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American Children's Healing Words Delivered To Afghan Students
For the first time in six years, brightly colored crayons, notebooks, and other school supplies covered the desks of Hope School. Filled to capacity, 350 Afghan boys and girls attending grades one through eight had finally began receiving the knowledge they had been craving. Find out what OBI and children across America did to help in their learning process...
Children across America have written and drawn notes of encouragement to child strangers in a land most of them will not ever visit. Participating schools and organizations include the second grade class of Brooklyn, New York's Precious Blood Catholic School and Richmond, Virginia's Victory Christian Academy. Earlier this month, Operation Blessing's relief worker had the opportunity to give 350 of these notes as well as school supplies to the Afghan students of Hope School. Here is his report...
Samira is eighteen years old. She has six younger brothers and sisters. Her mother is sick, and her father makes very little through odd jobs. They have lived through the Russian invasion, the factional fighting and the Taliban rule. Samira desires to be a doctor, and wants to have a good education. Before the Taliban came to power, she was doing well in school. Her teachers thought very highly of her. Samira’s hopes were crushed during the Taliban rule. Girls were not allowed to go to school. Women were not allowed to go to work. However, Samira continued to secretly study until her father feared for her life and destroyed the books. During the Taliban rule Samira filled her days by doing house chores and taking care of her siblings. Thankfully, things changed when the Taliban was defeated by the US forces.
Recently the nearby private Hope School announced open registration for 350 boys and girls, grades one though eight. Samira was the first one at the gate. The principal asked her, “What is the age of your daughter you wished to register?”
Samira replied, “I have no daughter but I wish to register myself for the classes.” After a lengthy discussion the principal agreed to let Samira join the other eight year olds in the third grade. Samira was not embarrassed for being with the eight year olds but was excited to attend school.
Operation Blessing helped the students of Hope School by giving notebooks, pens, sharpeners, erasers, ruler and various sports equipment to the excited students in a special ceremony. In unison, the children thanked Operation Blessing for remembering them. My heart was filled with joy to see boys and girls attending school together for the first time after six years of Taliban rule.
In addition to the school supplies, special cards from American children like those from Precious Blood Catholic School were passed out to the students. Some stared at the cards and said, “These cards look beautiful. Can I have them?”
“Yes, you may have them,” I said. Blank cards were also given to them so they could respond to their new American friends. Some were shy and others did not know what to write. The children borrowed different color crayons from each other and drew colorful pictures.
One of them said, “I am so glad to receive the card from someone from America. Thank you very much for remembering me.”
“We started the school during the Taliban regime," commented the school's principle. "I requested that girls be allowed to attend my school, but they refused. Today, there are smiling faces of girls in my school. Our children are our future of Afghanistan.
"We would like to thank your committee for remembering us in giving school supplies for our children. This means a lot to us. Please do not stop here; the children do not have uniforms, winter jackets and proper shoes. If you could help us in this also we would be very thankful. Once again in behalf of Hope School thank you.”
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