OUR IMPACT

Introduction:

The “Impact Story” initiative is dedicated to highlighting how our learners have applied their newfound knowledge and skills after participating in our activities. Unlike testimonials or success stories, impact stories provide a more comprehensive view by showcasing both positive and negative aspects, as well as intended and unintended outcomes resulting from our efforts. Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods, these stories serve as an evaluative tool to determine the effectiveness of our training, examining whether it has brought about individual, organizational, or even broader societal change. We highly value your feedback and encourage you to share your Impact Story with us. We invite you to submit your stories through:

Email: info@aptyouth.org

Adeeba Shahrokhi

My name is Adeeba Shahrokhi living in Samangan province of Afghanistan. It is the first time I join APT’s debate program. As an Afghan girl who is deprived of getting an education, I was depressed of being banned to learn and shape my future by myself. I saw myself and my future in darkness and uncertainty…

“My name is Adeeba Shahrokhi living in Samangan province of Afghanistan. It is the first time I join APT’s debate program. As an Afghan girl who is deprived of getting an education, I was depressed of being banned to learn and shape my future by myself. I saw myself and my future in darkness and uncertainty. I do believe that not only me, but also my fellows and other girls in my age have the same situation and feeling.

In such devastating situation, I recently found about the APT organization and, since then, have the pleasure to be part of APT debate programs. Through the APT debate program, I was able to enhance my critical thinking capabilities and get the courage to share my opinion, as well as to oppose any opponent idea. However, there is a far a way to go, but the platform and opportunity that APT provides for the youth over the country is paving a way for my success. Following participating the APT debate program, I encountered immense changes in my personal and academic life. Now I have the courage to share my opinion with my friends and family, and also evaluate my decisions and arguments critically.

To end, I am pleased to be part of APT. I firmly announce that I will remain committed to enhance my ability to strengthen my vision and strive for a prosperous society”.

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Safia Behzad

My name is Safia Behzad and I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. Today, the schools and universities are banned for us and recently the Taliban also prohibited us from working in NGOs. The situation made me truly despondent and hopeless as I lost not only my job but my education as well…

“My name is Safia Behzad and I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. Today, the schools and universities are banned for us and recently the Taliban also prohibited us from working in NGOs. The situation made me truly despondent and hopeless as I lost not only my job but my education as well. I didn’t know what to do any more as all the doors seemed to be closed for me.

However, through one of my friends who attended the Mentorship Program at Afghans for Progressive Thinking, I have learned about the organization’s activities and programs. I applied to both Mentorship and Leadership programs by APT and I have been changed since then.

After seeing my hopes and dreams shatter when the doors of schools and universiites closed on us, I thought there won’t be another opportunity to continue my education. But, through the leadership and mentorship program offered by APT, I saw that there are still hope and opportunities in Afghanistan to learn and dream for a prosperous future.

Furthermore, through the leadership program offered by APT I have learned how to handle stress, relate to one another, experience leadership and also feel more empowered and valued. The current regime in Afghanistan are doing everything in their power to undermine us and take away our basic Human Rights, but educational programs help us stay strong, committed and work collectively toward a better Afghanistan where everyone’s rights are respected.”

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Parinaz Hussaini

First of all, this is Parinaz Hussaini one of participants of APT leadership program 2023. I’m 18 years old, graduated from high school and English language basic course. As a social person I would always like to participate in social programs like leadership in order to learn, share my own ideas…

“First of all, this is Parinaz Hussaini one of participants of APT leadership program 2023. I’m 18 years old, graduated from high school and English language basic course.

As a social person I would always like to participate in social programs like leadership in order to learn, share my own ideas, meet people from different backgrounds from across Afghansitan and stay connected with them; my cousin called me and told me about the programs by APT and then I eagerly got in contact with APT Team to see if there is a chance for me to join the sessions. The best part was being selected in this program and being able to join all of those interesting sessions.

This program really helped me know myself better by providing methods of learning my brand type and prioritizing my values. It absolutely changed my vision, now I can say that my mindset about lots of things has changed positively. Additionally, it created awareness of my own brand and strands: how can I prevent from lots of conflicts, which methods I need to solve the conflict, and a way to cope with situations I may encounter are among some of the useful and intriguing things that I have learned from this program. Now I know the importance of educating youths and children about leadership. As it caused so much changes in my life, I am pretty much sure that it will positively impact the perspectives of other as well. When changes come to everyone, it will cause transformation of a society and awareness of people. Generally, this program helped 13 me boost up my social skills and networking. I got the chance to meet incredible people from different countries and learn from wonderful ideas. Finally, bundle of thanks from APT team for this golden opportunity and special thanks for all of the tutors who helped and facilitated the sessions for us”.

