Organization: Afghan Institute of Learning
Website: http://www.afghaninstituteoflearning.org
Title: Executive Director
Challenge Entries
Sakena Yacoobi uses a non-confrontational, participatory approach to mobilize local leaders and communities in the education, health and empowerment of Afghan girls and women. Her interactive educational methodology and grassroots approach are spreading throughout Afghanistan.
Youth and their teacher at the PSYP high school created lyrics, music and video of an election song. It was performed at election workshops and the video went viral over Afghan radio and TV, inspiring 7 million Afghans to vote. Youth want to continue the project and produce more inspirational music.
Afghan children learn how to express, and action love and forgiveness through colorful, multi media, tactile interactive play. This traveling exhibit, XOXO, was piloted in Pittsburgh and will be brought to mulitple locations in Afghanistan where children have never seen anything like it before.
Since 1995, the Afghan Institute of Learning has empowered Afghan women-first with literacy and education, then teaching computer skills, and now with world-wide access through the internet.
The Afghan Institute of Learning uses a multi-pronged approach of education and healthcare for pregnant Afghan women through health clinics, health education workshops, pre and post-natal care, and training: to nurses, midwives, CHWs-community health workers, and. rural TBAs- traditional birth attendants.