Help Afghan Communities Help Themselves

Recently, AIL was asked by the Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs to report on the impact AIL’s programs have had. We were amazed by our findings. Since beginning in 1996 through May 2009, AIL has supported 315 schools or educational learning centers and 13 health clinics. Most of them are community-based. 220,970 Afghans have been educated in AIL schools, centers and post-secondary programs, 998,088 Afghans have received health services and 1.5 million women and children have received health education. Overall 6,778,026 Afghan lives have been directly impacted by AIL programs.

AIL’s goal is to help Afghan people and communities gain the skills and knowledge they need to become self-sufficient. Almost all of AIL’s Educational Learning Centers are community-based. AIL offers many different classes at Educational Learning Centers, and, thanks to your donations, 8,922 Afghan’s have been trained at AIL’s centers during the first 6 months of 2009.

Here is the story of Kubra, a young woman who returned to Afghanistan from Iran. “I heard about the center in my town and have found that it is ideal for me because it has great teachers and the education I receive is high quality. First I was admitted to the tailoring course, and after I passed it I was advised by my teacher to take the advanced class. After completing this course, I became a professional tailor. I am very fortunate; I have many customers and often stay up until midnight sewing my customer’s dresses. I also have a contract with the local market and sew products according to their orders. Before I came to this AIL center, I was a very disappointed person and I thought I could not do anything to help my family. What I am now is because of the AIL center in our area.”