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Ahmad Zaki Mirza

I am Ahmad Zaki Mirza from Balkh province of Afghanistan. I am studying Civil Engineering in Kabul University and I follow my own special zone (Civil Engineering). I am also engaged with poems, historical and political books. Furthermore…

“I am Ahmad Zaki Mirza from Balkh province of Afghanistan. I am studying Civil Engineering in Kabul University and I follow my own special zone (Civil Engineering). I am also engaged with poems, historical and political books. Furthermore, I have collaborated with high school students who have a desire to be successful in Kankor National University Entrance Exam) for a couple of years.

I am thankful to APT for their efforts to support youths who want to follow their ambition in this challenging and uncertain situation. Furthermore, it is my pleasure to be a member of Kabul University Debate Club (KUDC). Even though I joined recently with KUDC, so far I have learned variety of things that have directly impacted my career and goals. I learned how to debate, form arguments, defend my views and points and work as a team. Moreover, my knowledge about contemporary issues and challenges has also been expanded since I have joined the programs offered by APT. As well I meet new elite and intelligent youth and strengthened my network with them. I am very happy for having a capable instructor and trainer during the training sessions and I truly appreciate their efforts in facilitating the debate sessions and trainings.

To conclude, I thank the APT team for their capacity-building programs, which help everyone to be a step closer to their goals and have an optimistic vision of the future”

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Husna Jalil

My name is Husna Jalil and I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. I have worked as a volunteer in different provinces to provide aid and food for women in rural areas. I am a writer and also a reader. I love writing stories and reading novels and historical books…

“My name is Husna Jalil and I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. I have worked as a volunteer in different provinces to provide aid and food for women in rural areas. I am a writer and also a reader. I love writing stories and reading novels and historical books. It has been more than a year since Kabul fell to the hands of the Taliban and ever since I have not seen a day without worry and stress. The schools and universities were banned for us and we are not allowed to practice our basic rights. All these restrictions and right-violating policies has driven us young women to a state of helplessness.

We are not allowed to acquire knowledge anywhere in Afghanistan and our future in Kabul is very dark. However, in the past couple of months I have learned about Afghans for Progressive Thinking and its wonderful programs. I applied to the mentorship program by APT and it has brought many positive changes to my life. After the ban on education, I thought that life was finished for me, however, the APT programs encouraged me to raise my voice against the injustice young women are facing in Afghanistan and be a future leader in my country.

In a place where education is banned, finding alternative ways to learn is a dream of everyone. Through the mentorship program, I learned about critical thinking and conflict analysis, which I believe are the two most important subjects for all young women in Afghanistan. The current conflict and instability in Afghanistan requires all its youth to be familiar with the concept of conflict analysis and resolution.

Furthermore, in the mentorship program, we also learned how to conduct research and fortunately, we got the chance to divide into groups and write a research paper with other young women from across Afghanistan. Through this opportunity, I was connected with other youth in other provinces and established a network with them. 12 Through this network, we used every tool at hand to raise our voices collectively and share our views with a wider audience about our demands and the future of Afghanistan. We have also decided to expand our network and work toward a common goal in the near future.”

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Nilab Ibrahimy

This is Nilab Ibrahimy. I am studying engineering at Kabul polytechnic University. I am also a program manager and workshop manager at EAW (Empowering Afghan Women). I like reading novels in my free time and I love communication…

“This is Nilab Ibrahimy. I am studying engineering at Kabul polytechnic University. I am also a program manager and workshop manager at EAW (Empowering Afghan Women). I like reading novels in my free time and I love communication. I came to know about the Leadership Development Course of APT in 2022 through social media. I was very attached to attending it because leadership can benefit every aspect of your life, giving you greater confidence, strengthening your communication and negotiation skills, and developing character. The values you learn as a leader can improve your personal life and relationships and set you on the fast track to success in your career and life.

During the course, I learned various points about leadership; its fundamentals, and types. In addition, I made some nice friends from different backgrounds and leadership potential, and was able to learn from talented and international instructors. Since they were from different countries such as Germany and Afghanistan, we came to learn about leadership from different perspectives, and how they view Afghan people. We learned about honor, how important trust is, and how to influence people more. Overall, our leadership course was just fantastic. To lead is to influence. It can be at home, at the university, or with the whole community. Since I am a program manager, I need to know a lot about it. This course helped me to lead the programs and manage them all very well. After the program, I decided to change my leadership style so that I make the members more interested. I realized I was more like a position leader; I came to know that being a people leader will be more efficient. So, I decided to interact more with the members, have some suggestions individually and provide them with more practical materials. As a result, the program has provided me with tools that could be implemented into my life and my workplace in the future that will encourage my students, college, friends, and my family to think about situations differently. I hope to be able to pass on newly found knowledge of negotiation and assist other people in relocating their dreams.”

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