Digital Literacy Afghanistan Project #57575

Empower Afghan Girls with Computer Training

by AAFF

Project Report | Aug 27, 2024
Computer Training Centers for Afghan Girls Update

By Missy Simmons | Organizational Development Director

Life in Afghanistan continues to be very difficult for women and girls. Within the past week, more edicts have been issued restricting women even more. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are not given access to education past grade 6. Additionally, women are restricted from working in many professions.

AAFF's computer training centers continue to be life-changing for our female students in grades 4-6. In July, 112 girls graduated from the 3-month computer training course.

Students are learning valuable skills such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel as well as internet usage, how to set up a Gmail account, and how to make a survey in Kobo Toolbox. At the end of the course students complete a project of their choice.

One student explained her experience making her project,

"I got to write a short book about my beloved country, Afghanistan, and its historical places. My teacher also allowed me to use the internet on my own computer. I searched for pictures and information on my computer. I can’t express how lucky I feel. I have never used the internet for any reason before, but now using it for my own project makes me feel like flying."

Another 3-month round of the course began in the beginning of July and will run through the end of September. Currently, 130 students are gaining new skills and making the most of the opportunity as well as teaching their new skills to their family and friends.

Students reported,

"Creating a Gmail account was a very interesting lesson, and I am thrilled that I can now create Gmail accounts for my family members. This week we had homework to send a message from our own Gmail account to our teacher’s Gmail account, which I successfully completed."

"One day my brother said, “So you are learning computer, let me know how you’re able now to work with it!” So I turned on the computer and I made a form using Kobo Toolbox that was about his school survey. My brother was surprised at how his small sister can make it when even he didn’t know how to make a survey form. He said, “I am proud of you.”

Thank you for your participation in 'Building Hope' with Afghan girls during this difficult times.

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May 1, 2024
Update on AAFF's Computer Training Center

By Missy Simmons | Director of Organizational Development

Students working on their lesson

In the end of March, 115 Afghan girls in grades 4-6 graduated from the three-month computer training course. Students began by learning how to turn on a computer - for many of the students it was their first time using a computer.

The students grew in their learning and their confidence over the three months and ended the course by completing a project. One student made an informational document about the province she lives in. Another student made a PowerPoint presentation about the different fields of engineering, and other students made timesheets in Excel.

We are so proud of our smart and capable students and all that they have accomplished. For some of the students this is their last year having access to education unless the bans on secondary education for girls are lifted.

Here is what the students said,

"I have completed the sixth grade, and I am very sad that I will not be able to attend school next year. However, I am very happy to learn about computers. Even if I do not have permission to go to school next year, I would like to continue taking educational courses to enhance my knowledge. I thank AAFF for shining light in these dark times for Afghan girls and providing educational opportunities.

"This week was the end of our incredible journey in computer learning. I am so happy that I learned many programs in this course. The knowledge and skills I've learned not only solve my own problems but have also enabled me to assist others with their computer problems. I am proud of the progress I have made during my learning in this awesome course. Thank you, AAFF for providing me with this valuable opportunity to learn computer programs."

Our generous community of donors has made it possible for AAFF to begin another round of the computer training course at the beginning of April. Currently, 139 students are enrolled and are eagerly attending class 5 days a week. We look forward to all our students will accomplish by the time they complete the course at the beginning of July.

Students working on a project

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Feb 16, 2024
Computer Training Centers for Afghan Girls Update

By Missy Simmons | Director of Organizational Development

Life for girls and women in Afghanistan continues to be very restrictive. Girls are still not permitted to attend school beyond 6th grade, which is why it is imperative to equip girls to learn so they can continue to learn once they leave school.

AAFF's computer training course graduated another 130 Afghan girls at the end of December. AAFF is proud of the girls' accomplishments and are amazed at how their computer skills are giving them hope.

At the end of the course, students complete a final project.

One student said, "Completing this project was a significant milestone for me. It marked my growth from a computer novice to a proficient user, but more importantly it was a symbol of empowerment - a testament to what we girls can achieve when given the right opportunities."

Another 120 girls are now half way through the 3-month course and are scheduled to graduate at the end of March.

Here is what some of the students are saying:

"One of my passions is to learn computer programs to teach my sisters at home because they cannot attend courses due to the restrictions on girls."

"I really enjoyed this week's lessons and activities because I realized that I am a talented and intelligent person who can learn computer fast and easy."

"This course is not just about computers, it's also a great English course where we learn new words every day and it's a fantastic math class. With Excel we are learning to solve mathematical problems much more effectively now."

"I personally have to say that the computer training course has been the best experience I have ever had."

"I am a sixth grade student and I am worried about my next year because I am not sure whether I can continue school or not. But this course that AAFF provides for us is like a single star shining in the dark sky at night."

AAFF is committed to continuing to support Afghan girls in their education. We hope with them that their futures will be bright and they will be able to accomplish their academic dreams. Thank you for your partnership with AAFF to make this vital educational opportunity possible for Afghan girls.

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