What we do

“Sahar partners with grassroots, locally-based organizations to create educational opportunities and safe learning spaces for girls and women in Afghanistan, empowering and inspiring children and their families to build peaceful, thriving communities.”

Meetra Alokozay, Executive Director

More Afghan Girls in Schools

Afghan girls and their families demanded greater access to education in their worn-torn country. After the removal of the first Taliban rule, millions of children entered the school system—many for the first time. Girls were still substantially under-represented among the students flooding the Afghanistan education system. Unfortunately, after the Taliban takeover, girls are once again deprived of secondary education increasing the existing large gaps. Sahar continues to work to close those gaps and get more girls into education programs.

Improving Afghan School Capacity

One of the largest problems facing Afghan students from 2001 to 2021, was the lack of schools. In Mazar city center, where we concentrated our work, thousands of children attended schools built for just a few hundred students. For girls, there weren’t enough high schools. Many of the girls who began school in 2002 (Post-Taliban) started at the first-grade level. The Afghan Ministry of Education couldn’t keep up with demand. Sahar-funded projects help meet this need.

Over 250,000 girls have been educated thanks to Sahar school programs during this timeframe.

Training Teachers

Training teachers, especially women, is an integral part of providing access to education for all girls in Afghanistan. The Afghan teacher training centers funded and managed by Sahar taught several hundred rural teachers the fundamentals of teaching. We focused specifically on training teachers at rural girls’ schools, where it is most difficult for girls to get to school.

Currently, our IT and Coding courses help girls and women learn essential skills which can be applied to teach others in their local communities. Due to the Taliban ban on education above grade 6, our training centers are not currently in use.

Improving Digital Literacy

Sahar’s Digital Literacy Program opens doors to higher education and job skills through technology for girls in Afghanistan. Sahar provides the only computer lab for public elementary or high school girls in the areas where we work. Today, Sahar operates three computer centers in several of our schools in rural and urban areas, serving 1,500 girls each year.

Additionally, we operate multiple underground coding classes out of teachers’ homes which teach girls the fundamentals of IT and more in-depth design principles which can lead to future opportunities.

25 Schools
Built, Repaired, and/or Supplied

Over 23,000
Sahar Girls Served Annually

Over 250,000
Sahar-educated Girls Total

Our Programs

Access to Education

Sahar built and remodeled schools to get more girls in classrooms. Learn more.

Inspiring School Design

Sahar designed school buildings that delivered dignity, improved health and well-being, and had the greatest positive impact in the communities we serve. Learn more.

Digital Literacy

Sahar’s Computer Literacy Program is opening doors to higher education and job skills through technology for girls in Afghanistan. Learn more.

Teacher Training

Sahar trained teachers, especially women, as an integral part of providing access to education for all girls in Afghanistan. Learn more.

Early Marriage Prevention

While more girls were entering high school in Afghanistan, early marriage prevented many girls from graduating. Sahar worked to break down that barrier and help girls pursue their educational goals. Learn more.

Men as Partners in Change

In order to move forward towards achieving better health and education outcomes, we must work together, allying with men and creating communities that recognize the value of both genders. Learn more.

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