There are moments in life when the weight of the world feels unbearable when your heart aches with the pain of all that’s been lost. For me, that weight is the memory of Afghanistan, my homeland, where dreams once soared high and the future seemed full of promise. But everything changed the fall of our government, the loss of hope, and the silence that followed. That light that once shone so brightly slowly dimmed.
As I think about my country, a deep sorrow fills my heart. I have a close friend there, a bright young woman whose dream of becoming a doctor was shattered by the new government’s rules. It’s heartbreaking to know that while I sit here in a classroom, she and so many other girls are denied the chance to learn, to grow, to become everything they hope to be. Recently, I learned that girls are no longer allowed to study medicine, to become doctors or nurses. That news pierced my heart. It’s a painful reminder that the road to education remains blocked for so many of my sisters, and my heart aches for them.
But even in these dark times, I refuse to give up hope. I’ve made a promise to myself not just to study for my own future, but for the future of every girl in Afghanistan who has been silenced. I want to show my country that no matter the challenges, we are not weak. We deserve the right to learn, to rise, and to make a difference.
Today, I study not only for myself but for every girl whose dreams are still waiting to be realized. I will carry my hope like a light in the darkness, believing that one day, the doors of education will open again for every girl in Afghanistan. Until then, I will keep moving forward, one step at a time, one day at a time. I will keep learning, keep hoping, and keep believing that change is possible. And when that day comes, I will return to help rebuild what was lost, and fight for the futures of those who have been denied their chance to dream.
I carry the weight of this responsibility in my heart every day. It’s not just about what I am learning now it’s about the future I want to build, not only for myself but for all the girls back home who are denied their basic right to education. Every time I open a book, attend a lecture, or write an assignment, I remind myself that I am studying for those who cannot.
I think of my friend, who once shared her dreams with me, dreams that now feel out of reach. I think of the countless girls who long to hold a book in their hands, to sit in a classroom, to feel the joy of learning. They deserve the same opportunities that I have. They deserve the chance to change the world just as much as anyone else.
But it’s hard, isn’t it? It’s hard to see a future that seems so distant, especially when you know the struggles others are facing. The pain of seeing people you love trapped in a reality you cannot reach is overwhelming. Yet, I find strength in these struggles. They remind me why I must keep going. The road to change is never easy, but I believe with all my heart that it is worth walking, even when the journey feels endless.
For now, I hold onto the hope that one day the world will see the strength and potential in every Afghan girl. I will continue my studies not only as a student but as a symbol of resilience for those who cannot stand in a classroom. I will work to become the change I want to see, believing that the future holds a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow for Afghanistan and all its daughters.
In the face of pain, in the face of loss, I will choose hope. I will keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles, because I know that one day, I will return to my country with the knowledge and the strength to help rebuild it. Until then, I will study, I will dream, and I will believe that change is coming, not just for me, but for every girl whose dreams are still waiting to be realized.