Our law students who graduated last December are Latifa (the only female), Obaidullah, Hewad, and Farshid. The sheer magnitude of this accomplishment for a woman in Afghanistan compels us to first mention Latifa. She is a go-getter from a family of 12. Latifa was collecting firewood on the streets of Kabul at age 11 when our staff found her in 2009. Latifa’s humble beginnings didn’t prevent her from dreaming of becoming a doctor back then. That her father allowed her to stop collecting wood to focus on school was Latifa’s first big break. The second was being accepted into our Education Sponsorship Program enabling Latifa and her family to receive a monthly stipend. Latifa was a top student throughout grade school and first in her class in college. Her letters to her sponsor express the exuberance of someone excited about her future; she plans to enter international relations and become an ambassador.  

That Hewad graduated high school in the top 10% of his high school class and then went on to earn his law degree is nothing short of extraordinary. His family’s circumstances were dire before he was sponsored. Hewad’s father left for Iran many years prior to sponsorship to find work, and the family never heard from him again. His mother cleans houses to support this family of six. Her earnings weren't enough to cover Hewad’s school expenses. He paid his school expenses by selling chewing gum on the streets. One letter from Hewad states that all his siblings were students which is a testament to his mother’s understanding that education is key to escaping poverty. Though he wasn’t supposed to, he worked at a local market and hauled goods while going to school simply because the family needed the money. Hewad still found time to excel in school, play cricket, read for enjoyment and graduate with his law degree at 22. One can barely imagine the abounding pride his mother must have for her son and his love for his mother. 

In Obaidullah’s file, there are two notable things about this impressive young man. One is his commitment to his country expressed so poignantly in a letter, “I hope to finish my school and to one day be of service to my country, Afghanistan. I hope that someday there will be no sound of bombs and killing of innocent people in my country.” This sentiment is present in every single letter from Obaidullah. The other notable detail in this young man’s file is that he begins to write letters in English in the 12th grade. Only about 10% of our sponsored students write letters in English. Being able to speak and write English will give Obaidullah a huge leg up as he goes forward. 

And lastly is Farshid, who was sponsored by Nabi. This young man polished shoes on the streets because he also lacked a father. His mother had nine children to support. Farshid likely assumed his future looked like that of his two older brothers who pulled carts in the marketplace. Budd and Nabi met Fashid on one of their trips to Afghanistan. They privately shared their doubts about this boy yet Nabi continued his sponsorship. If there is one thing we've learned from this program it's that we should never give up on a child. We never know what they will become.

Farshid wrote, “I thank all TIE employees who held the hand of a small boy who didn’t know what to do with his life. I thank (my sponsor) who held my hand and guided me towards education so that I can have a bright future. I want to become a good diplomat in the future so I can help my people faithfully.” In a photo at age 11 Farshid’s gaze looks uncertain; in another photo as a young man he gazes at the viewer confidently and self-assured. In the third he looks fully prepared for whatever challenges come his way. Rest assured he and all these children will help children now forced to work on the streets.

Thanks for taking the time to read about the accomplishments of these seven new university graduates, all of whom would have had starkly different futures without an education. And thank you for making all of our projects, programs and sponsorships possible.

Suzanne Rogge

Director, Education Sponsorship Program

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