David Falconer, the Executive Director and Founder of Classrooms Without Walls, has been instrumental in providing free online education to students residing in conflict regions. It all began on March 2022 when David received an email invitation from Smart Osvita NGO in Kyiv to contribute as an international teacher, delivering free online lessons to internally displaced students in Ukraine. Recognizing the immense need to support Ukrainian children, David wholeheartedly volunteered his time to teach for as long as necessary. Impressed by his dedication, Smart Osvita NGO invited David to oversee their international teacher recruitment program.
This experience had a profound impact on David, sparking the realization that similar programs could be developed to assist children and youth in other conflict regions across the globe. As a result, CWW was established. Presently, CWW manages four programs: Teachers for Ukraine, Teachers for Myanmar, Teachers for Afghanistan, and the Winds of Change International Leadership Youth Group. Through David’s vision and dedication, Classrooms Without Walls continues to make a significant difference in the lives of students worldwide.
Teachers 4 Afghanistan
Introduction
David, driven by the belief that every individual deserves the right to education, established the Teachers for Afghanistan program in response to the ban on education and employment of women in Afghanistan. In March 2023, David began by teaching JSL novel to a small group of 30 students. During this time, he witnessed the immense wisdom and unwavering enthusiasm for learning among Afghan girls, which further fueled his determination to continue and expand the program. With the support of professionals and instructors who volunteered their time, the program has grown to include more than 10 ongoing classes, benefiting over 200 Afghan students. These classes have not only enriched their lives but also empowered them to share their knowledge with their families and society. David was assisted in reaching his goals for CWW by four dedicated Afghan students who volunteered as Teaching Assistants. Let’s explore the diverse range of ongoing classes offered by CWW.
Courses
1. English ESL (Basics, Intermediate and Advanced) & Speaking Classes
2. Career Counselling
3. GED Prep Courses
4. The Adventures of Marathon Martin
5. Developing Leadership Skills
6. Rotaract Club
7. Linear Algebra
8. Computer Class
9. Art Course
10. The Art of Persuasion
11. Marketing Fundamentals Workshop
12. Human Rights Course
13. Yoga & Self-care Classes
Insights from Instructors
Picture of Stephen Rosenbaum (Volunteer instructor – Human rights Lecturer, UC, Berkeley School of Law)
Stephen Rosenbaum
Volunteer instructor – Human rights Lecturer, UC, Berkeley School of Law
I want to create a space for women to exercise skills in critical thinking and where they can feel free to speak about the constraints they are experiencing under an authoritarian, fundamentalist regime. I have asked myself, what is the objective of a class like this in the context of the Taliban regime when so many opportunities have been curtailed and agency and identity repressed. I have put this question to some of my former Afghan law students- who returned to Afghanistan to teach in the law schools under the Islamic Republic and then had to flee when the Taliban took over. Here are some of their comments: “Human rights education equips females with the ability to better understand themselves. If they are not able to use this knowledge against a brutal regime, they will, at least, be able to use their knowledge of human rights to convince their families to respect their rights.”
“While their world outside may be limited, these women likely still influence family, friends, and others within their cloistered environments. By understanding broader societal principles, they can bring about change in their immediate circles, influencing the perspectives and decisions of those around them.”
I find myself in agreement with what my dear colleagues and friends have to say.
Success Stories
Our CWW students have been achieving great success and improvement in their courses. Currently, seven CWW students have been accepted to American and Canadian universities with great scholarships. For instance, Zohal Noori, a student of our University; Career Counseling course, has been admitted to three of the top universities in America in her desired field. She has received an offer from Lewis University to study a Bachelor of Political Science. She has also been accepted to Nazareth University in New York, USA, to start her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies or Political Science. Finally, she has been accepted to The Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School, in New York City.
We are grateful for the efforts and hard work of our volunteers, especially Angela Blackmer, who is the instructor of the University & Career Counseling course and is putting in her best efforts to help our students achieve higher education.
Conclusion
Through the dedication and commitment of volunteers, instructors, and students, CWW has become a beacon of hope, empowering Afghan girls with the gift of education. With a wide range of courses, from Health to ESL and computer skills to art, CWW continues to create opportunities for personal growth and skill development. By supporting women in their educational pursuits, CWW is not only transforming individual lives but also fostering a more inclusive and empowered society.
