Providing Education to Displaced Afghans
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, CW4WAfghan has remained nimble and strategic in how we offer our education programs. Our free programs support both those in Afghanistan as well as Afghans who are internally displaced or have fled to neighboring countries such as Pakistan or to elsewhere in the region such as Turkey.
In many countries in the region around Afghanistan where Afghans have fled it is exceedingly challenging for them to obtain official refugee status. Further, many displaced Afghans lack official documentation or residency status, making it impossible to enroll their children in local schools. The longer children’s education is interrupted, the more likely it becomes that they will never return to school.
An alternative is urgently needed, and we are taking the next steps to keep Afghans learning—no matter where they are.
Digital Learning Centres
DLCs were conceptualized by CW4WAfghan as spaces that provide displaced Afghans with access to high-quality, relevant, online learning programs where education would otherwise be unavailable. Designed with a 20-station computer lab in a classroom-like space, Afghans can access synchronous and asynchronous courses via our DD Academi. These spaces are focused on youth education, but offer classes for all ages, and also feature a community library that offers books in several Afghan languages.
CW4WAfghan Senior Director, Murwarid Ziayee, describing her interactions with DLC students“Most of the children are working in shops or doing street work such as polishing shoes and selling groceries. They work for five to six hours per day. They were sharp and very brave to speak about their lives and how they suffer from lack of education.”
On-Site Assistance
The first DLC has been established in a safe location and is accessible to the Afghan community. Students enrolled in the DLC are expected to require digital support, and a facilitator will be on site to support students with their online classes, organize peer learning, help with tutoring, and provide technical troubleshooting. Digital literacy classes will also be offered.
A second Digital Learning Centre is slated to open in Turkey in late 2023.
Are you interested in providing educational opportunities to displaced Afghans?
We are now accepting donations to support our Digital Learning Centre in Turkey!
Please select “Digital Learning Centres” in the dropdown menu.