The month in pictures: September

Promoting pluralism in Portugal, bringing drinking water to rural Tajikistan, and planting mangroves in Mozambique: scroll down to catch a glimpse of our work this month.

In rural Qubodiyon, young girls and boys until recently had to spend at least three hours a day fetching water. With the installation of water stands in homes, these girls are able to spend more time studying and spending quality time with friends. This was possible through a partnership between AKF, USAID, the Government of Tajikistan and local communities.

Location: Khatlon region, Tajikistan 

Photographer: Orzu Sobirov

Children play at the Almuhamadi Education Hub in Tartous. The hub is one of several in Syria supported by AKF, aimed at strengthening community-based Early Childhood Development (ECD) and education services within marginalised communities. Here, trained ECD facilitators offer essential psychosocial support to children aged 3-10 through playful activities including games, competitions, and music workshops.

Location: Tartous, Syria 

Photographer: Ali Shaheen

When she was a child, Sifat Gul watched her mother work as a tailor from home – she always wanted to do the same. As an adult, she bought her first sewing machine and started her own tailoring business. Now, Sifat Gul runs a vocational training institute where women can learn tailoring, embroidery, fashion design, and knitting. So far, she has trained around 2,800 women and girls who either work for her or work independently in their own villages. Over the years, Sifat Gul has participated in several AKF employability and empowerment programmes to grow her business and build her skills. 

Location: Chitral, Pakistan 

Photographer: Daniel Shah

At an event hosted by Sintra City Council, residents of Serra das Minas came together to socialise, celebrate, and share experiences. Serra das Minas is a small town around six kilometres from Sintra in Portugal and is home to a diverse migrant population. The event, which featured musical performances, urban art exhibitions, and a crafts fair with local entrepreneurs, was part of AKF’s project SDM Mais Ação – meaning more action in Serras das Minas – which is supported by Sintra City Council and Rio de Mouro Parish Council. The aim is to promote pluralism and social cohesion and celebrate diversity in the town of Serras das Minas.  

Location: Serra das Minas, Portugal 

Photographer: Rui Gouveia

During a three-day workshop facilitated by AKF and members of civil society organisations, teachers took part in an immersive Values-Based Education (VBE) session. VBE enables participants to explore and reflect on their personal values and biases, their relationships with others, and their position as role models. Through the training, teachers learn to build and nurture more supportive and pluralistic classrooms, where every student can thrive. 

Location: Mombasa, Kenya 

Photographer: Isaac Njagi

At a graduation ceremony in Homs, organised by AKF and its local partner, the Baiti Association, young people celebrated recent education achievements. All are participants of TAMKEEN, an AKF-led adolescent education programme in Syria which aims to enhance access to education, particularly for girls who have dropped out of formal school. The programme provides a safe and interactive learning environment where youth can catch up with their peers, learn new skills, and plan for the future. 

Location: Tartous, Syria 

Photographer: Ali Shaheen

On Mozambique Island, community members are leading mangrove replanting efforts along the shorelines. Mangroves are a critical climate solution in eastern Africa’s coastal areas; they absorb CO2, protect coastlines, uphold fisheries, and even provide new livelihood opportunities. Here, AKF is supporting the Mel do Mar programme – meaning ‘honey from the sea’ – which enables communities to keep bees in the shelter of the mangroves so that they can earn an income from selling honey whilst also protecting mangrove forests. 

Location: Mozambique Island, Mozambique 

Photographer: Lucélio Luciano

In Jalpak-Tash village, the children of a forester play in their garden. With funding from USAID, AKF is supporting rural communities to enhance climate resilience in southern Kyrgyz Republic. By working with foresters and their families, we are revitalising reforestation efforts to protect against landslides, provide fruit harvesting opportunities for households, and promote climate education.

Location: Uzgen district, Kyrgyz Republic 

Photographer: Asylbek Asylkhanov

In northern Pakistan, Imtiaz Ahmed helps his daughter Alina with her schoolwork. Here, mothers usually shoulder this responsibility, but Ahmed is breaking the stereotype. He helps Alina get ready for school, walks her to school every day, and helps her with homework. Ahmed regularly attends parental engagement and networking sessions facilitated by AKF, supported by the Government of Canada. 

Location: Chitral, Pakistan 

Photographer: Daniel Shah

During a Human-Centred Design (HCD) workshop facilitated by AKF, a team of community members – including a teacher, parent, youth, and a community leader – wear glowing smiles as they discuss ideas on how to improve nutrition in local schools. In this district, inadequate school feeding programmes lead to low attendance, and therefore poor performance in the classroom. During the session, six teams devised solutions to this education obstacle, which they are now prototyping across three districts. If they are effective, the teams will receive grants from AKF to scale up their solutions. 

Location: Lindi, Tanzania 

Photographer: Venance Matei