Stevenage doctor Karen Woo was passionate about supporting disadvantaged women and children in Afghanistan
- Credit: Archant
More than a decade after being fatally shot by Taliban while delivering aid in Afghanistan, an inspirational doctor is still helping to support disadvantaged children in the war-torn country, through the legacy she has left.
Karen Woo, who grew up in Stevenage and attended The Barclay School, was shot dead in August 2010 while on a trip with charity International Assistance Mission to reach villagers in desperate need of medical help.
She was killed along with nine others of the mostly American team, two weeks before she was due to get married.
More than 17% of Afghan children have a mild, moderate or severe disability, but stigma and resistance from schools to accept them means most have not been able to receive an education, according to the Asia Foundation. Children with the most severe difficulties are often neglected at home or left abandoned and uncared for.
Fatima Khalil school opened its doors in December and is now offering a safe environment for children who routinely face rejection. The tuition-free institute hopes to normalise special needs in the war-torn country, where almost 80% of adults have some form of impairment.
Each classroom is decorated with children’s paintings and filled with toys, schoolbooks and soft carpets. Children who live with all kinds of disabilities are placed in a grade depending on their level of ability and the amount of support they need.