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Afghanistan

Mobile Schools Provide Hope For Afghan Children -- Especially For Girls

Afghan volunteers have organized a mobile educational program to tour remote areas, giving children hope after the Taliban closed schools for girls in March. An Afghan NGO, Pen Path, gives lessons and library books to children who might otherwise be starved of any opportunity to learn.

Afghan girls wait for the start of an educational event organized by Pen Path in Kandahar Province on May 17. This was the first time the NGO sent its mobile school and library to the area.
1 Afghan girls wait for the start of an educational event organized by Pen Path in Kandahar Province on May 17. This was the first time the NGO sent its mobile school and library to the area.
Afghan boys walk to the event. Pen Path was created by two brothers, Matiullah and Attaullah Wesa, in 2009, with the aim of combating illiteracy in Afghanistan.
2 Afghan boys walk to the event. Pen Path was created by two brothers, Matiullah and Attaullah Wesa, in 2009, with the aim of combating illiteracy in Afghanistan.
Children watch an educational video -- their first experience of a mobile lesson. 
3 Children watch an educational video -- their first experience of a mobile lesson. 
Children listen to an instructor.
4 Children listen to an instructor.
A volunteer distributes books to children. The mobile library includes books on history and geography as well as children's fiction in Pashto and Dari.
5 A volunteer distributes books to children. The mobile library includes books on history and geography as well as children's fiction in Pashto and Dari.
Educating the community on the importance of children's education is part of Pen Path's initiative. According to Human Rights Watch, only 37 percent of Afghanistan's teenage girls can read and write, compared to 66 percent of boys.
6 Educating the community on the importance of children's education is part of Pen Path's initiative. According to Human Rights Watch, only 37 percent of Afghanistan's teenage girls can read and write, compared to 66 percent of boys.
Children raise their hands to answer a question. Pen Path says lessons like these have been held across the country. They continue their work despite the Taliban seizing power.
7 Children raise their hands to answer a question. Pen Path says lessons like these have been held across the country. They continue their work despite the Taliban seizing power.

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