Home of AUAF students

In January 2008, AUAF opened its first mens dormitory and provided housing for six students coming from outside Kabul. The house has now become their comfortable home.

The boys, who either call it AUAF guest house or simply the home, have access to 24 hour electricity and water, services which are not available in most parts of Kabul.

Zuhal Wahaj, manager of the AUAF dorm says: "We try our best to provide students with facilities they need to live well because we want them to have their minds free for studying."

After electricity and water, food is the other essential aspect of a relaxed residential living. AUAF dorm, adhering to its goal of making a home for its students, serves homemade food. "Students select what they like to eat and we cook it for them but they must always eat vegetables with it." Says Homa, the house mother.

The dorm "mom and dad" are the caregivers. "It feels like a family, we have parents here who look after us," says Wali from Jawzjan province. He joined the dorm in mid-January.

Anwar, the house dad, adds: "The color TV, couches and green tea gather the students for a happy evening, usually for a football match which is watched cheerfully and loudly."

In AUAF dorm, three students share a room and the house parents are there to live with students. "We play volleyball on Saturdays and have the lunch out in the garden, which is turning green these days." Anwar glimpses at their weekend schedule.

There are other things to do as well. AUAF is in a historical neighborhood of Kabul near Darulaman Palace, the National Museum, and Afghanistan's Parliament. "Although visiting these places is on the list, everybody likes to lay in the garden and enjoy the sunshine or play volleyball."

Firuz adds: "We're not professionals or even trained players but it's a lot of fun anyway. Last week, we played with a punctured volleyball after someone served the ball right into the barbed wires on the wall."