I have a dream that in twenty years my whole family will be educated. They will all be together and live in peace. But I will not just sit by and wait if some of my family is afraid to educate their daughters. I will talk to them and tell them that with educated daughters we can build a family that no one can destroy, but if we don’t help each other get an education, then tomorrow our enemies will come. Our enemies will destroy us by telling us education is bad for girls or that girls who go to school will behave badly and not listen to their mothers and fathers.
I have a dream for Afghanistan that in twenty years there will be no discrimination between the rich and poor or between girls and boys. Girls from other countries will want to come and study in our country. Girls will have the right to live their dreams. This is really important because our country cannot only be built by boys. It must be built by girls too.
I will not sit and wait for this to happen. I will make myself into a leader. I will use my voice and tell people that by discriminating nothing good will come to our country. But by treating everyone equally, our country will improve and everyone will be joyful.
I have a dream that in twenty years I will be an oncologist or a lawyer. I will do this by improving myself, and by studying. I will be brave and not afraid to be an educated woman.
By Shahida, age 13
Dear Shahida. I love your dreams! Thank you for stating them in such a powerful way. You are an inspiration. I especially like that you started with a dream for your family and then for your country. Your ideas are so clear and well-stated. Working together we will achieve them! Continue to be so brave! elise
Dear Shahida: You are already making yourself into a leader. Your words are moving and inspirational. They make a reader want to act, want to stand up and help. Please keep up the excellent work. Please keep dreaming your beautiful dreams! Stacy
Dear Shahida,
You are brave!
You are the proud of the women!
You make our dreams come true!
You are a leader!
You are my leader!
All the best,
Warmly,
Graziela Gilioli
(sociologist, writer, speaker, photographer,mother of two)
Shahida- I love your vision and dreams. Keep pursuing your dreams every day, even when it is hard! You will do amazing things 🙂
Dear Shahida, A very moving essay. You used the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. very effectively. Use your voice for the greater good. Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword. Well, done. It was a privilege to read it.
Hi Shahida,
I enjoyed your piece very much. I like that you understand that many people need to come together against the tyrants causing this misery among your people for there to be peace or change. I believe in your dreams. Anything is possible, and with your determination, I can picture you achieving great accomplishments. I admire your leadership and bravery. I am sure many people wish they had your courage, and sometimes all you need to do is be brave to show others that they can be brave too. Keep writing. You have a good voice in your writing and are impacting many more people than you think. A word I like to keep on my mind is utilitarianism. It means to do the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. What you are trying to do displays utilitarianism. I am proud of people like you.
Molly
Always follow your dreams. We stand with you.
I’m inspired about how you want to become a leader. I feel that whatever you put your mind to you will achieve. You will make a difference. If you feel strongly about educating the girls of your country take a stand. Help your family educate the girls/ women in your family also. Life in Afghanistan sounds hard but I believe that you are a strong girl and you will get through it. How has the war affected your family? How have you been coping with the war in your country? I enjoyed reading your story. Thank you for sharing this inspiring piece.
Hi Shahida,
We enjoyed reading your story. We admire your leadership and courageousness.
“Stand up for what you believe in even if it means standing alone… “― C.M.
Thanks for your inspiring story.