Community-Based Education: Lighting a Brighter Future for Afghan Children

Yet, a beacon of hope started glowing within our 150 Community-Based Education Classes (CBE) which support 5,250 children. Established in partnership with local partner SADA and with funds from the European Union, these classes give out-of-school children a safe space to learn, grow, and dream.

Girls represent more than 70% of the supported children, and even girls over 12 years old are attending classes within the Accelerated Learning Programme.

Humaira’s Dream

Humaira (21) teaches a CBE class in central Afghanistan, where she lives with her family of nine. “Education shapes who we are and how we see the world. Before, I thought our village was the centre of everything. But through learning, I realised it’s just a speck on the beautiful face of the world,” says Humaira.

Humaira once dreamed of becoming a doctor. But after finishing school, she was banned from taking university entrance exams because of the ban on girls’ education. “Even so, I haven’t lost hope. I want my students to have the future I couldn’t. They’re just children—they deserve a chance to dream big,” she says.

In her classroom, the walls are filled with drawings and posters. The air is full of laughter. “This classroom is more than a place to study—it’s a safe space filled with joy. Children read, solve puzzles, play football, skip, and learn together,” she explains. “Most of my students are girls who never had this chance before. They talk about becoming doctors and teachers. I do my best to encourage them to believe in themselves.”

Healing and Confidence Through Psychosocial Support

Years of conflict have left deep emotional scars on Afghanistan’s youth. To help children heal and build confidence, we provided psychosocial support kits to all 150 CBE classes. “They use puzzles, emojis, art, football, jump rope, and storytelling to relax, make friends, and enjoy learning,” says Humaira.

Each kit includes storybooks, art supplies, toys, sports balls, and emotion cards—simple tools that help children express themselves and rediscover the joy of childhood.

Clean Water and Safe Schools

Learning thrives where children feel safe and healthy. In many villages, children miss school because of unsafe water or poor hygiene facilities. To change that, we made hygiene a top priority and work to improve access to clean water and sanitation.

“Thanks to PIN, our class now has toilets, handwashing stations, soap, and clean drinking water,” says Humaira. “Students wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating, and after playtime. Each student brings their own cup to stay healthy and prevent illness.”

We also repaired 150 CBE classes and 28 hub schools in Wardak and Samangan provinces, constructed or rehabilitated wells, latrines, and solar-powered water systems. “We focused on what communities said mattered most,” says Zia ul Rahman, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) engineer. “Latrines were the top concern. Now teachers, students, and parents are relieved to have safe learning facilities.”

Community members also joined the work, earning short-term income while helping to make schools safer. “Before, the hand pump was dry, and students had no water. Now, we have clean water, toilets, and a healthier environment. Our children are happy, and so are we,” says Mohammad Salim, a father from Bar Dadal. “This project also gave us a chance to earn income during the construction.”

Support to education in figures:

• 150 community-based education (CBE) classes, reaching 5,250 out-of-school children
• 150 CBE classes received psychosocial support (PSS) and play kits
• Handwashing stations have been installed in all 150 CBEs
• Major rehabilitations are almost completed in 28 hub schools—10 in Maidan Wardak and 18 in Samangan
• 148 New Latrines are being constructed for CBE classes
• 33 new latrines are being constructed in 9 hub-schools, while 38 older ones are Rehabilitated/under rehabilitation in 7 hub-schools
• 4 water wells—two solar-powered and two with hand pumps—have been constructed in hub schools in Wardak province

Looking Ahead

“If children can continue studying up to grades 9 or 12, their future will be brighter and full of possibilities,” says Humaira. “I hope their dreams are protected—and that one day, they can achieve everything they wish for.”

For children like Humaira’s students, these classrooms are safe havens—places where learning, hope, and dignity come together to build a bright future of Afghanistan.