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AYLA

Get involved

Four concrete things, and what each one actually requires

AYLA has no paid staff, so nothing here is a request for general support. Each one is a specific gap with a specific cost — in hours, in dollars, or in an introduction.
Donate insteadJust talk to us

01

Volunteer

Teach a class, moderate a class, or mentor an applicant.

Every teacher in AYLA's programme is a volunteer, and every class is paired with a moderator. Rounds run for about three months, and the commitment that makes the difference is a reliable weekly slot — students plan their week around it.

Offer your time

What would help most

  • English teachers at beginner, intermediate and advanced level
  • German teachers working toward B1 and B2
  • Computer skills and graphic design instructors
  • Moderators to run attendance, materials and student contact
  • Application mentors to review scholarship essays one-to-one

02

Partner with us

For NGOs, universities, schools and businesses.

AYLA's existing partnerships are simple and specific: an organisation covers a cost the programme cannot cover itself, and AYLA reports back on exactly what it bought. Ideas Beyond Border funded connectivity. The Duolingo English Test team donated coupons. The Hazara Resource Center covered data and platform access.

Start a conversation

What would help most

  • Connectivity funding — the single biggest determinant of attendance
  • Donated test coupons or waived examination fees
  • Scholarship places that accept applicants without obtainable transcripts
  • Platform, software or cloud credits for teaching and design courses
  • Remote work placements for graphic design and digital skills graduates

03

Fundraise for education

Run a campaign where you are.

The costs AYLA needs covered are small and easy to explain, which makes them unusually good fundraising targets. A student's whole round costs about $17; a test coupon about $65. A modest campaign funds a real, countable number of students.

Tell us your plan

What would help most

  • Workplace or campus fundraisers with a named target — a class, a round, a cohort of test fees
  • Birthday and event fundraisers
  • Matched giving through an employer scheme

04

Become an ambassador

Represent AYLA in your city, campus or network.

Ambassadors are AYLA's route into places the team has no reach: a university's admissions office, a diaspora community, a company's giving committee, a local press contact. It is a light commitment with disproportionate effect.

Apply to be an ambassador

What would help most

  • Introductions to universities with scholarship places for Afghan students
  • Diaspora community organisers who can reach students and sponsors
  • Journalists and researchers covering education in Afghanistan
  • Anyone willing to make the case for this work in a room AYLA cannot get into

What partnership looks like in practice

Every one of these was a single, specific cost someone agreed to cover

This is the whole model. An organisation or individual takes one line item, AYLA reports back on exactly what it bought, and the next round happens.

  • Duolingo English Test team

    2023 onward

    Partnered with AYLA from 2023 to provide free English test coupons to Afghan applicants, primarily women.

  • Ideas Beyond Border

    Round 5

    Granted $5,100 for Round 5 — internet packages for roughly 300 girls and 10 volunteers, plus $50 per month for three months to five AYLA members inside Afghanistan.

  • Hazara Resource Center (HRC)

    Round 2

    A US-based nonprofit that supported AYLA's online courses with internet packages and Google Meet access.

  • Mr. Arif Sulaimani

    Round 2

    Sponsored Duolingo English Test coupons for five applicants.

  • Mr. Shehzad

    Round 1

    Provided internet packages for students taking online courses.

  • Ms. Silsila

    Round 1

    Provided internet packages for students taking online courses.

Discuss a partnership

If you are a student

This page is for supporters. You do not need any of it.

Classes are free, there is no application fee, and you do not need a sponsor to enrol. Tell us your level and what you want to study, and we will place you in the next round. If you need a free English test coupon, say so and we will tell you when the next selection round opens.

Ask about joining a classFree study resources

Or just fund it

If you would rather write a cheque than a lesson plan.

Round 5 cost $5,100 for around 300 students. The donate page breaks down exactly what each amount covers.

See what a donation buysContact the team