Last spring, Z. received a competitive scholarship to study at a high school in Canada. This is a letter from Z. with only minor edits describing her time at Pax Populi Academy:

It is Z. I have been a student at Pax Populi Academy since late 2022. If I say just one word about Pax Populi, it would be life-changing. Since I became a student there, I have improved a lot. Not just academically but mentally as well. During the ongoing chaos in Afghanistan, I felt very calm and peaceful since I joined this Academy. I got the great opportunity to be in a school again when Pax Populi launched their school in 2023. Despite the fact that we could not see each other in person, I always felt fully supported by my incredible teachers and friends. I got the pleasure to be a math teacher for one and a half years in this Academy as well as being a student. Entering each class, whether it was my own class or others’, I felt like I entered a room full of my loved ones. Whether you were a teacher or a student in this Academy, everyone treated each other like siblings. The curriculum at Pax Populi Academy is based on international standards. I had great teachers who made the lessons very easy for me. Every student takes social studies, math, English, and science classes. There are different clubs available as well.

What I really loved about this Academy was that everyone is always there for each other despite their own problems. During this stressful time in Afghanistan, they uplift each other with every tiny strength remaining in their blood. I remember whenever I felt down, it was enough to text someone in Pax Populi, and that was all. When I was absent, my peers would text me to see if there was any problem with me. These actions mean a lot for us because we are going through a lot. At Pax Populi Academy, I only saw strength and power. Power to be patient, hopeful, helpful, and most of all power to keep working hard.

As a member of Pax Populi, I learned all these values. I got a full scholarship to study in Canada and currently live there. All the values I learned at Pax Populi Academy led me to where I am now. Working hard and staying hopeful at the same time, my efforts worked out. I am thankful to Pax Populi for all the values they taught me as well their existence in every down time I faced. I would have given up multiple times by now if they were not there for me. The school was a hope for me like a candle in the darkness. Additionally, because I got familiar with the international curriculum through Pax Populi Academy, I feel less pressure at my school in Canada. I feel very confident attending my classes, especially math, because Pax Populi provided a similar high quality education for me. Words can’t express how grateful I am for being a part of such an empowering Academy. I look forward to being a source of help for my peers back home through volunteering in this wonderful Academy. I would like to thank the director of this Academy Mr. McNulty and my lovely teacher Ms. Lara Chuppe for their great support for Afghan girls in every up and down situation in Afghanistan.

With Love,

Z.

Z. is excelling academically at her school in Canada, and we are thrilled to see her thriving as we know she would.

Please support and share about our work, so we can continue helping girls like Z. soar!

Hello. I am writing this message on behalf of many Afghan doves.

I tried to write about our situation here, many times. But I failed. Because, I could not find proper words for them. It is really beyond what words can handle. In addition, I did not want to write emotional words that would make you feel sorry for us.

But know that, we are enduring a lot. Beyond a teenage girl’s capacity. We are growing up, but not 2, or 3, or 4 years, hundreds of years. Not in years, but in the silent battles we fight in this darkness. There are hundreds of thousands of doves who are falling, but they do not reach the ground. You know why? Because they are not conscious of their ability to fly. They do not know that they have wings. They need someone to remind them that they have wings, the ability to fly. But unfortunately, they have no one to stand by their side.

It has been 4 years that we are handling all this alone. We did not want anything else from the world, but talking about this, but raising awareness about this situation. Let alone the fact that no one is even talking about it. People, from around the world, are coming and hanging out with this group here. Every day, we see many tourists coming here with a camera in their hands, saying, “Hey guys, as you can see there are more women than men on streets, so women can actually go out! It’s so safe here! I have not experienced anything bad from them.”

It feels like being in a coma, and someone says, “Her heart is beating, so she is living.”

But I promise, one day we will all be able to fly, very high in the sky, over the clouds. Carrying the pure white flags of peace, we will show the world that kindness and love is the biggest trait of humanity.

Student A with a book

I was always an active and ambitious student. Before schools were banned for women and girls in Afghanistan, I thrived in my studies and school activities. However, when the restrictions were imposed, everything changed. It was a devastating time for me. When the time for exams came, I was left with a sense of incompletion and loss knowing that the schools and universities had suddenly been closed to me.

Feeling frustrated, sad, and with a deep sense of uncertainty, I tried to keep my mind engaged by solving math problems, reading books, and studying on my own. However, I couldn’t rid myself of the feeling that I was wasting my talents. To counter that, I took a leap and started teaching English and Turkish. While it was fulfilling to help others, it pained me to know that I wasn’t advancing my own education or pursuing new opportunities. I longed for a place where I could continue to learn and grow.

When I found out about Pax Populi Academy, everything changed. I felt inspired from the moment I was interviewed for admission. The interviewer left a profound impact on me, and being accepted into the academy gave me a renewed sense of hope.

Since joining Pax Populi Academy, my life has been transformed. I’m no longer the hopeless person I was before. Now, I’m passionate about learning and filled with excitement for every subject we study. Our teachers are exceptional, dedicated, experienced, and deeply invested in our growth. My classmates are equally inspiring; their intelligence motivates me to push myself further.

One of the most transformative experiences at the academy has been studying philosophy. I’ve fallen in love with thinking critically, asking questions, and exploring the nature of things. This class has truly reshaped how I view the world. My ability to analyze, reflect, and engage with complex ideas has improved immensely. Every single day, I learn something new. It’s an incredible feeling to share that knowledge with the people around me.

Whether it’s philosophy, economics, math, or chemistry, I feel like I’m growing in every field. What makes Pax Populi Academy so special is the way our teachers teach. They don’t just pass on knowledge; they show us how to use it in meaningful ways. This practical, hands-on approach makes learning both effective and empowering.

Pax Populi Academy isn’t just a school; it’s a place that inspires change. It has given me the tools to look at the world in new ways, communicate more effectively, and make a difference in the world. Every day, I’m driven by the academy’s mission to spread education and create a positive impact. I carry that passion with me in everything I do.