Support for Projects in Development
AIL is continuing to work on supporting the development of new private projects, opening the Women’s University and TV Meraj in Herat.
Women’s University
The women’s university is not yet open as we await government approval and permissions. In the meantime, AIL staff have been creative setting up classes under our status as an institute which permits us to provide higher education courses. The year-long Women’s Empowerment Group is one such class. The women who participate will ultimately gain a certificate which can be used towards a degree.
We are also running leadership classes and English classes which are higher education level and will count towards a degree. The Yacoobi English Language Learning Center is both a center and provides instruction for students who wish to attend university. The language instruction is very intensive and we cater to a variety of ages; some students are young and very smart while others are older and preparing for university entrance.
Women’s University
The women’s university is not yet open as we await government approval and permissions. In the meantime, AIL staff have been creative setting up classes under our status as an institute which permits us to provide higher education courses. The year-long Women’s Empowerment Group is one such class. The women who participate will ultimately gain a certificate which can be used towards a degree.
We are also running leadership classes and English classes which are higher education level and will count towards a degree. The Yacoobi English Language Learning Center is both a center and provides instruction for students who wish to attend university. The language instruction is very intensive and we cater to a variety of ages; some students are young and very smart while others are older and preparing for university entrance.
TV Meraj
TV Meraj is ready to start broadcasting but awaiting governmental approval and the assignment of a digital frequency. The station’s programs will have similar content to Radio Meraj focusing on AIL’s educational programming and news reporting as well as cultural content such as Afghan poetry and music. TV equipment has been purchased and the physical facility in the AIL Herat office building is ready.
Two staff members are creating an archive of programs for use when the station starts broadcasting. One month’s work included filming Mother’s Day celebrations and the British Council International Schools Award. The TV film crew visited the school as part of their film making. During the month, staff conducted training of a photographer. They visited AIL’s health clinics and Learning Centers as they prepared programs. The film crew also followed Dr. Yacoobi’s trip to Panjsher Province in July 2019.
The station will enable AIL educational programming to be broadcast to many thousands of women who are unable to attend an AIL center because of household responsibilities or problems of accessibility or security. We are excited to open this new chapter in AIL’s education for women, children and men.
The Meraj Media Group continues to produce quality short videos about AIL's work and Dr. Yacoobi's messages which are regularly posted on social media.