In a community where many girls leave school early, the Achieve programme has helped Umama to boost her skills and broaden her horizons, opening up pathways she hadn’t known were possible before.
Eighteen-year-old Umama lives in northern Pakistan, near the Afghan border. Many girls here face deep-rooted barriers to education. ‘I decided to join Achieve because I wanted to break free from the limitations placed on girls in my community,’ Umama recalls. ‘Being from the Pakhtoon community, I grew up seeing few examples of women pursuing education or careers. I wanted more but didn’t know how to achieve it.’
The Achieve programme has helped Umama to boost her skills and broaden her horizons, transforming her perceptions of herself and her potential. Newly confident about joining in at school, she now plans to continue her studies and, one day, she hopes to start her own business.
‘Through the Achieve programme, I learned skills like teamwork, leadership, and resilience. These helped me believe in myself and make plans for my future,’ Umama explains. ‘Learning to communicate and work with others in a team changed how I see myself. I never thought I could lead or speak up, but now I feel ready for any challenge.’
Millions missing from class
According to UNICEF, almost 23 million children are out of school in Pakistan, the second highest number in the world. Adolescent girls are the group least likely to be in the classroom, and around a quarter of Pakistani girls have never been to school at all (World Bank, 2023).
In this context, our Achieve programme, delivered through our partner the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE), supports girls like Umama to build the skills they need to stay and thrive at school, to make plans for their future, and to speak up about their right to learn.
Achieve is active in seven countries, but the programme in Pakistan is the only one designed exclusively for girls and young women. Run through after-school clubs, the programme offers practical, activity-based learning in small groups, with a strong focus on building confidence as well as skills.
Speaking up and learning to lead
Given the chance to practise designing and leading group projects and activities,
Umama’s communication, teamwork and leadership skills have all blossomed. She now speaks up confidently in class, making suggestions, asking and answering questions and putting forward ideas. She also particularly values the tips and techniques she learned to cope with stress.
‘Before joining [Achieve], I was hesitant to share my ideas,’ Umama explains. ‘My confidence has grown so much! I’m not afraid to speak up at school or at home, and I feel like I’m finally able to show who I am.’
Umama is among the 97% of programme participants who now feel confident working with others or taking the lead in group settings. As her skills and confidence have soared, she has seen great changes in herself and the transformation has not gone unnoticed by her teachers and parents.
A catalyst for change
Umama is keen to continue her studies and earn an independent income, and her parents, whose views on girls’ education have evolved as they have witnessed their daughter’s transformation, are fully supportive of her ambitions. The young woman who grew up with few role models is now herself a role model for others, helping to change minds and attitudes about what girls can achieve. She has a powerful message for other young people.
‘A program like Achieve can truly change your life. It helps you see your potential and gives you the skills to make your dreams a reality,’ Umama says. ‘Don’t let fears or what others say stop you – you have the power to shape your future.’
Our Achieve programme in Pakistan is generously funded by Zindigi, powered by JS Bank.