From one Girl's Education...
The Pink Education Foundation began with something deeply personal — my sister. Like many girls in our community, she was suddenly banned from going to school. Watching her dreams shattered overnight, I couldn’t accept that her education should stop there. So, I took matters into my own hands. We started homeschooling her — just one girl, one teacher, one small spark of hope to keep learning alive.
But then a thought struck me: if we could do this for one girl, why not for many more? After all, one teacher can teach fifteen, or even more.
Quietly, I printed special invitations — simple, handwritten notes — and asked my sister to discreetly pass them on to families we trusted. The invitations promised their daughters a chance to study again, and to inspire excitement, we promised a “special gift” for the first ten girls who joined. We prepared books, notebooks, and supplies for about fifteen students, not knowing if anyone would come.
You must understand — it had been nearly four years since any kind of education existed in our area. We weren’t sure if families would even be willing to send their daughters back to school.
...to a Foundation of Hope
Then, on the very first day of enrollment, something incredible happened. Instead of the fifteen girls we expected, almost fifty showed up, eager and hopeful. Some came with their mothers, worried about securing a spot for their daughters. Their eyes shone with the hunger to learn — a hunger that was impossible to ignore.
I couldn’t turn any of them away.
We quickly expanded our classes, found more teachers, and opened our doors wider to welcome every girl who came.
As the program grew, it became clear that education alone wasn’t enough. Many of the girls lacked access to basic health knowledge — vital information about hygiene, nutrition, and self-care that could protect and empower them. So, we introduced health education sessions — safe, respectful spaces where the girls could learn about their wellbeing and build confidence for their futures.
But we didn’t stop there. We realized we needed to understand the bigger picture — the daily struggles Afghan girls and women face. That’s why we began conducting community-based research, listening carefully to the voices of those we serve. These insights have become the foundation of our work, helping us shape programs that truly respond to their needs and dreams.
What started as a small act to save one girl’s education has blossomed into The Pink Education Foundation — a commitment to education, health, and research, driven by the unwavering belief that every Afghan girl deserves hope, opportunity, and a chance to build a better future, no matter the challenges they face.
