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Unveiled Truth: Lessons I Learned Leading the International School of Kabul
What Woman Would Willingly Move to Afghanistan?
No woman in her right mind would choose to live in war-ravaged, male-dominated Afghanistan unless she had the golden opportunity to lead the best school in the country.
In 2005, following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Gail Goolsby reluctantly found herself the founding principal of the International School of Kabul in Afghanistan. The how, when, and why make for a captivating and insightful story.
Unveiled Truth pulls back the curtain of distant cultures and reveals the challenge of overseas living. With humor and transparency, Gail shares dramatic scenes from her seven years in Kabul and unveils the lessons she learned. Mortar blasts, campus lockdowns, work disputes, cultural restrictions, and the lack of daily conveniences are some of the many challenges she faced. Though her time in Afghanistan proved difficult, Gail chose to stay, hoping to improve the lives of young people caught up in a treacherous world.
In this book, Gail encourages us to view Afghan culture in a new light, teaches us what she learned about responding to personal failures and relational difficulties, and inspires us to give of ourselves, so that in the process, we too can be irrevocably changed, just as Kabul forever changed her for the better.
No woman in her right mind would choose to live in war-ravaged, male-dominated Afghanistan unless she had the golden opportunity to lead the best school in the country.
In 2005, following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Gail Goolsby reluctantly found herself the founding principal of the International School of Kabul in Afghanistan. The how, when, and why make for a captivating and insightful story.
Unveiled Truth pulls back the curtain of distant cultures and reveals the challenge of overseas living. With humor and transparency, Gail shares dramatic scenes from her seven years in Kabul and unveils the lessons she learned. Mortar blasts, campus lockdowns, work disputes, cultural restrictions, and the lack of daily conveniences are some of the many challenges she faced. Though her time in Afghanistan proved difficult, Gail chose to stay, hoping to improve the lives of young people caught up in a treacherous world.
In this book, Gail encourages us to view Afghan culture in a new light, teaches us what she learned about responding to personal failures and relational difficulties, and inspires us to give of ourselves, so that in the process, we too can be irrevocably changed, just as Kabul forever changed her for the better.
- GenresMemoir
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2019
23 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 23, 2021
Gail Goolsby is a committed Protestant Christian, not my usual choice of author. But I wanted to read about founding a school for children in Afghanistan, so I read this book and am glad I did. She was first principal of the International School of Kabul and was responsible for setting it up. The school shut downa a few years ago, but it sounds like a fine project. The teachers did not try to convert the children to Christianity, which would not have been acceptable to the government or the parents.
It was a private, co-ed school. The student body was two-thirds boys because many parents did not want to spend the money to educate their daughters as well as their sons.
Goolsby initially didn't want to go to Afghanistan. Her husband, also a Christian activist, was the first to want to work there. She didn't like the idea of living for several years in a society where women were so severely subordinated, but when she obtained the position as principal she undertook the job seriously.
She and her husband had to learn to deal with many cultural differences, but their Afghan staff was efficient, friendly, and helpful. The security problems they and the entire school faced were staggering.
I found this a detailed account of what it was like to be a westerner trying to be useful in Afghanistan. I learned from that. I skipped some of Goolsby's rather prayerful descriptions of what she had learned, but I'm glad I didn't let my biases prevent me from reading the book.
It was a private, co-ed school. The student body was two-thirds boys because many parents did not want to spend the money to educate their daughters as well as their sons.
Goolsby initially didn't want to go to Afghanistan. Her husband, also a Christian activist, was the first to want to work there. She didn't like the idea of living for several years in a society where women were so severely subordinated, but when she obtained the position as principal she undertook the job seriously.
She and her husband had to learn to deal with many cultural differences, but their Afghan staff was efficient, friendly, and helpful. The security problems they and the entire school faced were staggering.
I found this a detailed account of what it was like to be a westerner trying to be useful in Afghanistan. I learned from that. I skipped some of Goolsby's rather prayerful descriptions of what she had learned, but I'm glad I didn't let my biases prevent me from reading the book.
January 20, 2020
Unveiled Truth: Lessons I Learned Leading the International School of Kabul
by Gail Goolsby
This is the true story of Michael and Gail Goolsby's calling to Afghanistan in the years 2005-2012. Michael was anxious to go and serve however he could. Gail was a little more apprehensive. But when God calls...you know to listen.
