Pronounced EYE-knee, AYNI is a term from the Peruvian Andes that means “sacred reciprocity.”  By fostering interchange between the United States and Afghanistan, AEI creates quality educational opportunities in Afghanistan that empower children and their families to build peaceful, just, and life affirming communities.

Our goal is to continue strengthening the Afghan school system so that it provides quality education to children, particularly in northern Afghanistan; to create educational models, especially in rural areas, which can be reproduced in other war-torn regions; to educate communities in Afghanistan and the U.S. about each other’s cultures, history, religions and values; and to foster interchange. 

Each of AFF/AAFF’s schools in Afghanistan is connected to communities across the United States.  In addition to raising funds, they have participated in cross-cultural exchanges.  And, despite the dangers, a number of individuals, including an elementary school principal and several teachers, have traveled to Afghanistan to visit their sister-schools.