Through Struggles, She Seeks Knowledge

Parwin Ghulami (Anonymous):

Parwin is a 22-year-old girl who lives in Dasht-e Barchi, Kabul. Her heart was always full of aspirations and hope for education, but since the schools for girls were closed, her journey has been pained by obstacles that tested her patience as much as her strength. Despite applying to as many as hundreds of scholarships, she has not yet heard any confirmation. Each rejection could have broken her spirit, but Parwin won't give up.

She does not own a laptop, so she travels from friend to friend, borrowing their computers to complete forms, write essays, and create necessary documents. Each evening, she returns to her modest home, where a dimly lit room becomes her haven. She writes notes in worn, old notebooks and continues to revise her essays again and again, determined to use each word to its maximum potential. The walls of her little room bear silent testimony to her relentless toil, yet in every quiet corner, hope gains strength.

Her family supports her to the best of their abilities, but financial difficulties make every step a struggle. Still, Parwin gets up every morning with the same resolve: education is her birthright, and no social, political, or economic challenge can discourage her from taking it. Someday, she dreams of entering a university, expanding her education further, and improving her community and the world.

Parwin's story is not only that of a single young woman—it is a story of the strength and resolve of thousands of girls in Afghanistan who have been denied their basic right to education. Her actions are acts of resistance, every application letter a statement of her unyielding resolve.

With her perseverance, Parwin reminds the world that school and books are not all about learning—about being free, equal, and capable of designing your own destiny. Her tale inspires all those who hear about her to listen to the voice of the voiceless and join girls in their struggle for regaining education.