Afghanistan | Salman's Secret: Studying Finnish Under Clay Walls to Escape Afghanistan

In the Taliban-controlled landscape of Afghanistan, a clandestine educational movement is taking root. Nearly 100 Afghans are secretly pursuing the Finnish language, a pursuit fraught with danger.

Among them is 21-year-old Salman, who studies Finnish via video call from his home in Afghanistan. To safeguard his studies from the ruling Taliban, he takes extreme precautions. He removes the WhatsApp application from his phone before venturing outside, ensuring his educational activities remain hidden. His teachers, Sunniva Drake and Bakhtawar Panahi, operate from Helsinki, with Panahi providing support in Dari and Finnish.

Salman's dedication is evident in his cautious approach. When asked if he has studied or has a profession, he responds in Finnish, "I don't understand." This response, delivered over a crackling phone line from Herat, highlights the precariousness of his situation. The pursuit of knowledge, particularly a language that could offer a pathway to a different life, is conducted under the shadow of potential reprisal.

The article, published by Helsingin Sanomat, underscores the lengths to which individuals will go to seek opportunities beyond their current circumstances. For Salman and others like him, learning Finnish is not merely an academic exercise; it is a secret hope for a future outside of Afghanistan.

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I don't understand.