Grand Opening Ribbon Ceremony of our 1st school

HEMEfund worldwide’s first Vocational Class started with 5 students in Jalalabad City. We decided to start with only five students in the first class, as a study to ensure the approach was feasible. Their names were Bosgullonah, Akhtrah, Zaywarah, Eslambibi, and Nafesah. The students were 4 war-widows and 1 orphan.  Bosgullonah, being the oldest in the class, had hard time following the literacy class, but all graduated successfully at the end.

For the first group of students Literacy was a big success. Knowing that 76% of the country is illiterate, these women now belong to 24% of the elite class in Afghanistan. Hygiene was a success as well, because they now had their first exposure to basic medical education to learn how to protect themselves from germs around them. Undoubtedly, sewing was a big deal to them, not only because they earned brand new sewing machines at the end, but they now acquired a skill they can use to generate income for their families.

They had to be properly taught to cut fabrics with scissors. Then they practiced on paper patterns. Then, they slowly progressed to operating sewing machines. They first made mini samples of pants and tops for boys, then dresses for girls, then they moved on to men’s and women’s wear. For graduation, they successfully sewed beautiful dresses to show off their skills. On December 6, we had our first graduation.

On January 8, 2011 we started our second class. The students’ names were Bibi Hajerah, Zaytun, Kamilah, Freshtah, and Nahidah. We

Sewing Class

purposely selected younger widows and orphans this time. The course curriculum was exactly the same as before. Unfortunately, there were some difficulties on that class. We received news from our Director of Operations in Afghanistan, Dr. Rafi, who said there was an attack from the Taliban in Shiekhmesri, the town where the school was located. He mentioned that the Taliban appeared and cut the head off of an Afghan soldier right in the middle of the town. The villagers were threatened. Our students and teachers felt no longer safe to have the school open in the area.

Dr. Rafi sought out a new location in one of the major cities and within the next 2-4 days, through an emergency board meeting, the school was relocated. Our school sign was down for safety purposes until the school relocated. Upon relocating, most of the students were able to move with the school and continue their studies as well as the teachers. At the new location the number of students was increased from five to eight. The second class ultimately graduated on March 6, 2011 with the same success as the first.

The third class started with ten students on March 7, 2011. We decided to increase the number of students, as there was an increased need for our services at the new school location. The expected graduation date is May 7, 2011. We hope to add 9 more satellite schools in Jalalabad city by the end of 2011.

3rd Class -Students are excited to learn Sewing