Keeping SIYB Alive in Afghanistan:  A Reflection on 2021

Despite the uncertainty and challenges in Afghanistan, 2021 was a year of resilience and dedication to entrepreneurship training. As part of the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) program, the Afghan National Association for Adult Education (ANAFAE) successfully conducted a Training of Master Trainers (ToMT) with four candidates, who then went on to train 33 new trainers in two groups. Additionally, nine Training of Entrepreneurs (ToEs) sessions were held, benefiting 107 participants—all conducted on-site, even as the situation in the country deteriorated.

I personally collected and submitted this information to the International Labour Organization (ILO) while serving as a Master Trainer, uncertain about my own future after the Taliban's return. Yet, through dedication and teamwork, we managed to keep the program running, ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs in Afghanistan had access to quality training.