QALAM Workshops

“Education is one thing no one can take away from you.” - Edin Nordegren.

AAAGA conducts bi-weekly QALAM workshops. Qalam means “Pen” in Dari, Urdu, Pashto, and Arabic. We believe that every positive change begins with education, which is why we consider these workshops a significant step towards educating our community. Our workshops are not traditional presentations but rather hands-on activities that allow attendees to learn actively. Qalam aims to mentor learners in developing skills for self-sufficiency while learning English, rather than solely teaching the language. The topics covered in our workshops include creating an email address, paying utility bills online, using Google Translate, scheduling doctor visits online or over the phone, applying/renewing for public benefits, understanding taxes and regulations, knowing your rights in the workplace, communicating with the school and teachers of your children, filling out a job application, and similar topics that are essential to their daily needs. We encourage attendees to be active participants and occasionally invite different professional speakers to provide specialized knowledge. These offerings are available both online and in person to be as accessible and convenient as possible. The workshops are conducted in Dari and Pashto on a rotating schedule.