USAID’s community-based Learning for Community Empowerment Program (LCEP-2) addresses the root causes of poverty and unemployment by integrating literacy education with economic empowerment training.  Recently, several participating communities in eastern Afghanistan were faced with threats from insurgents, who demanded the termination of this important education program.

To ensure that community members could continue to participate safely in the program, Community Development Councils united with households, the district governor, and the district security chief to take drastic measures against possible insurgent activities in the district.  As a result of their efforts, 2,500 adults have been able to continue attending classes in 50 learning centers. 

“We have to support and implement the USAID-funded LCEP in our district because it is not only a reading and writing program, it also [fosters] productive skills and establishment of community banks, which play a vital role in poverty reduction and strengthen the economy,” a high-level  district official said.  The program provides individuals with the opportunity to enroll in literacy classes, gain marketable job skills, attend business development training, and participate in community banking.  Throughout Afghanistan, LCEP-2 is improving the livelihoods of 312,000 youth and adults in 20 provinces.