Category: News

Sahar translates into ‘a new day’ in Farsi and indeed yesterday was a new day in the United States. We celebrate the inauguration of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The ascension of the first woman vice president, the first Indian and African-American woman to the second highest seat in the land, is a moment of victory for all – including immigrants and those who have suffered mightily and even died for equality.

Notably, among the first Presidential actions was to sign an executive order reversing the Muslim ban. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to champion girls’ rights!

Dear Friends of Sahar,

Our world has suffered immeasurably this past year. Just as the holidays arrive, many families remain separated from one another because of COVID-19. And yet, at the same time, we’ve all learned how to cope with this new normal, defined by uncertainties, zoom sessions, WhatsApp groups, masks, and social distancing. For Sahar, the impacts of COVID-19, the Afghan-Taliban negotiations, and the U.S. troop drawdown have amplified our resilience. Of course, resiliency has been part of Sahar’s story since the beginning.  

It is under these conditions that Sahar celebrates its 20th year of providing education to Afghan girls. Among our many accomplishments, we have delivered innovative gender equity programs to over 250,000 girls and their families, built or repaired 18 public schools, and educated 850 female teachers. Recently, we expanded our work to include engaging men and boys as gender allies. Our programs and schools create safe spaces for girls to study, play, and learn skills for the future, while also fostering peace among families and reducing the dire conditions of poverty.  

For 20 years, we have witnessed the hardships and trauma that endure within families and their communities after decades of war. Throughout it all, we find light and reasons to continue fighting—for gender equity, peace in Afghanistan, and a world where all girls can go to school.  

Sahar looks forward to shaping the lives of another 250,000 girls over the next 20 years. We will continue to build schools, provide educational opportunities to Afghan communities, and champion girls’ rights. Your conviction to promote a better world where all girls can study and reach for their dreams sustains our work in Afghanistan. Thank you. 

Happy Holidays from our family to yours. May the coming year be filled with light and hope of better things to come for our families, Afghanistan, and the world at large. 

Ginna Brelsford                                            Catherine Gelband 

Executive Director                                        Board President 

Sahar is pleased to announce that WomenStrong International has awarded us with a two-year
grant (2020-2022) to support Men as Partners in Change (MPC) as part of their innovative
Learning Lab in Girls’ Education and Empowerment (GEE).

WomenStrong finds, funds, strengthens, and shares women-driven solutions to transform lives.
WomenStrong brings together these organizations to learn and share through Learning Labs. In
these Labs, members explore their areas of work by looking to alternative intervention models,
existing academic research, and replicable practitioner approaches.

Sahar is excited to continue growing as part of the GEE Learning Lab, which focuses on how to
keep girls in school and prepare them with the tools and resources they need to live dignified and
peaceful lives. The GEE Learning Lab also works to understand how best to engage boys and
men as partners in girls’ empowerment, a central component of our MPC program.

Despite a challenging year due to COVID-19, the MPC pilot project – also supported by
WomenStrong – proved to be an incredibly valuable program for the communities with which
we work in Mazar-e-Sharif. “I learned by rights and, at the same time, women’s rights. I
understand that human rights are not restricted to men but for all human beings,” says Yasir
Walizadah, an MPC Trainee who did his training entirely remotely earlier this year.

We are grateful to WomenStrong for their continued support and look forward to continuing the
MPC program as we work to promote girls’ education, rights, and empowerment in Afghanistan.

We are so excited to share that we have been awarded a grant from the International Foundation Grant to help fund our Men as Partners in Change Program! We are so grateful for the opportunity to continue working with the male members of the communities in semi-urban communities throughout Balkh Province.

Hear from a graduate of our successful pilot program about the positive impact the program had on his life.

Sahar’s Afghan Enrichment And Fellowship Program

Sahar’s year long Enrichment and Fellowship Program accepts applicants who have Afghan background and family heritage. The ideal candidate will bring excellent research and writing, public speaking and presentation, fundraising, curriculum development, and communication skills. A strong aptitude for organization is required. Non-profit experience and technical skills are a plus.

If your answer is yes to the following question then Sahar is looking for you!

1. Are you passionate about girls education in Afghanistan?
2. Do you know about Afghan culture, history, and people?
3. Are you driven to bring positive changes to girls life in Afghanistan?
4. Do you love networking and public speaking?

“The most rewarding part of my job is that I get a chance to contribute in bringing positive changes in the lives of girls and work towards girls empowerment.” -Sapida, Current Afghan Fellow

The Opportunity:

This 40 hrs/week position offers flexibility in a growing organization with high impact in the international arena. Sahar provides a small, entrepreneurial environment that has lots of room for making a contribution while learning about organizational development, non-profit management and girls’ empowerment. 

This opportunity is  a great stepping stone for individuals who are starting out in their career, due to its versatility. “The Fellow will assist with program evaluation work and writing blog posts to give cultural context to Sahar’s work, raise awareness about Afghanistan, girls’ and women’s issues and the beneficiaries of Sahar’s programs. The Fellow will provide content expertise and input for newsletters, assist with grant writing and reporting – particularly in our Early Marriage Prevention Program, Digital Literacy programs, Teacher Training and input design work on a girls’ boarding school.

The Fellow will be responsible for speaking at events and to board members and working with schoolchildren to raise awareness about critical issues in Afghanistan related to empowering girls to access education. This requires liaising with Sahar’s Afghan team, Seattle team and regular social media updates and strategies.” This fellowship is a great gateway  to enhance your skills, capacity, and build your career. 

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate will bring excellent research and writing, public speaking and presentation, fundraising, curriculum development, and communication skills. A strong aptitude for organization is required. Non-profit experience and technical skills are a plus. Afghan women nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Job Description: 

The fellowship will include, but is not limited to: grant writing and reporting, content creation, research, community engagement, social media, fundraising, communicating with Sahar’s Afghan team, and program direction of Sahar’s Early Marriage Prevention Program. Through this work the fellow will bring a cultural lens to all of Sahar’s programs and organizational activities. 

Fellowship Timeline: July/August 1st, 2020 until May/June 30th, 2021. 

Contact: Please send us your resume and cover letter at info info@sahareducation.org cc ginnab@sahareducation.org. In your cover letter, please be sure to answer the question “Why do you want to work at Sahar?” We will reach out if candidate is selected to interview.

Apply by Friday, March 13, 2020

Fellowship Job Description