Afghan girls win honour at robotics festival

The largest festival of its kind in the U.K. attracts bright minds and ideas

LONDON — A group of Afghan girls have taken home a top prize at Robotex 2017, Europe’s biggest robotics festival, which was expected to draw 15,000 attendees this year.

The team’s solar-powered robot, designed to help farmers seed and cut crops, among other tasks, won the Entrepreneurial Challenge, reports Afghanistan’s embassy in London. “They are an excellent example for people around the world of what can be accomplished by young Afghans if given the right support and the opportunity to excel in their education,” Said Tayeb Jawad, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the U.K., said in a statement sent to the Thomson Reuters Foundation News.

The Entrepreneurial Challenge is a new competition at the festival. It’s geared toward showcasing robotics that solve real-world problems and are accessible for customers to purchase.

The girls won a small cash prize and have been invited to a larger event in the U.S. this spring, where they will compete for funds to jumpstart their own business. [news.trust.org]

Christian Children’s Fund of Canada commends the girls who exemplify our dream to live in a world where all children and youth have the chance to realize their full potential.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

 

About Inspiring Stories

May 2025

Canada’s Opportunity to Lead: Education as a Path ...

As the G7 Summit approaches, Children Believe CEO Fred Witteveen calls on Canada to lead the world in supporting 12 years of quality education for all children—because education is key to global peace and prosperity.

May 2025

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025

A new government program in Ghana is providing free sanitary pads to help girls stay in school. Learn how Children Believe is supporting this initiative to break down barriers and fight period poverty.

May 2025

From Despair to a New Dawn Varalakshmi’s Story of ...

A moving story of resilience—learn how Varalakshmi overcame poverty, loss and stigma to build a better life for her children with the support of Children Believe and its local partner in India.