“Maryam’s” Essay: Resilient Student

Hello Everyone,

I am one of the students in ASDD’s English course. I was a student in Psychology, in the Planning and Policy department at my University. I had only studied for one year, and we weren’t permitted after that. As we know, we are going through hard times. In this situation we usually faced problems, and this was extremely difficult and painful.

 Actually every moment is hard and dangerous for Afghanistani Girls after coming from the Taliban, and I want to share my worst memory during these changes. When I was at the governmental girls dormitory, we were all from different tribes and nations. At the dormitory there were some regulations and limitations for girls. For example, we had to wear black and long dresses, black veil, black socks and a mask. We had different beliefs and customs, but we respect each other. Our manager was a Pashton lady, and she wasn’t very kind with certain girls from different tribes. In Muharam month, we all wanted to mourn in Ashora, but our manager didn’t allow us, and it was so sorrowful. Even if she punished those girls who were singing monody. She didn’t accept our religion, and she said you are infidel. She fired the female disciplinary team. After some time, we wanted to demonstrate for the rights of Afghanistani girls. Night before the demonstration, we all became food poisoned and the condition of some girls was very bad and severe. They became hospitalized, as you might have heard from the news. We wanted to search about that, but they neglected us. 

That was an unpleasant event and this is the girls’ condition in Afghanistan. I am the one who is not allowed to go school, university, or course for learning. I am not allowed to be self-sufficient. I am not allowed to chase my dreams. I am not allowed to talk and express my thoughts, but I have never despaired and go ahead. I hope Afghanistan will become an independent and advanced country. So that we don’t regret what we don’t have anymore. Let’s stop being oppressed and humiliated for being a girl. I want to become a successful motivational English speaker in the future. I want to help people especially girls because girls experience a lot of problems. 

At the end, I wholeheartedly extend my warm gratitude and thanks to helpful donors and supporters who support us in this catastrophic situation. 

Thank you for all the support, 

‘Maryam’

Letter received from our students participating in our Mentorship program. Name and text altered for protection of our students and for grammatical changes.