“I am making the most of my current captivity”

Negina

Student-turned-teacher, Bamyan

“I am 15 years old. Unfortunately, after the Taliban came to power, I could not continue my education, not only in regular school, but also in private courses. If the conditions were like they were before, I would be in 11th grade now, preparing for the university entrance exam.

I went through a period of severe depression, but with the help of my family, I managed to regain my spirit and start reading some books again. So far, I’ve been able to study 20 educational books for the first time and keep revisiting them. At the same time, I’m trying to learn tailoring from my older sister. I managed to buy a whiteboard after sewing five different types of clothes.

And for the past six months, I’ve been teaching 12 neighbourhood children who, due to poverty or other reasons, couldn’t go to school. We hold daily one-hour classes in one of the rooms in our house. I’ve been teaching them subjects like math and Dari, and fortunately, they can now read and write.

Despite my concerns about my own future, when I see my students, who are able to learn and have a desire for education with my help, it rejuvenates me. I tell myself that although they’ve deprived me of my education, I have taught 12 other individuals, and this kind of fight against ignorance and illiteracy will be victorious, with time.

Sometimes, my worries weigh me down, but I raise my head high and promise myself that I will achieve my dreams. I would love to have a career as a media presenter or television host, [so I have been] expanding my vocabulary and knowledge through reading.

I am making the most of my current captivity. In these days of deprivation, I’ve come to realize two vital values: the struggle for freedom, though challenging, is rewarding, and every person should taste it. And secondly, that there is no sacrifice more pleasant than sacrificing for freedom.

As my father is a farmer and my mother is a housewife, my father cannot meet the household expenses as he used to, so I am striving to save some money [by sewing clothing] so I can get a private tutor to learn English. My ultimate goal is to obtain a scholarship and continue on to higher education at a reputable university abroad.

We are girls who have lived with human rights and freedom, and we are still fighting for what rightfully belongs to us, which is freedom and equality. The future generations will not be victims of this turmoil. Today, all I can do is to remain hopeful, continue studying and coordinate my all efforts to bring more people onto this beautiful caravan.”

“While girls in other countries go to school every day without any obstacles, for me, this has become nothing more than a dream”

A veiled and masked girl sits at a sewing machine on a red carpet in a dimly lit room.