Afghan Institute of Learning

Visiting Our Programs

2/17/2018

I wanted to share with you what I see when I visit our programs in Afghanistan. There is much good work being done and people's lives are improving.

Health clinics
After a recent visit to one of our medical clinics; I see that people are much healthier and they are eating nutritious foods. They are taking care of their hygiene and that of their children. Even though they are poor and not able to afford meat, they have learned how to combine different legumes and vegetables to get all the vitamins and minerals and protein they need for a balanced diet. The result is they are living healthier lives.
The people have also learned about all aspects of reproductive health; how having fewer children is better and to space out births. This leads to a better economic situation for the whole family with enough resources to go round and for all to lead a better life. Women learn about safe pregnancy and birth practices so the risks are reduced for mothers and babies.

Mobile Literacy Classes
The Mobile Literacy Classes are very popular and remarkably effective. Most students progress from no letter comprehension to 4th grade literacy level by the end of the 4 month course. The course teaches literacy through texting on mobile phones.
The mobile phone texting keeps students working on and renewing their reading skills which means they reinforce the learning everyday as well as learning new things each day. If it was not for the mobile phones they would stop after a while or get disheartened or bored without a classroom or teacher to prompt the. The texting enables them to be very creative learners and do different things with their phones such as learn mathematics, so business, manage money and household budgeting. Other subjects they use the phone for include planning saving and investing of money, teaching husbands and children to read and do math. The reach of the mobile literacy class goes beyond the students who attend.

Radio Meraj
Radio Meraj is a private station but the Afghan Institute of Learning provides programming and other support. Radio and TV can reach the poor and illiterate and the isolated in society educating and informing many people from different backgrounds. Many of our listeners do not go out very often or very far from home because there is no school to go to or they lack the money for transportation or there is no transportation for them to use. These people especially women can stay at home taking care of house and family but still learn by listening to Radio Meraj or watching TV.
We are teaching them education things, health knowledge, news but also teaching them about their rights as human beings, as citizens. They learn how to get help from AIL’s legal clinic. Afghanistan is a poor country and there is much violence against women so helping women, through the radio or TV, learn about their rights is beneficial to them.

People are keen to learn, to be healthier and to have greater opportunity in life. AIL is helping them achieve these goals.

Sakena

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Dr.Yacoobi response to 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize

12/21/2016

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It is a great honor to be chosen as a 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate. This year the Sunhak Peace Prize focuses its attention on the global refugee crisis. It is a privilege to be recognized along with Dr. Gino Strada as someone who has contributed to helping refugees and helping in their resettlement.

I became a refugee in 1979 after the invasion of my country. My family all became refugees. I know what it feels like to be in a place where all of your rights have been taken away from you. I know how it feels to lose everything you have, including your dignity and self-confidence. That is why I founded the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), and that is why I have chosen to work with Afghan refugees and the resettlement of Afghan refugees and IDPs in Afghanistan for the last 24 years. I wanted to find a way to help Afghans rebuild their self-respect and self-confidence; I wanted them to be able to trust again, rebuild their communities and reestablish their core values; I wanted them to able to live in peace and harmony and have a sustainable way of life.

When I first went to the refugee camps in Pakistan, I saw courage in the women, men and children, but I also saw despair and hopelessness. I knew that I wanted to do something to transform the minds and spirits of my people. I knew that to build trust, I needed to listen to them; I needed to include them and their ideas in programs that they wanted, and I needed to ask each community to contribute something to their projects. Their contributions would give them self-worth and dignity. In other words, I wanted them to become partners with us. And, because education has changed my life, I decided that the solution to transforming the lives of my people lay in offering them holistic education—education that would empower them, give them health, critical thinking skills, and skills to earn a living so that they could be self-sufficient
—education that would help them to be creative and have vision—education that gave them wisdom but also taught them about love and compassion. Most importantly, because I am a spiritual person and I believe that God created all of us as equal human beings, I made up my mind to include universal core values that bring peace and harmony for all in any work that I decided to do with my people.
When you share love, compassion and wisdom, you provide humanity with an indestructible base for living in peace and harmony that no one can take away. You create an environment where everyone respects each other’s rights and appreciates different cultures, traditions, religions and ideas. With love, compassion and wisdom as your base, then everyone globally can live in harmony and peace.

