From Selling Corn on the Streets to Kabul Medical School

Economic hardship, unemployment, and poverty have deprived thousands of young people of access to education. But Shahbaz Safi, a 24-year-old Afghan youth, stood tall in the face of all these challenges and successfully gained admission to the General Medicine Faculty of Kabul University by scoring 346 marks in this year’s national entrance exam (Kankor).

Originally from Nurgal district in Kunar province, Shahbaz has been living in a rented house with his family in the Kampani area of Kabul for several years. To support his family, he sold corn from a handcart on the streets.

“My family is poor. I graduated from high school under extremely difficult financial conditions,” he said. “During the day, I used to sell corn from my cart and read books whenever I could. When the Kankor results were announced and I found out that I got accepted into the medical program, I was overjoyed.”

Shahbaz believes that if someone truly has the will, nothing can stand in the way of their education. He says this achievement has strengthened his determination even more, and now he’s more motivated than ever to continue his academic journey.

“I endured a lot,” he adds. “I worked as a laborer, pushed a cart, and recently began selling corn. Even though our financial situation was difficult and I worked long days in the city, I never gave up. I faced every challenge head-on.”

Shahbaz credits the unwavering support of his parents—especially his mother and father—for his success. He says that despite their struggles, they constantly encouraged him to keep studying.

“Although my family faced serious financial problems, my parents always told me not to give up and to continue my education. Their support gave me the strength and opportunity to succeed in the field of my choice,” he said.

Mirzaman Khan, Shahbaz’s father, is overwhelmed with joy at his son’s success. Though he himself never had the chance to pursue education, he hopes that all young people in the country will study and contribute to the nation’s progress.

“When I heard that my son got into the medical faculty, I cried tears of joy,” he said. “I knew how much he had suffered and worked for this. I thanked God that he succeeded.”

Despite working long hours in harsh conditions, Shahbaz kept studying by night, clinging to the hope of a brighter future. He says he always knew the path would be difficult, but he was determined to continue—for the sake of his dreams and to support his family.

While Shahbaz’s story is deeply inspiring, it also highlights a painful reality: for the third consecutive year, girls in Afghanistan were barred from participating in the national Kankor exam. Despite having the talent and passion to pursue higher education, many girls are being denied this opportunity due to the current restrictions. This exclusion not only harms their individual futures but also poses long-term consequences for the development and progress of Afghan society as a whole.