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Afghan artist defies all odds - 6th March 2020

Robaba Mohammadi is an artist in Afghanistan. She can’t use her arms or legs and her success is amazing. Life is more difficult for women and disabled people in this country.

Mohammadi wasn’t allowed to go to school. She learned to paint by putting a paintbrush in her mouth. Now 19 years old, Mohammadi paints detailed and colourful pictures. She sells and displays them across the world.

There are 1.5 million people in Afghanistan who have a disability. They get little help and experience lots of discrimination. Mohammadi decided to help and opened a training centre. She trains other disabled people to be artists.

Mohammadi, born disabled, has never used her hands, arms or legs and was stopped from going to school. She wanted to learn and taught herself to paint, read and write. Now, using her tongue, she writes on social media, like any teenager. She enjoys putting on makeup with her friends.