Espalo already has made an impact on young lives. These stories were submitted by several of our students.

Hakima

Living in the U.S is undoubtedly very different and better. I am amazed by how much this society is more facilitated and open to education, new ideas or inventions, and very accepting of differences. Life in the U.S. can definitely provide the right circumstances for one to investigate and improve in a special/specific field of interest. Being who I’m inside is not dangerous anymore. That is what like the most about this society. 

This scholarship to me is basically like a bridge from my former life to  a completely new life. A bridge that transports me from a discriminated, corrupted, closed, and judgmental society where simply justifying a situation or the results of the games of the politicians, can cost you your life.  To me, ‘freedom’ is just having the right to be who I am meant to be and who I am deep down insider. This scholarship is my gateway to that freedom. 

Mah Begum

I am the girl from the cliffs of the mountains, whose world is always as high and steady as the mountains that were in my village. The mountains are steadfast and nobody can move them. I told the mountains that I'm not able to move you, but I can easily climb up at your highest point. I feel like I'm racing towards the top today.

I considered life as risky before coming to America to enjoy pleasure. Life is not free of problems, and the problems are time-consuming, but there is hope for solving the problem. Today, I enjoy my life and I am happy because my world is no longer that small village. My world grows bigger and bigger every day. I remember when I was 12 years old. My brother came from Kabul to spend his summer vacation with us, and he had a computer with him.  He showed me a video clip from Marefat High School in Kabul. When we turned off the computer, I left the room and sat in a corner crying and wishing I could join the same school someday. After crying, I laughed at myself and said, "What a joke!" but today, Harvard University is my aim and I believe it is a possibility.

For me, this scholarship program has provided an open gate for me to enter and face new challenges and opportunities. It has also provided for personal and academic growth and skill development so that I may face the growing threats and instabilities in my country. The scholarship program has changed my world perspective, and with the help of people supporting this program, it is now possible to have such lofty goals.

JAWED and JAWAD

Since my father was killed we both started working in the bakery full-time to support ourselves as well as our family.

I never thought of school since then but now with your support we are able to go to school part time. Going to school is fun. I have friends who we can play during the break. We both still work in the same bakery but when I go to school my brother takes care of the bakery in the morning and when I am back he is goes to school in the afternoon.

I am really thankful of all those who supported me and my brother.

Masooma

18 year old Masooma is the eldest child in her family. She had to abandoned school when she was in grade 5 so she could begin to work full-time to help the family survive financially. She has four brothers and one sister. Her ambition is to become a doctor so she can help all of those around her who are desperately in need of medical care.

The support from Espalo was critical is helping her begin to obtain an education and pursue her dreams.

Manizha

Manizha is the 13 year old daughter of Sayed Abbas. Her father was working on a construction site when inadequate and faulty safety equipment caused him to fall to his death. Now Manizha is living with her older brother, two younger sisters and her mother. Her mother supports the family by doing laundry at neighbors places. Manizha feels lucky and thankful enough to get reconnected with education from all the support given from Espalo.

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