Globally, if all are educated and have equal opportunity for a holistic educational system, you can overcome poverty and disease. Then, there is no war. We live in an era of conflict, mass displacement, growing hatred and great distrust. We need to look at the situation deeply and remember that we are all humans created equally by God. We must share and collaborate with each other to make this world a better place for everyone.
Dr.Sakena Yacoobi

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Thoughts on the World Humanitarian Summit

8/23/2016

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Can we change how things are done in the humanitarian field? I think we can. The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) showed that we can think collectively and come up with solutions where we act collaboratively and address problems at the root. This makes me hopeful that humanitarian action will become more effective and more targeted and more recipient friendly.
Modern thinking has caught up with the fact that addressing singular issues in isolation does not solve problems. Everything is intertwined; education with health, poverty with education and economic opportunity and so on. The effective way forward is to combine issues, combine resources, combine solutions to problems and combine all players in the field. This is what I have found works in my programs. Provide healthcare so healthier people can then learn, gain education and be equipped to take advantage of economic opportunity and care for their families.
Funding has tended to drop down from the top to middle men and not all has gone directly through to on the ground NGOs. This approach leaves too much latitude and room for error, corruption and misdirection. We need to make use of local grassroots NGOs as the major implementer of program to create sustainable change. We should be connecting with local civil society as they are the stability which will ensure that change is cemented and more local people receive help. I like the idea of cash food vouchers presented at WHS. Give the people autonomy and invest in the local economies by giving refugees buying power. This is a more democratic way and avoids the pitfalls of food aid where the very young and old get left out as the strong get more. You avoid the corruption and middle men lose leverage.
We must maintain a focus on education especially for the displaced and refugee populations so they do not get behind and become a lost generation to education. We must also give a voice and a place at the table to the people who need aid. Action committees should have half their members made up of aid recipients and 10% should be youth. Get these people involved, see what they can do, they are in touch with what is needed and will work. They are living it and are the ones who know.
Change occurs in a series of steps and we should not feel discouraged. We are taking steps one at a time in the right direction to better more effective humanitarian action.
Dr. Sakena Yacoobi

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Teach Men that Education is not a Threat

12/27/2014

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This article was originally posted on the Skoll World Forum site. Click here.

Article by Dr. Sakena Yacoobi

Many in the international development community focus on the education of women and girls, sometimes to the exclusion of educating men. While I believe it is vital to educate women and girls, I also believe it is a mistake to leave men out of the process.

My father was a successful businessman, well respected in the community. Though he was illiterate, he insisted that his children attend school. As the eldest child, I began learning to read at a local mosque. Soon, I was attending school.

I loved learning. After high school, I had the opportunity to attend a university in the United States, and my father was my biggest supporter. Though he was not what most people would think of as “educated”, he was knowledgeable, wise, very open-minded, and a just and honest man; because of this he was often chosen to mediate disputes.

After completing my studies in the U.S., I returned to work with my people in the Pakistan refugee camps. I found my people struggling with a lack of education, knowledge, wisdom and open-mindedness. Years of war had devastated our culture and torn apart the education and health systems, leaving people unable to adequately care for themselves and their families. The only thing they knew was survival and war.

Helping Afghans improve their lives through education

Working with refugee camp leaders, we began to train teachers and establish schools for boys and girls. I founded the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) and began supporting secret home schools for girls inside Afghanistan. Once the Taliban fell, we were able to operate openly and began working closely with communities to establish Learning Centers for women and older girls.

Our goal is to help Afghans improve their lives. In our schools and centers, students not only study the established curriculum, they also learn critical thinking skills, open-mindedness, wisdom and ethics – all qualities that my father, an “uneducated” man, had in abundance.

My father’s insistence on education forever changed the course of my life, and so I believe that a well-rounded education is the best way to improve people’s lives and to make lasting change for everyone – women, girls, men, boys, young, old. Educated, wise women help their families financially and raise educated, wise children. Educated, wise men do not abuse women or children and recognize the worth and value of women and children.

Boys demand education too

Let me tell you a story. One day in early 2002, I went with my female staff to visit one of our Women’s Learning Centers in rural Kabul. Suddenly a group of teenage boys with weapons appeared, blocking the road.

Our driver stopped the car and asked what they wanted. Pointing to me, they said, “We want to talk to her.” Although my heart was pounding, I opened the door, got out of the car and asked them what they wanted. Their leader said, “Every day we watch your car come and visit your centers for women and girls. They are learning to read. What about us? We have been fighting and living in caves since we were little boys. Now we are too old for school, but we want to study. What can you do for us?”

At the time, we only had funding for females, and I had no idea where to find funding for boys education, but I said, “Give me a week.” They said, “We will be waiting.”

