KABUL (Pajhwok): In a small building with a wooden roof and worn-out walls in Kabul’s Chehl Dokhtaran area, more than 100 children gather every day to study at an educational centre run by a 19-year-old girl with the support of volunteer teachers.
In its “Women’s Mirror” programme, Pajhwok Afghan News highlights the story of a young woman who, after education for girls above sixth grade was suspended, continued her studies online for two years despite restrictions. She later established a learning centre for underprivileged children in her neighbourhood.
Samira Ahmadi, a resident of Koh-i-Chehl Dokhtaran in Kabul’s 13th district, said: “After schools were closed to girls above sixth grade, I managed to continue the remaining two years of my education online. This year, I also received a scholarship from a Canadian college and am currently studying online.”
Motivation behind establishing the centre
Samira said she had wanted to become a teacher since childhood and was always thinking about ways to achieve that goal.
She studied up to grade 10 at Sayed-ul-Shuhada School in Kabul’s Dasht-i-Barchi area. “On May 18, 2021, an incident occurred at our school in which dozens of my classmates and friends were killed. The idea of creating a place for children’s education came from that tragedy. I also lost one of my close childhood friends in that attack,” she said.
“Therefore, I decided to provide educational opportunities for children here, so that those living in Koh-i-Chehl Dokhtaran would not experience the same childhood we did. They can come here and receive better education, especially because educational centres are far from our homes.”
She said some of the victims of that attack were also residents of Koh-i-Chehl Dokhtaran.
After the tragedy, Samira started a small class at her home where she helped neighbouring children with their studies. That initiative has now developed into the “Etrat” educational centre, providing learning opportunities for around 100 boys and girls aged between six and 15. The centre has 15 volunteer teachers.
“The place where we currently teach has one classroom and a hallway, and we use both as classrooms,” she said. “In addition to their school lessons, students also learn the Holy Quran, English and drawing.”
Samira said her goal was to help children learn and grow. “Many people in this area are not literate, and the culture of reading and the importance of education have not been fully established among them.
“Most residents of Koh-i-Chehl Dokhtaran are migrants from Baghlan, Bamyan and Daikundi provinces who came here due to drought, and education was not a major priority for many of them.”
She said most students attend the centre free of charge due to financial difficulties, while some others pay a small fee of up to 100 afghanis to help cover the rent.
Future of Etrat educational centre
Samira said the centre started with limited resources but has continued its activities with the support of families, volunteer teachers and students’ enthusiasm.
“My dream is to one day see Etrat become a large school — a place that currently provides education to more than 100 children and can eventually offer educational opportunities to thousands,” she said.
Benazir, one of the teachers at Etrat, said that despite living far from the centre, she continues to teach there because of her passion for education.
“The first day I entered Etrat, students who did not know me called me ‘teacher’. That moment gave me a wonderful feeling. I was truly happy, and then decided to stay and work for children’s education,” she said.
Local residents appreciate the centre
Samira said: “People know me as ‘Samira and her children’. I can say that I now have more than 100 children, and like a mother, I have always been concerned about their health and education.”
Referring to the condition of the centre, she said: “You can see that Etrat is a small place with a wooden roof and damaged walls, but during winter I was always worried that the roof might collapse one day.”
Bibi Zainab, a local resident, said she and her husband were illiterate and could not help their daughter with her studies.
“My daughter comes here every day and continues her lessons. She has also learned the Holy Quran. Samira serves our children like a mother,” she said.
Student: Our teacher is very kind
Razia, a third-grade student at the centre, said: “I read the Holy Quran and study my school lessons. Our teacher is very good and very kind.”
Education expert’s view
Education expert Jamaluddin Soleimani praised the establishment of home-based educational centres, calling them a positive initiative.
“I appreciate the creation of such educational spaces and consider them a positive step,” he said.
He added that such efforts could be effective because children who lack support at home can continue their studies, receive additional learning and develop their skills.
He said these centres also make education more accessible for families and increase parents’ trust. With fewer barriers related to time, transportation and distance, children can receive education more effectively.
Overall, the establishment of this educational centre by a young woman is considered a positive step toward creating learning opportunities for disadvantaged children and deserves support and encouragement.
hz/sa
