Her Dreams Deserve A Chance; PAIR Students Launch An Inspiring Initiative
Houston-Based Afghan Refugee Students Launch Education Initiative for Girls in Afghanistan
As volunteers, staff members, and friends of PAIR, important lessons of compassion and humility are learned every day from the students we serve. PAIR’s ultimate goal is to support refugees and newcomer students in navigating American society, reaching their academic potential, and becoming community leaders. Many refugee students have endured hardships beyond what can be imagined. Despite this, the students highlighted in this blog have demonstrated a fire and drive that is rarely seen.
Recently, a group of students embodying resilience and true leadership in action came together. These five PAIR high school girls grew up in Afghanistan, where education has long been a passion for many women and girls. As the Taliban’s control over the nation strengthened, Afghans were stripped of the rights they had come to expect, including access to education. Many women have lost their lives—either at their own hands or the hands of others—due to the denial of this fundamental right. The idea that someone could suddenly be excluded from education is a chilling reality.
One might assume that now, having settled in Houston, these girls would focus entirely on their own education—a privilege that many students born in the U.S. enjoy without a second thought. However, for one of the girls, inspiration struck while reflecting on the actions of Sima Samar, an Afghan human rights advocate who was one of the first women in Afghanistan to publicly fight for women’s rights. To her supporters, she is known as “mother” for her shelters that provide resources to women, children, and their families, helping them navigate life under the Taliban’s oppressive regime.
“In the intoxication of being twenty and swept up by my reading, I hoped to live in the light of day, in joy, refusing submission, shackles and conformity.”
Deeply inspired by Samar’s legacy but unsure of how to begin, the student turned to her four best friends. Determined to create their own legacy of impact, these incredible young women launched an education initiative to support girls in Afghanistan.
Here’s how it works: They have connected with three volunteer teachers in Afghanistan who are willing to create an online module to teach English to what they hope will be 100 girls. The ability to communicate in English is vital for these women and girls as it allows them to apply for scholarships and other forms of funding that can potentially get them out of the country. Many girls are not allowed to leave their homes at all, so going to a physical location for schooling is impossible. Therefore, the girls have decided that virtual classes that teach the language would be the most effective. The program is designed with three levels—Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced—to accommodate learners at all proficiency stages.
However, they need additional support to bring this vision to life. The first phase of the project requires $2,400 to fund teacher stipends and provide internet access for the participating students. To raise these funds, the girls have launched a GoFundMe campaign and are seeking community support.
This initiative is a testament to the bravery, selflessness, intelligence, and leadership of these young women. It exemplifies PAIR’s mission to help students reach their full potential and become leaders in their communities. Supporting this effort is a simple yet meaningful way to make a meaningful impact.
Join in supporting these brilliant young women and their life-changing project here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-afghan-girls-access-online-learning.