Afghanistan has one of the youngest populations on the planet. The median age is 19, half the population is under 19 years old. It was only 19 years ago that girls were banned from school and only 1% of young men attended a “college.” Today, approximately 1/3 of students are girls. With the population being so young, there is an amazing potential in this upcoming generation.
One Kabul high school senior, Alizada, faced extreme odds of completing high school. She was allowed to attend school, even though her father was a poor coal miner. Two years ago her classroom was attacked by an ISIS suicide bomber, killing 40 of her classmates. She dropped out but eventually reentered school at the urging of her teachers. She eventually earned the top national spot in the college entrance exams.
Students from all over Afghanistan come to learn at universities. Because of the potential we see in Afghan universities, we are increasing our presence at key campuses around the nation. The Institute for Leadership Development (ILD) program is now broadening to the universities and impacting students and faculty. A group of professors, after going through the ILD, decided to form a Leadership Center on their campus. The impact of this influence can then be brought back to regions around the nation; places Westerners cannot access.
If half the population is presently school aged, just imagine the trajectory of Afghanistan if they are shaped with solid values and principles that will bring lasting transformation.
Thank you for being a part of this national transformation. Please consider supporting our work among university students in Afghanistan.