with more Afghan girls in 2025.

This week 88 girls graduated from the 3-month computer training course. Afghan girls are still prohibited from attending school past 6th grade.

Students report that they have little knowledge of computers before entering the course and upon graduation are competent in Microsoft suite, internet usage, and Kobo Toolbox. Students also complete a final project, and several students shared that they were able to help their parents in their work, especially with Excel because of what they learned in class.

Here is one student's story of her experience in the class.

I am a 6th grade student. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of our future weighs on me, but in this dark moment I am extremely happy to have been introduced to AAFF.

When I first heard that computer courses were opening for girls in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, I couldn't resist joining and was one of the first students to enrol.

This course motivated me to leave the house. Even though I am not very brave and like many other girls I am scared of the situations we face, yet every day I gathered the courage to attend this one-hour class.

This hour was not just a computer class for me. It was also an English, math, photography, and motivational class. It felt like a home where we could rely on each other. It was a space for creativity and sometimes just a place to feel good. 

As I graduate, I feel both emotional and excited. I'm unsure if I will be able to join this course again in the future, but I hope it continues to encourage girls like me. I will also be grateful for the choice I made joining this course. 

My family is proud of me, and I am proud of myself.