Helping Communities Shape Their Own Future Through Education
In May 2008, Barakat started a No Smoking campaign at its schools in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is an Islamic country, where drinking alcohol and gambling is prohibited according to the Islamic faith. However, smoking is a widespread practice among Afghan men.
Melissa London, a sixth grade teacher, initiated the Service Learning Program between the Pierce Elementary School and Barakat.
Along with colleagues Ken Haynes and Chris Smith, she gave her students the award-winning book, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. This is the story of a young Afghan girl who must disguise herself as a boy and earn for her family to survive under the rule of the Taliban.