Barakat

Helping Communities Shape Their Own Future Through Education

Would you know this girl if you passed her walking down the street? 

But how could she pursue this dream if she couldn’t read?  Like most others faced with the district’s serious economic problems, Shahzada was blocked from an education that could facilitate the future she dreamed about.  

“At the age of seven, I wanted to go to school, but my family didn’t have enough money to send me,” and she began to resign herself to a life of labor. “As a young  [illiterate] girl, I had no alternatives.  As I remained illiterate, I lost my hopes, dreams and interests in education and acting.”

In her province there are 339 primary and secondary schools, 71% of which are male only. There is heavy pressure on women to stay home and work to help support the family, instead of pursuing an education.

Shahzada realized the importance of literacy for more than just the pursuit of dreams when Shogufa, her 5-year-old sister, fell ill.  Shahzada’s father gave her the name and address of the doctor to whom Shogufa should be taken, but Shahzada was at a loss.  “I couldn’t find the doctor’s office,” Shahzada said, “because I couldn’t read the doctor’s office signs.  After that day, I decided that I must go to school.” 

With newly found determination, Shahzada convinced her father to send her to school. But, she was too old for the strict age limitation imposed by many traditional Afghani government schools.  Fortunately, she heard about Barakat through the village grapevine.  “I decided to go to the Barakat Office in Andkhoy and talk with their staff members. I met the Barakat team and explained my situation,” Shahzada said.  “They opened their arms and accepted me as their student.”

Today, with the help of Barakat, Shahzada’s dreams are coming true. She is enrolled in Sewad Amausi, a lower-level literacy course, in Andkhoy, and is full of hope for the future—pursuing her education and the life she chooses.

And her dream for fame has been realized in a small way—as you and many others worldwide are reading about her today.

On a cold, bright day in October, despite blustery winds and an oncoming blizzard, over a hundred people came together in the Cambridge Commons for a common goal: literacy. Walkers bundled up in scarves and hats gathered in groups, holding steaming cups of coffee and talking about the weather, the Walk, and the reason they were all there.

Barakat's Walk for Literacy is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. This year’s Walk was a great success, raising over 7,600 dollars to support Barakat’s programs in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This year’s Walk for Literacy was a scenic 2.5 or 5-mile walk through Cambridge and along the Charles River. Food was provided by Chipotle, Dunkin Donuts and Bertucci’s, among others. Walkers were provided breakfast and lunch, as well as Barakat t-shirts. Before the Walk began, Barakat board member Peggy Simons introduced two speakers, who addressed the walkers. Pamela Civins, Executive Director of Boston Partners in Education, spoke about the need for families to become involved in their children’s education, both here in the United States and abroad. Journalist Christina Asquith, author of the recent book "Sisters in War: A Story of Love, Family and Survival in the New Iraq," spoke about her experiences meeting women and children in desperate need of stability in the Middle East.

After the introductory remarks, the walkers set off. Their orange t-shirts created a bobbing streak of color under the fall leaves of Cambridge. As they walked, participants chatted and laughed, meeting new people and connecting with old friends. Some walkers had a personal connection to Barakat; several board members were present throughout the day.  Others decided to join in because they had heard about it from a student group or because they believed in the cause. Emma Siewert, Barakat’s Graphic Design Intern, said, “It’s inspiring to watch so many people come together for this cause. I think people had fun and raised money for an important issue all at the same time.”

As walkers returned to the park, they were welcomed with cheers. The walkers settled down to lunch before heading to the henna and face painting stations provided by Barakat. As the event came to a close, a dance battle broke out, reflecting the fun atmosphere of the day. One of the walkers joined in, introducing a new dance move: the “Keeping Warm While Walking.”

Purnima Bangera, Barakat’s Marketing Director, was happy with how the Walk turned out. She said, “After months of planning, it was such a pleasure to see so many
smiling faces have a great time talking to family and friends on that cold fall morning. It was wonderful to see such a turnout, despite the Nor'easter headed our way.”

Thanks to all the volunteers and walkers who made this event possible. We hope that next year’s Walk will be even better.

For young Afghans, the future is uncertain. Nowhere is this more true than within the population of 1.7 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Driven from their country by natural disasters and war, many refugees, particularly those within the Turkmen community, make their living weaving rugs. Other jobs—within Pakistan or Afghanistan—are few and far between, and the jobs that are available require something that the majority of refugees do not have—education.

For Barakat graduate Yousuf Shah, an education made all the difference.

Yousuf was born in Afghanistan, but moved with his family to Attock, Pakistan when he was only 3 years old. When his family heard about Barakat schools from relatives, they immediately decided to support Yousuf’s education. “They wanted me to have what they were deprived of,” said Yousuf.

It was difficult at times. “My family had a hard time when we started our schooling; it was a hard time to spend money because we had such a low income and we couldn’t contribute fully to earning income because we were in school,” said Yousuf. However, his family continued to support him and his siblings and eventually Yousuf graduated from one of Barakat’s schools, moving on to a local school for the 9^th and 10^th grade.  

He went on to find a job in Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, where he now works as a record keeper in a carpet export company. He works hard at his job, waking up at 5 am every morning to get to work on time, sometimes staying past normal closing hours in order to earn overtime. He credits his education as the reason why he was able to find this job. “I’m doing this job because of my education. Without it, I would be a rug weaver in somebody’s factory.”

Yousuf has hope for the future. “I want to make progress in my work. In time, I may be able to find an even better job. “ He is focused on using the skills he learned at Barakat's school to better his own life. He has not forgotten, however, about his home. “I will try my best to promote education in the Afghanistan community,” said Yousuf. After all, who knows better than him what a difference an education can make.