Arzo's Resilience
By Adela Talayee
On August 15, 2021, we were stressed about passing the mid-term exams when the Taliban were gaining control of the entire Afghanistan. We were all unaware of this until the school manager gathered everyone for a speech. He said, "I am going to tell you something, but try not to freak out or show immediate reactions. So, the Taliban have just entered Kabul. We all need to leave school right now, and the school will be closed until further notice." I left school with the fear of not being able to attend it anymore. The city's situation was chaotic, and everyone seemed to be worried and in a hurry. After I arrived home, we heard some gunfire sounds. Still, it was very hard for me to believe the political change.
My mother told me that in the past, they did not let girls go to school, and women were not allowed to work. It was very hard for me to imagine getting accustomed to not having the right to be educated anymore. I even thought that the Taliban may have changed after all these years, so I decided to go to an English course that afternoon as usual. Holding my English books in hand, I left home. The city wasn't as crowded and happy as it was before, but I kept walking. However, when I saw a big lock on my course's door, my heart broke, and I felt an unknown feeling that was hard to describe. While going back home, I paid more attention to the city. My fear increased when I noticed that there was no girl walking on the streets but me. I became sad and disappointed like many other Afghan girls with big wishes for their futures. For some days, I was in a state of despair. I spent my time feeling sorry about all my achievements and my future.
But later, I told myself, "Okay, Arezo! There's no reason to be sad because now it's time to think of new methods to continue learning and not give up." Although I was not able to go to school, I used this time as an opportunity to learn things differently and engage in more extracurricular activities. I started self-studying my science subjects and joined online courses to gain more knowledge. Of all the programs I participated in, the Girls Virtual Educational Camp launched by the Girls Toward Leadership Organization had a positive impact on me. It reminded me that women are strong, and no one can stop them from building their future. In this program, I got to know people from around the globe who were trying to educate and motivate Afghan girls not to give up. This program opened my way to join a book club designed specifically for girls. We were secretly gathering in a rural part of Kabul to discuss the book we had read within two weeks.
This program was more than just reading books. In fact, I had the chance to share my ideas with others and learn how to be an active member of a team. I was motivated by seeing how other girls, too, actively participated. Later, this program gave me the idea to organize a book club for eight children. I provided them with storybooks, and after they read the books, we gathered twice a week to talk about the story of the books. My main purpose was to take the first step in spreading the reading culture in my society. Indeed, I wanted to be the change I wish to see in my society. Besides this, I got the chance to teach voluntarily in a public school since they were facing a shortage of teachers. I love empowering people around me. The activities that I have done had a positive impact on my personal growth and self-understanding.
Besides these activities, I was also working on gaining and developing skills in various areas. For instance, I was attending English language and drawing courses. I want to improve my English language fluency and pass the Duolingo test with a high score so I can apply for high school scholarships and continue my education abroad. I have so many goals for my future.
I want to continue my education abroad, especially in a diverse community where I can study and live with people of different backgrounds and ideas. In addition, I want to become an artist, communicate with other artists worldwide, and one day establish my own art gallery. Unfortunately, right now, the Current Government have blocked my way to achieve these goals by prohibiting us from going to school. Therefore, it is very important for me to get a scholarship and try hard to achieve my goals. I love Afghanistan as my home country, but as a girl, I do not see any hope to have the opportunity to study here. I have been deprived of education for two years, and I don't want this to continue any longer.
