From Illiteracy to Inspiration: A Young Woman’s Journey Toward Education

One of our exceptional participants in the Afghan Youth Mentorship, in her 20s, found herself in a challenging situation. Like many Afghan girls, she had married at a young age. However, due to tumultuous circumstances, she had to leave her spouse and three children behind in Afghanistan. Despite never having the opportunity to attend school, she held onto a dream of pursuing an education. 

The emotional strain of being separated from her children left her feeling lost and disheartened before joining our Youth Program. When I met her during the recruitment phase, her story resonated deeply with me. It was evident that she possessed a strong inner drive, but she needed support to realize her aspirations. After speaking with her parents personally, I secured their consent for her to join our mentorship sessions. 

As she became involved in the program, I witnessed her remarkable progress day by day. She began by learning to read her primary language, Pashto, and gradually started learning basic English vocabulary. Despite being 22 years old and unable to attend high school, she enrolled in adult education classes. Her goal is to obtain her GED and pursue further studies, with ambitions of becoming a writer or teacher someday. Her journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education and support. Through her dedication and the guidance provided by our program, she is forging a new path toward a brighter future.