While the origins of Nowruz are shrouded in the mists of time it is a tradition dating back thousands of years. It is a festival that is anticipated with great excitement and celebrated with much joy by our students and their families in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. It marks the start of the New Year in Iran as well as in most Central Asian countries. However, it is not just the beginning of the new year that is being celebrated, but also the victory of truth over falsehood; of light over darkness. It is celebrated with the hope that the new year will be free of troubles for this is the festival that welcomes Spring and with it a celebration of nature, newness, good health and a return to life and light after the cold, dark winter. Please accept the greetings of our students in Pakistan. In Andkhoy District, Faryab Province, Afghanistan where one of our schools and many of our literacy programs for girls and women are based, the Taliban (which is making its presence felt again) has forbidden women from stepping out of the house for two days before and two days following Nowruz. Their celebrations must, per force, be private, curtailed within the four walls of their homes.

What are your hopes/wishes for the new year? 13 year old Khadija (pictured here) who is filling out the few questions I had sent replied, "Happy life, better life than past years." Amna, 11 years old, 1st Grade was not the only one to echo the sentiment: "I wish to improve my studies." Samina, 8 years old, 2nd Grade: "I want to go (to) Afghanistan." Shukriya, 13 years, 4th Grade also voiced a thought that was repeated by others: "I wish that there should be peace in Afghanistan."

When you look back on the previous year what do you think you have accomplished? Shakila (pictured here), aged 21 who attends the Evening School for Girls says, "I want to be (sic) ready myself for better life, to be (more) successful (than) in past years." Mastoora, 15 years old, 2nd Grade also in the Evening School told a different story: "It was not good. My father was dead (sic). Because of his death my education was disturbed. I complete my education (now)." " I complete my 7th Grade at my previous year ," said Fatima, aged 15, who attends 7th grade at the Barakat Elementary School. Her feelings were re-iterated by many other fellow students who were proud to have finished another year of school successfully, despite the many demands on their time at home.

What does Nowruz mean to you? While for many students the answer was a simple "New Year" , Mah Gul (to the left), 14 years old, in 6th Grade of Barakat Elementary School gave a more detailed answer, saying, "Nowruz is very important for me. We (are) happy at this day. We cook different dishes. We meet our friends and family and we made (sic) our special dishes like sabzi-pulao, samank, haft mewa etc."

Sharing a delicious meal together. One of the ways in which the students love to celebrate is by going out for picnics with family. Here at the Barakat Schools they are able to get together and share their meal with friends.

It is our hope too that the New Year brings peace, prosperity and happiness in its wake for our beneficiaries in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. You can help to make it a reality by allowing us to continue our work through your support.

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