International Womens’ Day at Cherrybrook Technology High School

In 2008, CTHS Social Justice team organized our first ever International Women's Day breakfast that was attended by students, parents, staff and members of the wider community. Our theme for this year's breakfast was…because I am a girl…and all money raised was donated to Mahboba’s Promise.

Mahboba spoke to us about the harshness of life in Afghanistan which moved and inspired us to support her work with women and children. Two CTHS students of Afghani background, Raihana Haidary and Elly Kohistani also shared their experiences.

Elly passionately reminded us : "every child has the right to dream and have access to education and that to achieve this goal, we need to shift our way of thinking, we must learn to get beyond fear, beyond self interest… and that coming here today was our first step, as the raising of awareness is crucial……" She reminded us that we are a privileged community and that "we are the change we seek".

The response from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Our SRC organized a mufti day, with all money going towards our new sister school, Oria Khaiel School in Paghman. Students who attended the breakfast have been inspired to tell their friends, who in turn have come forward asking what they can do to help.