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SHAMS Education

In 2008 when SIFE Tilburg started SHAMS, the children in Taghai Khoja were being given classes in deplorable conditions. Tents that were set up by the United Nations offered minimal shelter and teaching materials were inadequate.
After much lobbying effort was made together with the local villagers, the local Afghan government has pushed forward plans to construct a school building in Taghai Khoja. Right now the physical building is already there, and together with Stichting Toekomst Afghanistan, sanitary facilities, a medical post as well as a library will be added.
Children in school tent in Taghai-Khoja in 2009 New school building under construction in 2010
Besides the construction of the physical building, Project Leader of SHAMS, Yama Saraj traveled to other schools in the region and donated school material to the children, as well as to talk to the heads of the schools to assess the problem of education in the region.
School attendance is low because parents often think that their children do not learn anything useful in school. One parent said: “My child has been in school for 5 years and still do not know how to write his own name”.
English text books ready to be shared out Afghan girls happy with their school supplies

Back in Taghai Khoja, boxing classes as well as football teams were started to give the children recreational activities besides school and farming for the family.

Young football team of the village Boxing club all smiles for the camera
FUTURE PLANS
  • After having assessed the situation, we will put priority on training the teachers to be more qualified. We will select the top student of the senior class who do not have the means to further their education, and give them a scholarship to study in the city. They will have to return to their village and give lessons to the younger generations.
  • There is a shortage of books and school materials, we will tackle this structural problem.
  • Approximately 90 bicycles will be donated to the children, so that they can travel to school much faster.
  • Organize more sport activities and build a sports auditorium.
  • Build two extra classrooms in a nearby village
  • Build a library