Spotlight on Sahar - Stories of Our Lives

Written by Renee Barker

An excerpt from the article:

“We had a 16-year-old student tell us that after the Taliban takeover, she believed her existence didn’t matter. She felt like she didn’t even matter,” said Executive Director, Meetra Alokozay, “But after attending these classes, forming a community with other girls, and speaking her mind, she believes she is someone. She exists, and it matters, and she has a better view of her future now. And stories like these make the programs worthwhile.”

The list of programs and opportunities is extensive, ranging from teaching women and girls IT and coding, to reading, writing, and sewing to earn a living wage. The program, Underground TechSHeroes, educates women and girls on the basics of computers, MS Office, and website building. It is a 12-month course and has already trained over 400 girls. Their Threads of Hope program is particularly advantageous for women who have never had access to fundamental educational rights, such as reading and writing. Alongside these essential skills, women are trained in tailoring and are provided with a sewing machine at the end of the course, enabling them to take their work home and help support their families financially. The Empowerment Bridge is a resource hub that includes resources on DV intervention, mental health, further education opportunities, and job opportunities.

Read the entire article on the Stories of Our Lives Substack>>