A few of our 2022-2023 Students

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For nearly fifteen years, the Afghan Girls Financial Assistance Fund (AGFAF) has assisted young Afghans in obtaining a high school, college or graduate school education. While the organization was founded to help young women whose education was threatened, in later years it grew to help a small number of young men as well. Most AGFAF students have studied in the United States while some fornerly studied in Afghanistan or neighboring countries. All AGFAF students are committed to gender equality and to helping improve the lives of the Afghan people. 

AGFAF began in 2008 and was granted 501(C)3 status as an independent non-profit organization in 2016. Since its inception, over 100 students have received assistance through AGFAF support and sponsorship. AGFAF currently supports the education of 60 students attending high school, colleges and Universities in the US, Australia, Germany, and Kazakhstan. It has worked directly with college admission staff to find, introduce and support Afghan student education. Those institutions have included Bucknell University, Dickinson College, Drew University, Elon University, Lafayette College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Rutgers University and Trinity College.  

AGFAF representatives work with the admissions offices of boarding schools, colleges and universities to facilitate the completion of our candidates’ applications/portfolios.  While schools and colleges fund tuition, fees, room and board, AGFAF may fund one or more indirect “wrap-around” expenses; e.g., books, health insurance, transportation to the USA, and USA and third country visa fees. Where possible, AGFAF also helps to identify host families to house and support students during vacations. 

AGFAF also provides funding and mentoring for student impact projects developed in response to our students' desires to share their educations with their fellow Afghans - those who do not have the opportunity to travel to the US for their education.  AGFAF students are responsible for developing, managing and completing the projects. Through the process, students acquire real world skills - skills not otherwise gained in a classroom. In combination with their college education, AGFAF students are doubly equipped to change the world.   

Historically, student-led projects (building of school libraries, establishment of nutritional programs to improve maternal and child health, composting, etc.) were all done in Afghanistan. With the fall of the country to the Taliban, the work to improve the lives of the Afghan people has expanded. AGFAF students are aiding Afghan refugees arriving in the US by acting as translators, helping to secure housing and tutoring. They are also conducting virtual classes for girls “left behind” and unable to study in Afghanistan or countries to which they have fled.  By ensuring that impact projects are feasible and sustainable, AGFAF provides long-term impact to the communities and to thousands of Afghans that benefit from these resources.  Each of these projects is designed to educate, empower and elevate.

One recent example is YM. She was awarded major scholarships to both Blair Academy and Bucknell University. She created Afghanistan's first Braille Library for the Blind. YM is now finishing a Master's Degree Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Another is HT. As a high school student in Kabul, she attended one of the libraries AGFAF started in Kabul. She went on to a very special program in Agronomy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Subsequently, she was awarded an outstanding scholarship from Elon University where she is now in her first year.

ZY also attended an AGFAF library in Kabul. When the Taliban took over in August, 2021, she got herself to the airport and, after an arduous process, evacuated to Fort Dix in New Jersey. AGFAF arranged for her release by securing a semester placement for her at the Hun School. Since then, she has received a full scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan where she is enjoying her first year.

HD ran one of the AGFAF libraries in Kabul. She is always working on projects to help Afghans, whether still in Afghanistan or facing difficulties as refugees. She attended and flourished at Trinity College. HD has now started a Master's Program at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Like these and so many other outstanding students AGFAF has already assisted, there are many more qualified students now seeking admission and the necessary financial aid to attend schools and colleges in the United States.  Please consider making a donation to AGFAF today as we ensure that education continues for the women and girls of Afghanistan.