Purpose and Success
The Afghan Girls Financial Assistance Fund (the “Fund”) was established in 2008 to aid young Afghan women who seek a college education in the United States. The Fund identifies promising young women, matches them with participating educational institutions and American host families and provides financial support to defray expenses not covered by either these institutions or host families. These women often need additional secondary education before starting at a college or university. The Fund also provides assistance at this level.
The women selected by the Fund are not only well qualified, highly motivated and in need of financial assistance, but also are committed to returning home and sharing the benefit of their education to improve conditions in Afghanistan. They share this benefit while back home during the summers and will continue to do so once they return home having completed their US based education. The Fund provides round trip transportation home each summer to allow recipients time with their families, to maintain their cultural ties and to engage in worthwhile projects.
The first Fund recipient is now in her second year of a scholarship at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Previously, she attended Blair Academy, a preparatory school in Blairstown, New Jersey. The second recipient spent most of the academic year 2009-2010 on scholarship at George School, a preparatory school in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and has just returned to Afghanistan.The third recipient will graduate this year from George School and, starting in the fall of 2010, will be a scholarship student at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
The fourth Fund recipient will have a combined Blair Academy -college scholarship beginning in the fall of 2010. The fifth and sixth Fund recipients have each recently been awarded a two year preparatory school scholarship, also beginning in the fall of 2010, to St. Timothy’s School, outside Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, two other young Afghan women, who have completed the first year of two year private school secondary programs in Pennsylvania and Vermont, are being assisted in their educational efforts.
Focus on the Higher Education of Young Afghan Women
In the years of war and rule by the Taliban that followed Russian occupation, opportunities for young Afghan women to receive a higher education were non-existent. In the post Taliban era educational opportunities for women have begun to emerge but many capable and deserving young women still find it impossible to pursue a higher education. The Fund’s goal is to further expand these opportunities The value of providing such assistance goes beyond the life-changing opportunity for these individuals.. It is measured by the profound and lasting impact that educated women have in the growth and development of their country’s future.
While here in the US, the Fund supported young women serve as educators and ambassadors helping their fellow students, teachers and the members of their host communities better understand and appreciate the conditions in Afghanistan. Further , when they communicate with family, friends and acquaintances back home, they bring a new perspective that helps foster mutual understanding and respect.