I went back to my room, praying and wondering what to do. Suddenly my phone rang. It was a donor who was very supportive of our work. Listening to my voice, she asked, “What is wrong?” I told her. She said, “Start your center for boys. I will find the funds.”

And she did. Those boys went to school, studied hard and also learned about human rights, cleanliness, manners and ethics. Their parents were so happy! Soon they were able to transition into regular school.

All graduated from high school. Many went on to university or to study computers. Then and now, they have made sure that AIL has no security concerns in their communities. Today their daughters are going to school.

Open minds will make lasting change

There are those in Afghanistan who do not want women and girls to be educated. If we are to make lasting change, we need to open the minds of all who are still ignorant. They need to see that an educated girl or boy is not a threat to their culture, but is someone who will help to improve the whole community.

The women who come to our centers feel the same way. Men and boys need to be educated, not ignored. They need to be included in workshops and seminars with women and girls so that they can listen and exchange ideas and know that education is not a threat to them but is something that improves the lives of everyone.

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Song inspires Afghans to vote

5/27/2014

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On April 5th 2014, an historic election was held in Afghanistan. Over 7 million voters participated, and the elections were generally a peaceful affair.

We, at AIL, held election workshops leading up to the vote, and asked the managers of our Learning Centers to educate their students about: why the vote was important, what steps they needed to take in order to vote, how to research and select candidates, and how to vote.

The effort to encourage Afghans to vote was not limited to our workshops and Learning Centers however. At a private school owned by Dr. Sakena Yacoobi (our CEO) the Arts and Culture Teacher, Mehrjui, set a poem she had written about the election to music. The song encourages all Afghans to become aware of their responsibilities, to select a good candidate for President and to vote. The PSYPS Arts and Culture students sang this song at a celebration on International Women’s Day as well as at our election workshops. The song was incredibly well received, moving many in the audience.

The students, staff, and administration at the school quickly realized how powerful their song was, so with the help of the AIL Academic Advisor and the AIL video production team, they set about recording their song so that it could be shared with a wider audience. They had no idea how popular the song was about to become.

The song quickly went viral, being aired on Afghanistan’s National TV station, as well as on eleven other stations.

The song has been played many times over and candidates running for president even asked if they could buy the song to use in their campaign! The PSYPS students and staff declined to sell the song, deciding the purpose of the song was to encourage all Afghans to participate in the elections, not to support just one candidate. As Afghanistan moves closer to a run off election this summer, the song continues to be played on the radio and the video over the airwaves. In short, the song continues to encourage Afghans to participate in the upcoming elections and to make sure their voices are heard.

We encourage you to take a moment to view the video made by the students, to read the lyrics below and to see the hope in these young people’s faces. After watching, we hope that you will stand with the youth of Afghanistan, and join us as we work with them to create a peaceful future for their nation.

Election Song Lyrics
(English translation)

Chorus
Let’s put our hands together, let’s get together.
Our hands hold our votes and our votes hold our future.
With one vote, we can be our sultan, our voice
For a better choice for a better leader
My fellow citizen It’s my vote, it’s your vote
It’s a privilege for enduring peace
My dear fellow citizen, with our vote leadership is in our hand
My fellow citizen, stride, my fellow citizen!
With the name of God, we speak from the power of our thoughts
From our decision, unity, humanity and right
No longer speak of suicide bombing, explosion, but of creativity and pride
Don’t speak of the hills under the thorn
Speak of the friendship of verdant soil and the rose garden
Speak of spring, spring and spring

Narration
Let’s hope that this spring Afghanistan will turn into a magnificent garden.
A garden in which the smell of every rose invites the world for a spectacle.
Let’s hope for a different spring, for a different year and for a different Afghanistan
Don’t forget my fellow citizen, our rendezvous is in front of ballot boxes on April 5, 2014

Chorus
Our choice is the remedy
Our choice is for the day of rendezvous
Who we want will be crowned sultan
My fellow citizen, stride, my fellow citizen!
Attend the opportunity with passion and turn the enemies into wretches
This colored finger is the guiding path and this fist is the hummer for the oppressor
My fellow citizen, stride, my fellow citizen!

