From time to time, Fatima glanced over her shoulder at an opening into the alleyway. People could see inside, and the Taliban are stern dispensers of wrath. But she only entered the safety of the house when it was time to see the classrooms. These children are learning about the Caliph Omar, a great Muslim warrior at the time of the Holy Prophet. The school has no chairs or desks.
Students sit on old rugs.
Two of the rooms have chalkboards. The other two have only wooden slabs torn from cupboards. A fifth class, held outside on the ground, has nothing. We've ended up with more children than we can manage. We hold sessions now in two shifts.