Class of '62 Student Enrichment Fund Event
Campus visit by Shabana Basij-Rasikh
September 21, 2016

On Wednesday, September 21, Shabana Basij-Rasikh came to Culver. She is an Afghan educator, humanitarian, and women's rights champion. She was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1991. She grew up under the rule of the Taliban, forcing her to dress as a boy to attend a secret school, since educating women was forbidden. Shabana first attended public school after their fall in 2002. She attended her senior year of high school in Wisconsin as a part of an exchange program scholarship by the United States State Department. After graduation, she attended Middlebury College in Vermont, graduating in 2011.

In 2009, Basij-Rasikh founded HELA, inc, whose mission is to "Empower Afghan Women through Education". The group held fundraisers throughout the North East United States to build a school in a rural area in eastern Afghanistan. She also opened the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) and has received worldwide recognition for her work. She is now 25 years old and is fully committed to expanding the school so more girls can have access to education.

Her day at Culver began with a meeting in Roberts Auditorium where she introduced herself to 55 community members, including students and faculty. While soft spoken, her audience immediately sensed her passion and commitment to the education of all young people in Afghanistan, with a special focus on young women. There is a lack of education in general because there is a shortage of teachers. Several questions were asked by the students, and she commented that she was very impressed by their questions. The danger of doing what she does was evident. There is no published location for her school, which began with 4 girls and is up to 40 at the sixth grade level and lower grades. They must speak English at the school due to the different languages represented by the students.

Culver's Global Studies Institute, under the direction of John Buggeln, invited the entire senior class to lunch with Shabana in the Heritage Room of Legion Memorial. Approximately 50 students attended. Shabana talked about the advantages she had by being a high school exchange student in Wisconsin and then graduating from Middlebury College. The U.S. changed her and opened her views. The privilege she had needed to be brought home to the Afghan people.

Shabana's lone figure on the stage at the all school meeting, for our entire community, held the attention of the audience. She made several references to all of the things we take for granted, from skyscrapers to social settings to the choices in education. Several students expressed later that they felt they could never contribute to our world the way she has and is. Regardless of the dangers that are faced, "Girls will have acid thrown on their faces, but they will still come to school", she said. While it was difficult for our community to comprehend what life is like in this area of the world, our eyes were opened and we were all very impressed by the power and strength of this young woman. While a different speaker from previous Class of 62 Speakers, Shabana provided a powerful voice that will stay with our community for a long time.

CLASS OF 1962 STUDENT ENRICHMENT FUND FEEDBACK
Speaker - Shabana Basij-Raskh
September 21, 2016
As compiled by Laura Yea

"The thing I liked most about Shabana's presentation was her story. It was very interesting and intriguing. I learned a lot about how difficult her life is and how lucky we are to be at Culver. I think I will view Culver and my education as more of a gift than I did before."
--Abigail '20

"The presentation definitely made me appreciate my own education even more. We are pretty lucky to be living in the US and going to a prestigious boarding school."
--Jack '17

"My favorite part of the presentation was the video prepared by girls in the school. It definitely gave life to the ideas she was trying to convey and generated a personal relationship between us (the audience) and the girls that are attending the school in Kabul. I already had some background information regarding the Russian invasion and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. However, I did not know that the Taliban still has a big influence in the country. After hearing her presentation, I will definitely appreciate the education that I have access to more. I cannot picture how it might feel to risk your life in order to be educated."
--Jaime '17

"I thought that the speaker was very relatable and she wasn't a victim of her circumstances, she was a victor. My favorite part of her presentation was the video she presented made by girls in the school. It was realistic and optimistic. I learned that no matter what circumstances you have, you are still capable of doing things that change the world. The only things that hold you back are your own excuses. Even when you do not want to listen to advice or remember that you can do it, you still can."
--Ashley '18

"I like when we are able to have smaller meetings with the speakers that come to campus. I went to the luncheon and felt I was able to ask questions. I think others felt the same. I felt very inspired by her commitment and yet she seemed like a regular person. I think it shows all of us that we are capable of great things."
--Maddy '19

"I can't believe she is only 25 years old and has done so much!"
--Isabelle '20

"Shabana corrected the single story many of us had of Afghanistan. She showed us how valuable a good education is and how willing people are to take risks to get an education. I now have a broader view of Afghans as courageous people looking for a better life free from terrorism."
--Adam '18

"This speaker was outstanding. I appreciate that we are able to get so many different types of speakers and I think it was important we see people from parts of the world that we do not fully understand. It reminded me that we are all people."
--Charles '18

"I was able to spend time with Shabana at a luncheon beforehand and I really like how she spent time answering our questions about the region [Afghanistan]. At the All School Meeting presentation she broke down stereotypes and helped the audience to empathize with her. She has a very inspiring story. After both sessions, I feel like I have a much better understanding of a region of the world that I did not know about as well as a broader perspective on people within the Middle East. She helped me to remember the importance of individualism when subjected to large generalizations via the media. I definitely will be more conscientious of generalizations and stereotypes concerning the Middle East. I love having speakers who are empowered individuals. It is very rare to get to hear such inspiring stories first hand. I don't have any specific recommendations; I'm just very thankful for the generosity of the Class of 1962."
--Sarina '18

"It was amazing to see a woman who was so strong and dedicated. She was so small and quiet, I didn't really know how she would be. By the end of her story, I was blown away. I can't imagine what it is like to go through each day with death threats just for bringing girls to school."
--Olivia '17

"Part way through her presentation, it occurred to me that this is a side of the Middle East that we don't hear enough about. The media will often show the terrorists or corruption making it easy to forget about the people that are just trying to make it work for their families. It was good food for thought and I enjoyed hearing about it. I hope that we can get more people like this that broaden our perspective on the world."
--Tyler '17

"I really liked Shabana's entire presentation, but my favorite part was the video that the girls put together to show what their school was like. They were so positive and eager in spite of the threat they face. What was even more amazing was when we learned that the girl in the video spoke four languages! I struggle with learning my second. The whole story was inspirational."
--Nora '19

"Shabana showed a picture of three Middle Eastern men sitting around a fire and asked us to share our thoughts about it. Most of the comments from the audience had to do with terrorism and/or plotting. We learned from her that this was one of the fathers of her student that was sitting for a family gathering. He risks his own life to send her to school each day. It was pretty eye-opening!"
--Sarah '19