People think that children can get an education easily, but they don’t understand how hard it can be in my country to study. We feel unsafe and afraid studying, even me. Just ask kids under age nine how they feel about education.
In my seventh grade in Qalay Bakhtiyar High School, when I was eleven, a day before Teachers’ Day, students were cleaning their classrooms and decorating them for the next day.
When I finished my work, a friend and I walked to the second floor to my sister’s class. Taking my last step to the second floor I heard a blast! I stopped right there. I couldn’t do anything. I was just thinking, “I will die now.”
My friend Fariha held my hand, and as fast as we could we both ran downstairs. Students were shouting, and many girls fainted. People were passing by them, and our teachers were hitting girls and saying that it was just a gas explosion.
Actually it was a bomb explosion near Darulaman palace. Lots of people died in this bomb suicide.
***
Another time when I was getting out of English class on a snowy winter day, there was an explosion. All the windows in the building shattered, and students were frightened. Our teachers thought that it was the Taliban coming to kill us.
As they shouted at the guard to close the door. I waited inside near the door for my sister. I saw the explosion; the man who exploded himself changed to pieces.
I saw a piece of his body full of blood, and when I focused on it in the dust, I could tell it was an ear, which shocked me. After that I got out of the center.
I hate waiting for my sister, but it kept me from death. I thank God for saving me in that shocking explosion, but you never know—what if I had been there?
That explosion in front of an English class could have taken many lives of innocent students diligently working to get an education. No students were injured, but one woman and a child died. I learned later that a man had exploded himself under a bus from the government.
By Alia, age 14
Photo by Phil Borges; graphics by Blatman Design
Dearest Alia,
You have told a painful, unbearably sad story, that has to be told, over and over.
Congratulations on your essay. It was my pleasure to work with you on it, and I eagerly await more from you!
Liz
Dearest Alia: It hurts my heart–and I know it must hurt the heart of every reader–to know that you, at age 9, had to even think “I am going to die now.” I am so grateful that you are safe. And then, to have to see another explosion, to see a man blown apart by his own doing…these are images I know will always be with you. I hope they do not haunt you terribly. But I know that this is a hard wish to have fulfilled. You are a strong writer and storyteller, Alia. We are so lucky and happy to be able to read your story. Please keep writing. Please keep up the excellent work.
All best,
Stacy
And I’d like to say a special thank you to your sister–thank goodness you had to wait!
Stacy
Never stop writing, Alia. Your courage comes to our doorstep and we are reminded to do our part for human rights. There is no age that is a good age to witness what you have. Stay brave, my dear Alia.
I was so touched by this essay, by the persistence you have in getting an education. The details are painful to read, but necessary.
Alia, my heart goes out to you. You are so young to have to carry such concerns and fears. Courage comes from within and I encourage you to continue with learning all you can and expressing yourself with words that come from your heart.. Blessings to you young lady..
Thank you for writing this difficult and heartbreaking essay about what it is like for you to attend school in Afghanistan. You are brave to share your experiences — and brave to continue your schooling under such threats. I hope you’ll continue to write. You are a strong voice for all the young women who go to school there. Prayers and best wishes, Nancy
Thank you so much for sharing your story! It has reminded me that it is important to keep working for every childs right to education, and every humans right to live in peace. Your story brought tears into my eyes and I will now tell all my friends about it.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I will not think about my students and my classroom in the same way ever again, and I will continue to work for peace for you and for all children. Thank you for your bravery. Please keep writing and sharing with us!
Dear Alia,
What a difficult experience, I am so happy you made it here to tell about it. I am happy to know you have found a group of people to work with and to share your writing with. Thank you for sharing your thought here, I will think about them for a long time to come,
miah
Alia,
Thanks for writing this sad story. It’s terrible how some people in your country don’t believe in education for you. Study hard and stay strong 🙂
Alia,
It’s so sad that you had to suffer through seing that at such a young age! I know most kids at age 9 have only seen things that terrible on TV or something, but having to see people kill themselves in suicide bombings, especially with the intent of killing young children, is beyond horrible. Stay strong!
Dear Alia,
Thank you for telling us your story. Sharing your experiences with others will help the world become a better place for girls to get a good education.
Keep on writing and stay strong!
It must have been very hard for you to write about your experiences. You were so brave to wait for your sister and not run away. Keep studying hard, you deserve to get an education.
Dear Alia,
Many times I have heard similar stories of different types of crisis, but this is the first time I have heard it from someone so young that has had firsthand experience.
Never give up your education and hopefully, one day, you will be able to study freely and gain the rights you deserve.
Stay strong!
Alia,
I hope that writing about this horrifying experience has helped you to heal and calm your fears. You are a very brave young woman for having the courage to write about this experience.
Thanks you.