دستی به دستم ده تا یکجا شویم دیگر
در دست مان است رای ما و آینده کشور
سلطان خویش آوای خویش باشیم با یک رای
تا انتخاب خوب برای بهترین رهبر
تا انتخاب خوب برای بهترین رهبر
رای من و تو است وطندار
امتیاز صلح پایدار

رهبری به دست ماست با رای ما جانا وطندار
رهبری به دست ماست با رای ما جانا وطندار
وطندار وطندار وطندار گام بردار
وطندار وطندار وطندار گام بردار
بنام پروردگار از قدرت افکار خویش سخن میگویم
از تصمیم خویش از یکی بودن خویش از انسان بودن خویش از حق خویش
دیگر از انتحار و انفجار نگو. از ابتکار و افتخار بگو

از تپه های ترک های زیر خار نگو
از آشنایی خاک سبز گلزار بگو
دیگر از بهار و از بهار و از بهار بگو

به امید اینگه در بهار امسال افغانستان تبدیل به باغ با شکوهی شود که عطر و بوی هر لاله اش جهانی را به تماشا وا دارد
به امید بهار متفاوت سال متفاوت مردم متفاوت و افغانستان متفاوت
وطندار وعده دیدار ۱۶ ماه حمل سال۱۳۹۳ پای صندوق های رای
انتخابت جاره ای کار

انتخابم روز دیدار
هر که را من خواهم و که او شود سلطان و تاجدار
وطندار وطندار وطندار گام بردار
وطندار وطندار وطندار گام بردار
با حظور گرم به میدان
دشمنان را خار گردان
انگشت را راه بساز این مشت به فرق ستمدار
وطندار وطندار وطندار گام بردار
وطندار وطندار وطندار گام بردار

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7 Million Afghans Vote!

4/7/2014

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AIL staff teach about elections.

“I came…to eat lunch. I was not going to vote; neither was my family. After this assembly, my family and I are going to vote. Thank you for helping me stop ignorance.”

On April 5, 2014, 7 million Afghans, 35% of them women, courageously stepped out onto the street, in rain and insecurity, lined up at the polls and voted for the leaders who, the people hope, will lead them to peace.

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) was at the forefront of the get-out-the-vote effort. Trusted by Afghans, AIL has brought quality, culturally appropriate education to over 300,000 women and children since 1996. In the last year AIL has held election workshops, symposiums and conferences for over 10,000 women, men and youth. The purpose of these conferences was to gather diverse members of society - young, old; poor, rich; women, men; rural, urban focusing especially on youth and women. At the conferences they discussed: their problems; the problems of society as well as the significant issues of the country and the world; the importance of elections; the mechanics of how to vote; and, especially, the responsibility of each person to evaluate the quality and character of each candidate and vote wisely. Even if the participants were educated, they still lacked knowledge about the election process and their right to be part of it. People do not automatically see the relevance to their lives or their place and power in the process. Electing judges can seem more relevant to them as they come into contact with courts but not so with politicians. All those at the conferences were thinking about a bright future for Afghanistan. The conferences attracted media coverage with both TV and radio reporters attending, and the messages of the conferences reached millions.

One participant said: “I liked the information we were given about elections. The speakers spoke so clearly with real life examples. They explained about the dignity of women and their role in elections. The lectures affected me and I felt a lot of motivation to take part in elections because before I had believed voting in the elections was sinful as I had not researched about the personalities and future plans of candidates. AIL proved that it is my right and I have to vote for someone I think is the right person. Despite being educated I had always ignored finding out about civil affairs of community. In this conference AIL encouraged me to feel a sense of responsibility and to help the community change for the better. I am going to research the profiles and programs of all candidates and vote for the one that has the best programs for women.”

In the last days before the election, AIL was invited to be part of an Election Assembly for 2,000 people in a rural village. AIL trainers spoke about the role of citizens in elections and the importance of the participation of both men and women so as to build a prosperous future for themselves and Afghanistan. They encouraged participants to allow women to take voting cards and to vote for the person they believe is a good leader.

One of the participants said, “The interesting discussions changed my negative mind. To be honest, I came to this place to eat lunch because I was not going to vote in the election; neither was my family. But, the speakers’ words convinced me to vote in the election as an Afghan citizen. Today I found out that I was wrong. After this assembly, my family and I are going to vote. Thank you for helping me stop ignorance”.

The result was seen on April 5th as 7 million Afghans voted! Congratulations to the courageous women, men and youth of Afghanistan for voting for the future of their country!!! This is truly an historic occasion!

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Visiting Our Programs

Dr.Yacoobi response to 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize

Thoughts on the World Humanitarian Summit

Teach Men that Education is not a Threat

Song inspires Afghans to vote

7 Million Afghans Vote!

Author

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Visiting Our Programs

﻿Dr.Yacoobi response to 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize

Thoughts on the World Humanitarian Summit

Teach Men that Education is not a Threat

Song inspires Afghans to vote

7 Million Afghans Vote!

Author

Archives

Categories

Dr.Yacoobi response to 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize