At home in Kabul, Hawa is sitting by the window reading a book.
Like many other young Afghan women, the 20-year-old would rather be back in college.
She actually studies Russian literature there.
But since the Taliban returned to power, young girls have been barred from pursuing any further education after primary school.
Hawa is frustrated and angry: "I'm not made to sit at home.
If we can feed children, then we can also provide for entire families.
At the moment I see my dreams fading away.” At home she spends her time painting, reading or helping around the house.
Most public schools and universities are not functioning right now.
However, the Taliban leadership promises an education system, including for women, once this is brought into line with Islamic law.
So far this has not happened and many remain skeptical, given that during the Taliban's last term of office between 1996 and 2001, girls and women were completely banned from school and paid work.
Across town, Sahar is also trapped at home.
The 17-year-old actually wants to be an engineer and is currently learning as much as she can at home via the Internet.
"When my brother and little sister come home from school every day, they talk about their classmates and their classes.
It makes me sad that I can no longer go to school myself.” But she regularly helps them with their homework.
Her sister Hadia is ten and she too is noticing the change.
Many of their teachers and classmates are no longer there, presumably because they fled when the Taliban took power.
Even at her young age, she sees the difficulties ahead: “I'm in fourth grade and I'd like to be a doctor.
But in two years I won't be allowed to continue school.
And,
like my sister, this dream will not come true.
That scares me already.”