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S N A P
HADA by Saeda
H
ada is a 9th grader resident of Paghman district. School was going well for her until the 9th grade. She would enjoy going to school with hopes and dreams, looking forward to graduating and pursuing a career as a teacher, where she would be able to support her family of four. Her family members include her mother, a sister who is in the first grade, and a five-yearold brother. Life was difficult for Hada in the absence of her father, who had died in a suicide attack many years ago. Despite being busy with school, Hada would wash clothes of the rich through-
out Kabul by her mother’s side in order to continue living and find a piece of bread for her younger siblings. In spite of the hardships she faced, Heda wanted to finish school to find employment as a teacher so she could support her family and keep her sick mother from washing. Yet the Coronavirus pandemic closed the doors of schools, and the Taliban banned girls from returning once the pandemic subsided. Left with no choice but being patient, Hada is heartbroken, and feels that she has no hope of getting a university education.
NAGINA
W
ARIFA
by Starah
hen the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and forbade girls from going to school, my close friend Nagina Akaya was sad and depressed. Nagina was always eager to learn and acquire knowledge, under the belief that school illuminates a person’s future. She considers school as her second home and says that she learned the true meaning of life and how to live in school. Yet, she was forced to dropout of school in
11th grade. Nagina believes that if she goes to school, she would become a more useful member of society. She says that by not going to school, poverty and destitution will cover our society. Nagina says that if the government wants, it can facilitate many ways for girls to study. With the government not paying attention to girls, she says she has no hope of living.
MURSAL by Nargis
M
usal was 24 years old, studying law at Kabul University, before the Taliban takeover. When the Taliban came in her third year of University, the Taliban banned schooling for girls, and she was forced to cease her studies. Now, Nargis finds herself dreaming of going back to university. Though, nowa-
days studying for Afghan women is like a dream that may not come true. Upon being asked of her reaction if the Taliban were to allow girls to learn in schools, she responded “maybe you [would] see the tears of happiness in my eyes and I’ll go with fantastic positive energy and complete my studies”.
by Somaie
A
rifa graduated with a degree in Stomatology (oral medicine) from Kabul Medical University. During her studies she went through a lot of hardships and problems. Whether it was economic problems, or her father’s illness, it was difficult. Particular hardship occurred when her family had to travel to Iran for her father’s treatment, but she stayed in Afghanistan to continue her studies. All these hardships made her stronger than before and gave her more effort and perseverance to fulfill her dreams and finish her studies at the master’s level. After graduation, she started her work in this department or field and worked in several clinics and gained enough skills and experience to work at her current job at a top Kabul dental clinic. Her great enthusiasm and interest in this field has led her to want to continue her studies so she can better serve society with her profession.