The situation in Afghanistan has developed rapidly. Even before the Taliban takeover, the country was one of the hardest places in the world to be a child. Now kids and families don’t
know what to expect next. But Alight has a solution that has worked in times of crisis.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Radio Muallim was developed to reach children locked down at home with educational activities and lessons, so they wouldn’t fall behind and
had something positive to focus on in challenging times. 200,000+ kids learned age-appropriate numeracy and literacy through a series of radio broadcasts hosted by older children. Lessons
featured stories, poems, games and physical exercise to keep kids interested and engaged.
Support Alight’s Response
Alight’s Pakistan team is working to bring Radio Muallim to Afghanistan to help kids feel a sense of normalcy in this time of uncertainty and fear.
Alight has worked with Afghan refugees for nearly two decades, and has meanwhile enrolled more than 1 million out-of-school children into formal and non-formal schools in Pakistan. Our Pakistan team has begun the process of adapting the Radio Muallim program, including translating lessons into local Afghan languages and reaching out to Pakistan radio channels that can help them reach inside Afghanistan. More support is needed to get learning on the airwaves and into the homes of Afghan children in this challenging time.
