Afghan girls turn cave into school, raise hope for children

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA): Two Afghan girls educate the children of poor families living in caves in a classroom in Bamyan — one of Afghanistan’s poorest provinces.

Ruya Serferaz (18) and her English class friend Besbegum Havari (19) set off every day regardless of adverse weather conditions, and teach Persian, English, mathematics, geography, and painting to children in a cave that serves as their classroom, two hours from their home.

The two friends, with the help of the children, cleaned the cave they have turned into a classroom, decorated the walls with various handcrafts made of painting, calligraphy and paper, making it a glimmer of hope for the future of helpless and poor families.

Boys and girls, from age four to 15, repeat what their teachers teach them in unison and write down what they learn in their notebooks.

When asked about what occupation they will choose, the children say they want to become teachers, doctors or pilots.

Students cannot go to public schools

Located about four hours west of the capital Kabul, Bamyan is among the most deprived areas of Afghanistan. The province, the majority of whose population is Shia Hazaras, is far behind many provinces in terms of literacy rate.

The deepening humanitarian crisis in the country affected poor families the most, as international aid on which the country had been heavily dependent was cut off following the Taliban’s resurgence.

Many families in Bamyan, unable to even meet their basic needs, live in caves in the mountains in the Taibuti region.

Many of those who work in jobs that require physical strength complain of not being able to find a job as before.

According to the UN data, 28.3 million people in Afghanistan, which has a population of around 40 million, are in need of urgent humanitarian aid. Among these people, women and children constitute the most vulnerable group.

Education interrupted by long-drawn turmoil

The high school education of the children’s volunteer teachers, Serferaz and Havari, was interrupted when they were in the 11th grade, when the Taliban came to power in the country and then banned girls from going to school.

Serferaz teaches English, which she learned through her own efforts and speaks fluently.

She said there are around 80 students in total on different class days and that the children receive training for three to four hours every day.

They started teaching here six to seven months ago. Serferaz said: “We come here every day except Friday. We have turned this place into a school. Students study here completely for free. The people here live in very bad economic conditions. They can’t pay and that’s why we don’t ask for any payment.”

Showing the paintings and handicrafts with various figures such as flowers, trees, and rainbows hung on the cave wall, Serferaz said: “These are beautiful paintings. They reflect the wishes of the students.

“These handcrafts they make from paper also show that they have a special interest. I see a very special motivation in them. Despite their young age, they are very talented. They are very interested in painting and calligraphy lessons. They work really hard.”

Noting that they have not received any help so far, Serferaz said: “We are only two people. It would be great if we received any aid. Because students need books, pencils, and notebooks,” said.

‘Future belongs to children’

Havari said their most important motivation is that the children are not deprived of education.

She added that she is looking forward to the day she will continue her education as well.

“There are some of my students who want to become pilots or ones that have different goals. I will be very happy to see them advance,” she said.

“I am happy that my students have goals. Because there is no difference between children living in caves or palaces. The future belongs to children,” she stressed.