An example of external evaluation and feedback of our project in Paktya was given by one of our visitors, Ms Rena Brownridge, who told:

"Having the opportunity to meet with a large percentage of the graduates of the Afghan Women's Education Center , AWEC, USAID funded program, of Ahmad Aba. I was certainly impressed with the dedication and tenacity that these women have shown. Many have started literacy classes, tailoring businesses, as well as spreading the information that they have attained through the hygiene classes, and many have voted in the elections due in no small part to the civic education they have received.

Many of the women, when I spoke to them, stated that they were grateful to the AWEC program for giving them a new life. They now have dreams some want to become teachers and some doctors. Others want to own their own businesses and their daughters will run them. Some of the direct quotes are:

• “We females had nothing, no hope. Now we have a future.”
  
• “I am thankful, I have opportunities, and my mother didn't. She feels that she is too old to learn to read. She says that her time has passed, but she loves the program because now I can read and write.”
  
• “It is important, the AWEC Program, because now we are aware, we know how women are supposed to be treated. Before we were ignorant. Thanks to Mahera, (AWEC Paktya Women's Project manager) and the program we are aware.”
  
• “I didn't speak before because I felt ignorant, now I can read some and write. I am old, my eyes are bad but I am glad that I learned.”
  
  These are some of the direct quotes from the women graduates of the program. I am really proud of all the women who not only succeeding but excelling, despite tremendous obstacles. Programs like the AWEC program in Paktia are instrumental in the continuing success of the women of Afghanistan ."

April, 2005

Please see our Projects section for more details about the Women's Community Participation, Awareness Raising and Support project in Paktya.