Mina's dream: Shawl Pacha school opening

April 28th, 2008, Surkh Rod, Nangarhar province: Shawl Pacha school opening

School entrance

Playground in front of the school

A HOM and AMI partnership

Preparations for a feast day on the ground in front of the school

"The people of Surkh Rod village have become so dependent on the outcome, security, safety and shared resources of the Shawl Pacha school, that they see it as the key to peace and stability. Years ago, when we initiated the concept, the people and children did not know, feel or see the significance of an educational institute. They did not believe in the social impact it would have on the village and on the entire province and neighboring provinces." (Mina Wali)

Many villagers attend the ceremony

Fernando Nobre speaking to the people

Mina Wali making her speech in such an emotional day to her

The representatives of the female students

A message from the students

"The youth in our institution, for the first time, demanded that women were responsible for cleaning the school, and that no man was present. Now, everything is reversed. They realized that education has no borders and require people - no matter men or women - to teach and guide them." (Mina Wali)

Walking to the entrance of the school

School's entrance

Mina Wali and Ahmad Shaw cutting the ribbon

In the middle, Ahmad Shaw (HOM) and José Luís Nobre (AMI)

Media's coverage in a historic day for the region

Octávio Vieira and Tareq Azim, in the hallway, surrounded by students

In April 2008, tribal leaders from Kunar province (neighboring Nangarhar) visited Shawl Pacha school to be aware of the project: How does it work? Who runs it? What entails building a successful institution for future generations?

The importance of this visit was huge, because Kunar is one of the afghan regions where taliban's influence is stronger, thus less susceptible to some kinds of projects, particularly in education area. After the visit, HOM was assured that Shawl Pacha school is welcomed, in Kunar province, and supported by all political and social sectors.