We are deeply honored to have Fatima and Razia as members of our Primary Montessori Mentoring Community. Their school, the Garden of Flowers Montessori Preschool in Kabul, Afghanistan was established in 2020 by the Medical Educational and Peace Organization (MEPO) and their Afghan NGO partner, HEWAD.
MEPO began its Montessori work with children in Kabul over twenty years ago with the House of Flowers orphanage. Mostafa Vaziri and Allison Lide had a dream to establish a safe place for orphaned children to live in a Montessori-based environment. They felt that a Montessori approach would provide just the kind of environment that would allow children’s spirits to grow, recovering from the traumas they had experienced in their few years of life, making them stronger for the challenges that lie ahead. Although the orphanage closed in 2020, they opened the Garden of Flowers Montessori Preschool in its place.
Many of the children at the Garden of Flowers have lost a parent. They live in destitute environments with families who have been through their own individual struggles or traumas. Many live in families that struggle to meet their daily needs. (Read more about the children here.)
Following the Taliban take-over of Kabul in August 2021 the Garden of Flowers closed briefly. But in November the school reopened with determination to offer a Montessori education for Afghan children, both boys and girls. Despite all the challenges they face with lack of resources, training, and funding, the staff work tirelessly to improve the lives of the children and families they serve. (Read more about the incredible staff here.)
Allison writes, “Now at the new Garden of Flowers Preschool, over and over we are hearing from the parents of the children that their children are calmer, more attentive, more helpful. And since almost all of these parents are illiterate, they are also thrilled to see that their children are already on their way to becoming literate. They’re also shocked that the children love it, love learning and love school.” Read about a typical day at Garden of Flowers and enjoy photos here.
From MEPO’s September newsletter:
The Meaning of Commitment
Learn more about MEPO and the Garden of Flowers on their Facebook page, YouTube channel, or by visiting MEPO’s website. Garden of Flowers is supported solely by individual donations. If you are interested in supporting the Garden of Flowers with a donation, please click below:
