By Molly McCarthy, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Award-winning author Elizabeth Suneby visited the Marguerite E. Peaslee School in Northborough Oct. 7 to talk about her new book “Razia's Ray of Hope: One Girl's Dream of an Education.” Peaselee fourth- and fifth-graders had previously read the book and had a chance to interact with Suneby.
The book is based on a true story of a girl in Afghanistan who desperately wants an education and convinces the men in her family to allow her to attend school. Suneby was inspired to write the book after hearing the founder of the Zabuli Education Center for Girls outside of Kabul, Razia Jan, speak at a fundraiser for the education center.
Suneby asked the Peaslee students to think about
what their life would be like if females were not allowed to be in school. “I hope you appreciate your teachers, your school, and your community,” she told the students. The students discussed differences between their education and education children receive in Afghanistan. Students also discussed ways of advocating for the fundamental human right of education for all children.
“Part of the reason I wrote the book is, I wanted us not to take education for granted. Part of not taking it for granted is advocating,” said Suneby. One student shared she is starting a penny- drive for the cause.
To learn more about Razia Jan's foundation please visit http://www.raziasrayofhope.org
(Photos/Molly McCarthy)