We are excited to announce a new project entitled Opportunities and Means for Education and Development (OMED) with our funding partner Educational Opportunity Foundation. Starting on 1st May 2025, this project will support 200 girls aged 12 to 18 across 12 villages in the Kaldar District of Afghanistan, addressing an overwhelming demand from past projects.
Following the recent ban on education for girls over the age of 12, our team has engaged in extensive consultations with community members, teachers, and representatives from the Parent Council to explore alternative educational opportunities for girls. Prior to our intervention in 2020, there were no educational facilities available for girls in Kaldar. Thanks to HealthProm's earlier initiatives, two schools were successfully renovated for girls, and there has been a marked increase in community awareness regarding the importance of girls' education.
With the support of Educational Opportunity Foundation, we have been able to expand the reach and scope of this project by offering three main activities: home-schooling, vocational training, and health education.
Through home-based schooling, girls will attend literacy and numeracy classes and join community study groups where they can learn together and receive support from tutors during and after each session. HealthProm will provide educational materials and access to libraries which we previously refurbished during a past project. Vocational training will teach girls skills like sewing, cooking, and crafts, helping girls gain independence. Health workshops will cover hygiene, nutrition, and first aid, supporting their physical well-being. Altogether, these activities will offer a well-rounded learning experience, designed for each girl's needs.
The UK project manager has stated: "Thank you to the generous support of the Education Opportunity Foundation. We are excited to begin this important journey - empowering girls through education and skill training, opening doors to opportunity, and building a brighter future for generations to come."
We further plan to engage with local leaders, parents and community members to continuously develop the project alongside them. The project team will collect data throughout the project cycle to evaluate progress, address challenges, and document the stories of those we work with.
We are looking forward to implementing this project and thank the Educational Opportunity Foundation for their support.
