Samira Rustami, 20
I used to be born in Kabul, immediately deprived as a result of my gender and caste. Repeatedly, I used to be reminded that I must now not pick out up a guide or a pen. I simply had to discover ways to cook dinner and blank to serve the circle of relatives. When I did set up to seek out time to check, my mom would tear my books or even attempt to burn them to forestall me. My brother, on the other hand, was once showered with encouragement, so naturally, I regularly discovered myself short of not anything greater than to be a boy.
When I learn Malala Yousafzai’s guide, I used to be crushed with inspiration. Moved by way of Malala, I studied onerous, looking for a pathway that nobody was once supporting and even concept was once conceivable.
One day, whilst scrolling via Facebook, I discovered that programs had opened for the once a year Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarship program, during which Afghan scholars are invited to check in India on a complete scholarship. I secretly submitted an software and took a qualifying check. When I used to be admitted, my oldsters refused to ship me. After pleading with everybody in my circle of relatives, certainly one of my uncles agreed to vouch for me. And whilst learning in India, I in point of fact understood the price of schooling — {that a} lady can best be unfastened and powerful when she stands on her personal two ft, armed with wisdom.
After finishing my Bachelor’s of Business Administration, I returned to Afghanistan hoping to discover a process within the finance business. But my caste and gender persisted to thwart my employment choices.
When the Taliban overran Kabul this previous August, I noticed I needed to take a daunting chance, leaving at the back of my complete lifestyles and circle of relatives. I fled with best what I may just are compatible into my backpack.
In the United States, I believe constructive. With the chance to wait college, I purpose to start out over with a dream to develop into a nurse. I’m hoping this chance will encourage different younger Afghan women, similar to myself, that they, too, can reach their goals by way of now not giving up, by way of believing in themselves, and by way of being centered and powerful.
