Support Education for Marginalized Kabul Children

Kabul, August 16^th 2018. The latest in a series of attacks on schools. At least 34 people were killed by the suicide bomb; most of them young Afghans studying for their exams. Schools are an easy target for militant groups; more than 1000 are now closed for security reasons, and at least 86 have been destroyed by militant attacks this year. The risk of violence has become a grim reality for Afghan children, but also highlights the importance of protecting and promoting education for future generations.

Our Kabul school for street children empowers the community by providing an education for those less fortunate. We now have more than 70 children attending the school; all of whom are also engaged in some form of street work to provide for their families. Our school provides an environment where children can be children. They are taught numeracy, literacy, arts and crafts, and they receive a daily meal.

The children are keen to attend the classes, and they have become more open in sharing their thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the future. The recent introduction of football into the curriculum has been welcomed by the children, and they enjoy feeling part of a team. The football coach supports and promotes female participation in football practices, even though cultural norms and traditional gender roles discourage girls from doing so. Our teachers are engaging with the street children’s families, and explaining the importance of physical education for the children’s learning and well-being.

In Geneva, we have been continuing our efforts to increase awareness of our school for street children. Last month, the main photograph for our project page was selected as a finalist in Global Giving’s Annual Photo Competition. We are also engaged in correspondence with the Mobile School to find ways in which we can reach even more street children in Kabul.

If we can positively influence how children see themselves, their environment, and the future, we can influence society for the better.

Please continue to support us in our quest to change lives.

Warm wishes,

The team at AfD

Links:

• http://www.actfordev.org/street-children-back-to-school/