In many countries, going to school and receiving an education is as normal as watching the sun rise in the morning. In many others it remains as remote and inaccessible as the highest Himalayan mountains peaks.

Two years ago I founded the Nai Qala Association, constituted of a group of dedicated and competent volunteers, with the objective of building schools in my home country, Afghanistan. I am a teacher and believe deeply in the importance of education. In my country, obtaining access to a quality education is a real struggle, in particular in traditionally neglected rural areas.

Between May 2007 and December 2008, my association completed a first project in the village of Nai Qala, in my region of origin. In the spring of 2009, I travelled to Nai Qala to see for myself the newly finished school building, where lessons now take place in much improved conditions, and to talk with the population. This visit profoundly moved me.

I saw in the eyes of the children - and heard in the words that they spoke - extraordinary hope, a powerful will and determination to learn and to take control of their destinies. These children and their parents are driven by the same hope as everywhere else on our planet: to build a more dignified future for their family, region and country.

The Nai Qala Association draws its determination to contribute actively to a better future in Afghanistan from the motivation of the children, the men and the women that I met. The success of the first project and the extraordinary support received from individual and institutional donors in several countries have convinced me to pursue this commitment in the form of two new projects, this time with schools for the villages of Sada and Gawmurda.

I would be very proud if you would join me in picking up these new challenges!

Taiba Rahim