It is back to school time for most kids across the US, but let’s be honest… how many kids really take going back to school for granted to the point of complaining that summer is over? Most. For many kids, school is a “have to” and extracurricular learning activities like sports, music and coding programs are more of a “need to for a good future resume.” It’s mainstream and pretty much expected in the US for kids to complete primary and secondary education, continue onto college for a higher education and also supplement with extracurricular activities.

Let’s take a look at Afghanistan, though. During the destructive rule of the Taliban, girls were forbidden from entering the classroom. In 2001, at the time of the fall of the Taliban, there were no females students in school in Afghanistan. Over the past 15 years, progress has been made with now over 3.6 million girls in school in Afghanistan.

If we take a look at higher education and the work force in Afghanistan, greater than 50{1e5b5b8455e4fd0a501a0ba32c7b6cedbd9d99491662a4a0878218331661888d} of female business owners in Afghanistan list computer, accounting or project management as skills they would like to improve. In light of years of girls being prohibited from formal and higher education, progress has been made.

Code to Inspire formed in 2015 to step in and provide a safe place for high school aged girls in Herat to receive additional education and begin to not just learn but dream and be courageous leaders in their communities for entrepreneurship and change.

What a wake up call to most students in the US who again say, “why is summer ending?” Our students CTI are excited for each chance to attend school and even go above and beyond with coding school. This #womencrushwednesday we give a shoutout to our female students and mentors who are taking steps to be trailblazers and get educated to further enable others. Rather than complain about school, these girls want to learn more!

Word to the wise this Wednesday – never take education for granted. It’s a unique opportunity some have dreamed of for a long while.

Code to Inspire just launched its first GoFundMe Campaign. You can check it out here and take the time this back to school season to support girls who are desperate to learn in Afghanistan.