Afghan mum cradling baby during university exam goes viral
The Hindu, 26, 2018
“My life
goal was to get admitted into university,” said Ms. Ahmadi, who finished high
school after she got married at the age of 18.
goal was to get admitted into university,” said Ms. Ahmadi, who finished high
school after she got married at the age of 18.
 |
| This photo obtained from the Facebook account of Afghan professor Yahya Erfan and taken on March 16, 2018 shows Afghan student Jahantab Ahmadi (bottom R), 25, sitting on the ground as her baby lays on her lap as she takes an entrance exam for Nasir Khusraw private university, in the central city of Nili, the provincial capital of Daykundi province. Photo Credit: AFP |
Afghan
farmer Jahantab Ahmadi sits on the ground, her baby resting in her lap, as she
focuses on the university entrance exam she hopes will help her fulfil her
dreams.
farmer Jahantab Ahmadi sits on the ground, her baby resting in her lap, as she
focuses on the university entrance exam she hopes will help her fulfil her
dreams.
The
powerful photo, taken by a professor at Nasir Khusraw private university in
central Afghanistan, has
gone viral after striking a chord in a country where most women are illiterate
and treated as second-class citizens.
powerful photo, taken by a professor at Nasir Khusraw private university in
central Afghanistan, has
gone viral after striking a chord in a country where most women are illiterate
and treated as second-class citizens.
The
picture has sparked an outpouring of admiration and offers of financial help
for the 25-year-old mother of three.
picture has sparked an outpouring of admiration and offers of financial help
for the 25-year-old mother of three.
“I don’t
want to be deprived of my studies,” Ms. Ahmadi, who comes from a remote farming
village in Daikundi province where wheat, corn and potatoes provide a meagre
income, told AFP in Kabul.
want to be deprived of my studies,” Ms. Ahmadi, who comes from a remote farming
village in Daikundi province where wheat, corn and potatoes provide a meagre
income, told AFP in Kabul.
“I want
to work outside the house. I want to become a doctor, someone who serves women
in my community or society.”
to work outside the house. I want to become a doctor, someone who serves women
in my community or society.”
Ms.
Ahmadi passed the exam after undertaking an arduous journey to reach the
provincial capital Nili — two hours on foot through mountains and nine hours in
public transport on a bumpy road.
Ahmadi passed the exam after undertaking an arduous journey to reach the
provincial capital Nili — two hours on foot through mountains and nine hours in
public transport on a bumpy road.
An online
GoFundMe campaign launched by the Afghan Youth Association to help pay for her
university fees has so far raised more than $14,000 — a fortune in a country
where about 39 % of the population lives in poverty.
GoFundMe campaign launched by the Afghan Youth Association to help pay for her
university fees has so far raised more than $14,000 — a fortune in a country
where about 39 % of the population lives in poverty.
Ms.
Ahmadi appears a little bemused by the attention triggered by the photo of her
cradling baby Khizran during the exam last month, which she only found out
about later.
Ahmadi appears a little bemused by the attention triggered by the photo of her
cradling baby Khizran during the exam last month, which she only found out
about later.
“My
friends in the village told me ‘you have been photographed’ I said ‘how did I
not know that I was being photographed and they said ‘you were concentrating on
the paper,” she said, smiling shyly.
friends in the village told me ‘you have been photographed’ I said ‘how did I
not know that I was being photographed and they said ‘you were concentrating on
the paper,” she said, smiling shyly.
At the
beginning of the test, which was held outdoors, Ms. Ahmadi sat at a desk with
Khizran in her lap.
beginning of the test, which was held outdoors, Ms. Ahmadi sat at a desk with
Khizran in her lap.
But the
infant had an ear ache and would not stop crying. To keep her quiet and not
disturb others, Ms. Ahmadi sat on the ground in the shade of another person —
and kept writing.
infant had an ear ache and would not stop crying. To keep her quiet and not
disturb others, Ms. Ahmadi sat on the ground in the shade of another person —
and kept writing.
“I had to
concentrate on the baby and do the paper,” she said.
concentrate on the baby and do the paper,” she said.
Ms.
Ahmadi’s story has resonated with social media users across the country, who
have praised her determination to be educated.
Ahmadi’s story has resonated with social media users across the country, who
have praised her determination to be educated.
“You are
a true world champion, you have shown that a Hazara girl can do anything in any
conditions or circumstances,” Nazar Hussein Akbari wrote on Facebook, referring
to her ethnicity.
a true world champion, you have shown that a Hazara girl can do anything in any
conditions or circumstances,” Nazar Hussein Akbari wrote on Facebook, referring
to her ethnicity.
Another
user posted: “I hope this hard-working woman reaches her goals.”
user posted: “I hope this hard-working woman reaches her goals.”
Afghan
women’s rights activist Zahra Yagana was also impressed. She contacted Ms.
Ahmadi and convinced her to come to Kabul to study.
women’s rights activist Zahra Yagana was also impressed. She contacted Ms.
Ahmadi and convinced her to come to Kabul to study.
The
family is staying with Yagana while she helps Ms. Ahmadi get into a private
university in the Afghan capital.
family is staying with Yagana while she helps Ms. Ahmadi get into a private
university in the Afghan capital.
“If she
had to study in Daikundi it would be difficult for her,” Yagana told AFP at her
apartment.
had to study in Daikundi it would be difficult for her,” Yagana told AFP at her
apartment.
“The
standard of education is low. There is no student hostel in Daikundi and she
would have to live in a rented house.
standard of education is low. There is no student hostel in Daikundi and she
would have to live in a rented house.
“We will
give her a house [in Kabul]. There are many friends who have promised to help
her. We are trying to find a job for her husband and also raise money for her
children to go to school.”
give her a house [in Kabul]. There are many friends who have promised to help
her. We are trying to find a job for her husband and also raise money for her
children to go to school.”
For Ms.
Ahmadi, this would be the fulfilment of her dreams.
Ahmadi, this would be the fulfilment of her dreams.
“My life
goal was to get admitted into university,” said Ms. Ahmadi, who finished high
school after she got married at the age of 18.
goal was to get admitted into university,” said Ms. Ahmadi, who finished high
school after she got married at the age of 18.
“But due
to our poor economic situation and poverty I could not afford to study for
three or four years.”
to our poor economic situation and poverty I could not afford to study for
three or four years.”
Afghanistan’s
general literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world — just 36%, according
to official figures. It is much lower for women.
general literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world — just 36%, according
to official figures. It is much lower for women.
