For many students, having a classroom is something they have by default. But for girls attending an elementary school in a remote community in Daykondi Province, Afghanistan, even having a secure place to learn is not guaranteed.
The school had been operating for years without a proper building. Students continued their education despite having no adequate classrooms to protect them from the harsh elements and changing seasons.
When I learned about their situation, I wanted to find a practical way to help. That idea became Building Hopes, a youth-led project I developed and led through Kids Aid and Relief Support (KARS).
We have one simple goal. To provide these students with a safer and more concrete environment to continue their education. While constructing a permanent school required resources which would be given over a longer period of time, we could provide an immediate solution for now which were temporary classroom tents with carpets for the floors.
Turning that idea into reality was easier said than done. I worked on project planning, fundraising, community outreach, communications, and implementation. We reached out to members of different communities and shared the students' circumstances. Telling the story of these kids hardships so they were able to receive an education, brought more and more people to help.
With generous community support we were able to raise approximately $1,800. The funds were used to provide the tents and carpeting, which were transported to the school and installed shortly after. The tents became temporary classrooms where the children and teachers could gather and continue learning with protection from the changing seasons.
Seeing photos of the students sitting inside their new classroom shelters was one of the most meaningful moments of the project for me. I had never imagined I could rally people to support such a small community they didn’t even know of.
Building Hopes also changed my understanding of leadership. I learned that young people do not need enormous resources to make a meaningful contribution to their and other communities. Sometimes leadership begins with recognizing one problem, developing a realistic solution, bringing people together, and staying committed until the work is completed.
The school had been operating for years without a proper building. Students continued their education despite having no adequate classrooms to protect them from the harsh elements and changing seasons.
When I learned about their situation, I wanted to find a practical way to help. That idea became Building Hopes, a youth-led project I developed and led through Kids Aid and Relief Support (KARS).
We have one simple goal. To provide these students with a safer and more concrete environment to continue their education. While constructing a permanent school required resources which would be given over a longer period of time, we could provide an immediate solution for now which were temporary classroom tents with carpets for the floors.
Turning that idea into reality was easier said than done. I worked on project planning, fundraising, community outreach, communications, and implementation. We reached out to members of different communities and shared the students' circumstances. Telling the story of these kids hardships so they were able to receive an education, brought more and more people to help.
With generous community support we were able to raise approximately $1,800. The funds were used to provide the tents and carpeting, which were transported to the school and installed shortly after. The tents became temporary classrooms where the children and teachers could gather and continue learning with protection from the changing seasons.
Seeing photos of the students sitting inside their new classroom shelters was one of the most meaningful moments of the project for me. I had never imagined I could rally people to support such a small community they didn’t even know of.
Building Hopes also changed my understanding of leadership. I learned that young people do not need enormous resources to make a meaningful contribution to their and other communities. Sometimes leadership begins with recognizing one problem, developing a realistic solution, bringing people together, and staying committed until the work is completed.
