The US Embassy has many programs aimed at reaching out to different populations within our host nations. In Afghanistan (and many other places), we have MicroAccess Scholarships which are aimed at teaching English to lower income kids. In Kabul, one of the places that received these scholarships was a local orphanage. Not surprising to me, the female students are really taking advantage of these opportunities. I visited with them last week and reconnected with why I am in Kabul. These girls are bright - some are shy (not the one in the pictures - she was bold and brave and quite cool actually) and afraid to speak up, but once I broke out my semi-literate Dari they were really interested in talking to me. Of course, it was supposed to be in English so we did pretty good between both languages.
This was a great chance for me to talk to girls and learn how to wear the head scarf correctly and just find out what they like here in Kabul. It is an eye opener since most of these girls have no options once they graduate. A few may get further scholarships to study in schools in India or Kabul, but without extended families to help them, the likelihood that a girl will live on her own are almost nil. The lucky girls may have an uncle who will find them an arranged marriage or they could get employment in the home of a wealthy Afghani. Either way, they don't have the power over their futures I wish all women in the world deserve. Hopefully, the obvious friendship and support they have for each other will help sustain them and a few of them will have a bright future.
This was a great chance for me to talk to girls and learn how to wear the head scarf correctly and just find out what they like here in Kabul. It is an eye opener since most of these girls have no options once they graduate. A few may get further scholarships to study in schools in India or Kabul, but without extended families to help them, the likelihood that a girl will live on her own are almost nil. The lucky girls may have an uncle who will find them an arranged marriage or they could get employment in the home of a wealthy Afghani. Either way, they don't have the power over their futures I wish all women in the world deserve. Hopefully, the obvious friendship and support they have for each other will help sustain them and a few of them will have a bright future.
