Dear Friends and Supporters,

It's been a long time since we last wrote, so I'd like to give you an update on the success of our literacy classes for women and girls through the Dyana Afghan Women's Fund (DAWF). This is also an opportunity for you to give a woman in Afghanistan access to education for only $25 a month.

DAWF provides basic education and skills-training classes for women and girls denied these opportunities during years of continued conflict.

Our first class, which began in 2006, was a huge success. 22 students graduated, earning their level 5 certificates (the equivalent of a diploma from the Afghan Ministry of Education) in 2009.

Our second class started in 2008 in a remote region and has now been completed. It was largely financed by The Funding Network - Toronto (TFN).

Our third class is nearing completion, with the students starting their 5th and final level in December.

Several of our graduates have already found employment and many others have been able to enter the regular school system at much higher levels than expected. "The standard of learning in DAWF class is higher than in traditional schools," reported one of our students, "I've been able to enter grade 7 after finishing level 5 of the DAWF program."

Thanks to your generous donations over the last seven years, and the TFN, there's been no need for additional fundraising ? until now.

On October 13, 2012, DAWF held a successful fundraising dinner in Scarborough, Ontario to help start our next class. But the program is at risk, unless we're able to raise more funds. DAWF is a small charity with no staff and almost zero overhead. All the proceeds raised go directly to support education for women and girls in Afghanistan.

It costs around $25 a month to provide one woman or girl with basic literacy skills. It costs approximately $750 to provide her with a complete five-level course to give her the skills she requires to improve the quality of her own life and that of her family.

There are still numerous problems facing Afghanistan. Women and girls continue to struggle to achieve their basic human rights to equality and justice. However, with your support we offer basic education and skills-training classes for those who have been denied the opportunity.

Please help us continue to offer life-changing programs by visiting our How to Donate page.

Your donations are tax-deductible and if made before December 31, 2012 will be eligible for your 2012 Canadian tax return.