It was a time she'll never forget. Where she was stretched beyond what she thought she was capable of. We think of this war-torn country and the dangers, but through her book...it reminded me of our freedoms as Americans.
The thought of not being able to go in public without a male chaperone. Not to go out with your head...or entire body...not covered. I can't imagine. Living in the Southwest, I mostly live in shorts and tank tops so that really struck me. Not sure I could do it.
I'm not a traveler, so I enjoy the books where I can see the world through the eyes of those who travel and this book was vivid enough to see and feel Kabul. And for my heart to hurt for those who live each day being used to war. Common to lose family and friends senselessly.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
by Gail Goolsby
This is the true story of Michael and Gail Goolsby's calling to Afghanistan in the years 2005-2012. Michael was anxious to go and serve however he could. Gail was a little more apprehensive. But when God calls...you know to listen.
It was a time she'll never forget. Where she was stretched beyond what she thought she was capable of. We think of this war-torn country and the dangers, but through her book...it reminded me of our freedoms as Americans.
The thought of not being able to go in public without a male chaperone. Not to go out with your head...or entire body...not covered. I can't imagine. Living in the Southwest, I mostly live in shorts and tank tops so that really struck me. Not sure I could do it.
I'm not a traveler, so I enjoy the books where I can see the world through the eyes of those who travel and this book was vivid enough to see and feel Kabul. And for my heart to hurt for those who live each day being used to war. Common to lose family and friends senselessly.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
February 15, 2021
This book makes me stop and be grateful for not living in Afghanistan. The everyday luxuries i.e. drinkable water that comes out of a faucet or fresh produce, air conditioning, shorts, scarves only in winter and much more kind of go out the window when living in a war torn country.
Then you had to put up with men openly staring and treating you like a second or third or lower citizen? Okay, so that one still happens in this country.
I am not sure, okay I am sure that there is no way I could let slide what that second boss did to her. Kudos for working through it, but it should never had been. In a way, he was way worse in his male privilege narcissistic behavior than the openly staring guys.
I love the way she ends the chapters. The question challenges the reader to look into their own life and live well.....
A book that I will recommend for sure.
Then you had to put up with men openly staring and treating you like a second or third or lower citizen? Okay, so that one still happens in this country.
I am not sure, okay I am sure that there is no way I could let slide what that second boss did to her. Kudos for working through it, but it should never had been. In a way, he was way worse in his male privilege narcissistic behavior than the openly staring guys.
I love the way she ends the chapters. The question challenges the reader to look into their own life and live well.....
A book that I will recommend for sure.
July 11, 2020
Great Read
As a Christian and retired teacher whose son did a tour of duty in Afghanistan , I found this memoir fascinating. The challenges the author would face leading a school in a foreign country compelled me to begin reading, but her ability to use her counseling insight to examine difficult situations and accept blame when warranted kept me turning pages. Goolsby honestly shared her human weaknesses throughout her journey, but she consistently turned to her faith in God when she forgave herself and others. I highly recommend this book.
As a Christian and retired teacher whose son did a tour of duty in Afghanistan , I found this memoir fascinating. The challenges the author would face leading a school in a foreign country compelled me to begin reading, but her ability to use her counseling insight to examine difficult situations and accept blame when warranted kept me turning pages. Goolsby honestly shared her human weaknesses throughout her journey, but she consistently turned to her faith in God when she forgave herself and others. I highly recommend this book.
December 29, 2020
An enjoyable and thoroughly engaging read. Very honestly written about the author's time as a principal in an international setting. Goolsby was the guest speaker for our November DKG Kappa Chapter meeting. It will be interesting to consider the ways in which other chapter members respond to both her experiences and the questions that she poses for readers. We've selected this book for an all chapter read in February.
November 30, 2023
This is a memoir of the author's time in Afghanistan as the Principal of the International School of Kabul, which is now closed. She wrote the chapters with a note at the end of each one, stating the lessons she had learned. This was a Christian mission school but without trying to convert anyone, and she had many female students, not always popular.
December 28, 2019
A great book! Thank you for writing it, Mrs. Goolsby. Your leadership and management in ISK was exemplary. I am fortunate to have graduated from ISK while it was under your wings.
June 25, 2020
An absolute must-read for anyone in education or in missions/missionary work. It's a compelling real story that digs deep into your faith and strength to follow God's will. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews