Imagining Tomorrow: Afghan Girls' Education

Dear Friends of Charmaghz,

We have special news to share: as of September, all four of our 2026 programs are officially up and running, with students actively learning in every one. We're on track to reach more than 450 Afghan girls and young women by the end of this year.

One year ago, we had just closed the Mobile Libraries we ran in Kabul for eight years, and our next chapter felt distant and uncertain. Over many months, with the support of donors like you, the wider community, and the dedication of our team, we redesigned our work to keep Afghan girls learning. Thank you for making all of this possible. Here are a few updates from us:

A new chapter

As we've built these programs, one thing has become clear: the need for girls' education in Afghanistan is immense, and every girl who comes to us is at a different point in her learning journey. That's why we designed four distinct programs, each meeting girls where they are. Some of you heard about them in our last update. Now, for the first time, we're excited to introduce all four by name:

• Parkhan (Online Book Clubs): Nurturing the joy of reading, critical thinking, creative writing, and well-being through weekly book clubs guided by female Afghan facilitators.
• Fara (English Program): Building critical English language skills for education and employment through a six-month program that combines self-paced learning with twice-weekly live classes led by volunteer teachers.
• Rasta (Secondary School): Structured academic studies to prepare girls for university, online or abroad, with remedial classes to help students catch up on what they've missed.
• Barna (Entrepreneurship Training): Knowledge and skills for women starting or growing their own businesses, building toward economic independence.

Your impact so far

Since our programs launched, we have received thousands of applications and enrolled more students than we originally planned to meet that demand. Thanks to you, our programs now reach girls in more than 24 provinces across Afghanistan.

Behind every number is a girl, and often a whole family, whose world has grown because of your support. One student in a rural province told our team how she and her two sisters gather around a single phone to join their English class, listening even when the connection breaks. She thanked us for "bringing light into their home." Today, we're passing that thanks on to you, because that light is yours too.

Looking ahead

More than four years have passed since Afghan girls were banned from secondary school, and a growing list of decrees continues to restrict women's access to education, work, and public life. Even so, Afghan girls keep finding ways to learn, and interest in our programs continues to grow.

To reach more girls in 2027, we will soon launch our End of Year Campaign. Throughout our transition, you stood with Afghan girls again and again, and we hope you will join us once more.

We could not have built any of this without you. Thank you for standing with us as we defend girls' education in one of the most challenging contexts on earth.

Forever Grateful,
Charmaghz Team