"It is up to us": Sohaila Jafari

For individuals who work towards a dream, problems are no more than challenges to overcome. Sohaila Jafari, 22, from Bamiyan is one of such individuals, living a dream and embracing its challenges.

"We immigrated to Iran before I was born." The series of wars that broke out inside Afghanistan forced thousands to seek asylum in countries other than their own, countries such as Iran and Pakistan.

Thirty years ago, the Jafari family immigrated to Iran and started to raise the family in a territory where safety is not a concern. Living away from home, however, had its own problems.

"In many places, there were strict regulations against Afghans. This included education and work. People used to tell me ‘we prefer Iranians’ or ‘we need you to first go through procedures’." She continues, "And those procedures were many, long and impossible to pass."

"But" she quickly adds, "I never gave up my dreams." Sohaila says she always dreamed of becoming an engineer. "My father had a construction equipment business and I wanted to be in this business too."

Alongside high school education, Sohaila successfully completed a three-month course in the design software AutoCAD and later found her way into a three-month internship program related to her course material.

"I worked in a company and helped make sketches and designs of buildings in AutoCAD." Smiling, she continues, "I became a draft woman when we came back to Afghanistan."

Before starting to work as a draft woman however, Sohaila had the last year of high school to pass.

"The first year in Afghanistan was hard. Learning about traditions, the accent and passing high school subjects that I had never studied before such as geography, history and Pashto was very hard." She continues, "Sometimes, I was even looked at as a foreigner because I had come from Iran."

Adapting to life in Afghanistan is a difficult task for many returnees but for many, returning home can also open doors. "After a while, I suddenly found myself preparing for university and working in a construction company."

More than a year has passed since Sohaila has started to work in Omran Construction Company. "I am a draft woman now; my team consists of four people and I am happy to work there."

Sohaila has worked on several projects, amongst which the largest ones were camps for the National Army around the country. She says, "I could never do this if I was in Iran. Plus, I could not come to AUAF if I was not here."

After graduating from high school in 2006, Sohaila took the Concours (university entrance test of Afghanistan) to enroll in a public university. She says, "I took the test but I think I was looking for something other than Kabul University.

Sohaila Jafari then decided that she would focus on her work and postpone her higher education endeavors until she found a more suitable opportunity. "Eesa Ahmadi, who is an AUAF student, is my workmate and he told me about this University."

"He told me that there is this very good school that has good teachers and a good atmosphere." She adds, "It is a good school but I think prices should be lowered."

As an employee coming from an average-income family with brothers and sisters, Sohaila hopes for a comprehensive education system that takes into consideration her financial background, "At least, there should be a certain program for female students to help them cover their expenses."

After learning about AUAF, Sohaila enrolled in Foundation Studies Program (FSP) which prepares students for the challenging expectations of university degree programs.

Now, after two semesters in the FSP program, Sohaila has become fluent in English and ready to move on. "I will either move to the Undergraduate program or continue with FSP, my test results will tell me soon."

Looking at her education at AUAF, Sohaila says, "The first thing that attracted me in AUAF was the people and the situation. People are friendly and it encourages academic accomplishment."

She continues, "I think women have opportunities here but outside AUAF, they are weak."

Observing the world from her window, with a past proving her determination and achievement, Sohaila seems to be confident about her opinion, "Women cannot make decisions now. But I think it is up to us, we can do anything we want."

Sohaila hopes to pursue her education in either engineering or in business with a long-term ambition of joining the government, "I want to become an ambassador and travel." She continues, "I am determined to reach my goals. For example, I am reading about Afghanistan so that as a future ambassador, I will be ready and aware."

In her opinion, the current government should be valued and be strengthened. "We have peace and we can’t loose this." She urges the youth of Afghanistan to take part in the country’s rebuilding. "Work hard because we need to build Afghanistan again. As they say, we can do it if we want."