The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

The life Kamila Sidiqi had known changed overnight when the Taliban seized control of Kabul. After receiving a teaching degree during the civil war, Kamila was subsequently banned from school and confined to her home. When her father and brother were forced to flee the city, Kamila became the sole breadwinner for her five siblings. Armed only with grit and determination, she picked up a needle and thread and created a thriving business of her own.

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana moves beyond the headlines to transport students to an Afghanistan they have never seen before. This is a story of war, but it is also a story of sisterhood and resilience in the face of despair. Kamila Sidiqi’s journey will inspire your students, but it will also change the way they think about one of the most important political and humanitarian issues of our time.

Freshman Common Read: Brenau University