Hello Runner!
As you know, our Run4aChild end of year challenge, called Ayandeh is focused on helping Afghanistan.
Afghanistan remains a dynamically diverse country with different religions, cultures, languages and ethnic roots that have coexisted for generations.
Today, we brought you 8 curiosities, so that you can learn a bit more about this country.
Did you know that:
- An estimated 3.7 million children do not go to school in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, 60% of them are girls.The Afghan education system has been damaged due to more than three decades of prolonged conflict. In the poorest and most remote areas of the country, education levels vary widely and girls still do not have equal access. Now with the Taliban taking over, the chances are that female access to education will reduce and probably be banned.
- “Buzkashi” is Afghanistan’s national game. Players in two teams try to catch a goat while riding a horse. This game is being played for centuries and is a tough sport.
- Family is a very important aspect of Afghan culture. Afghan culture is very collectivist and people generally put the interests of their families before their own. This means that family responsibilities tend to be more important than personal needs. Loyalty to one’s family also generally is more important than any obligation to one’s tribe or ethnicity.
- The official languages in Afghanistan are Dari and Pashto. Between 40 and 59 languages are spoken in Afghanistan. Dari and Pashto are the official and most widely used languages. Dari, also known as Farsi is the official name for the variant of Persian spoken in the country.
- Afghanistan has the second highest number of refugees in the World, losing just to Syria that has the highest. The Afghanistan crisis is currently at its peak with 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees already in surrounding countries and 3.5 million people forced to escape their homes in Afghanistan, having to search for refuge in other parts of the country.
- Shaking hands between men and women is not allowed. In Afghan culture it is mostly not allowed to the touch those of the alternative sex throughout greetings, unless it’s a family member.
- Afghanistan produces around 1.5 million tonnes of fresh fruit per year. Afghanistan has a wide range of high-quality, organic and sought-after dried fruits. The Afghan range of dried fruits includes raisins, apricots, figs, cherries, plums, dates and blackberries. It is a family business that has been passed on from generation to generation for many years.
- The Gardens of Babur is a historic area in Kabul. Locally called “Bagh-e Babur”, these gardens were created around 1528 AD (935 AH) has the culture of Mughal Princes. They were created in order to expand places to exercise and as an ultimate resting-place.
Are you close enough on becoming an expert on Afghanistan? We hope you are excited and even more motivated to run in our Ayandeh Challenge!
Don’t forget that this time. you are running to help Afghanistan’s children, their well-being and their education. You are running for a major cause! Just a little reminder, if you haven’t seen our video yet, check it out here and KEEP ON RUNNING!
Run4aChild Team