Mark Manley

NGO and NonProfit: Afghan Womens Education Center (AWEC): - AWEC Education Centers Kabul

The Afghan Women's Educational Center (AWEC) was established in 1991 in Islamabad Pakistan, with the goal of enhancing the education, health, and civil rights of displaced Afghan women and children living in refugee camps inside Pakistan.

Following the overthrow of the Taliban, and coinciding with the return to Kabul of large numbers of displaced Afghans from the camps, AWEC began operating directly inside Afghanistan, opening two educational centers for street children in Kabul.

I had the opportunity to spend time photographing at both Centers while I was in Kabul in March of 2007.

Children seen through a window playing in the courtyard of one of two AWEC educational and support centers for street children in Kabul.
   
A girls' class at the AWEC Khair Khana Center, which provides training, education, and support to street children. Classes are segragated by gender.U.N. estimates place the number of street children in Kabul at approximately 50,000 to 60,000.
   
     
  
The playground at the Khair Khana Center in Kabul.
   
  
     
  
Laila Noorzay, principal of the Center, in her office.
   
AWEC staff left to right.Laila Noorzay, Principle, Shabnam Nasir, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Jawid Ahmad, Social Worker, Sayed Hassan, Security Guard, Qudsia, Social Worker.
   
A boys' class at the AWEC center. Classes are separated by gender.
     
  
   
Sadiqa Maqsudi, one of two teaches at the AWEC Khair Khana Center.
  
     
  
Hakim Ahmadyaar, stands outside the AWEC Center where he works as a Social Worker.
   
A young boys reflects while in an AWEC class for working street children.