Stories of empowerment

Read Their Stories

Over the years, we have had many people overcome intense hardship to pursue an educated future full of opportunity and possibility.
Reading about the Afghan widows and children we support is an empowering way to understand how our work and your donations are making a real difference.

SHAMAYEL
Law Student

Shamayel is a young woman from Abdara Village, a rural region in Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan. She is now in her 4th year of Law and Political Science at University. 

Shamayel is from Abdara Village and attended our Girls School in Panjshir Valley up until graduating in 2014. Abdara village is a rural community in Afghanistan, meaning education for women can be even more restricted than other areas of the country. Being the founder of the first girls school in the region, Mahboba’s Promise has a close connection with the community, encouraging families to send their daughters to University. Thanks to many kind supporters, we have been able to fund Shamayel’s Law degree. She is currently working on her Thesis, collecting information about the review of qualifications and duties of the appellate court judicial system of Afghanistan.

“I am so lucky that Mahboba’s Promise generously supports me to become a successful person. I hope to finish my education and become a change-maker in my village.”

Shamayel, you are already a change-maker! We can’t wait to hear about the amazing work she does after graduation.

SHAIMA
Law Student

Shaima is a young women from Kabul Hope House. After loosing her parents at the age of seven, she excelled in school and is now in her 4th year of Law at University.

Early on, Shaima was faced with some difficult family circumstances. Losing her parents at age 7 and later a victim of violence from other family members, Shaima and her older sister were enrolled into Kabul Hope House.

Despite these hardships, Shaima has gone on to study Law and Political Science. She is currently completing her Thesis on Laws against money laundering in the judicial system of Afghanistan.

She also helps out at the Hope House, teaching the children, “I am so happy to help the orphans with English and Islamic studies because these subjects are essential for them.”

We are very impressed by Shaima’s passion and ambition toward her education and the education of others. We are proud to witness the difference she is making for the next generation of Afghan children!

NAZIFA
Law Student

Nazifa is a young women from Kabul Hope House. Facing many hardships as a child, Nazifa has gone on to study Law and Political Science at University. 

Nazifa lost her parents when she was young and later became a victim of violence from another family member. Nazifa is now completing her 4th year of Law and Political Science, working on her Thesis on Children’s Rights in the judicial system of Afghanistan. When she is not at university, she is teaching Mathematics, English and Islamic studies to the children of Kabul Hope House.

“We are so lucky that Mahboba’s promise is supporting us to be leaders in the future. The Hope House is like one big family who are helping me to achieve my goal.”

Thank you, Nazifa, for pathing the way for future generations of Afghan women! We look forward to seeing the good work Nazifa continues to do in the future.

ATIQULLAH
Law Student and Poet

Atiqullah is originally from Raghestan district of Badakhshan Province, but moved to Kabul to get better access to education. He is currently entering his 4th year of Law at University. 

Atiqullah is originally from Raghestan district of Badakhshan Province. Because his family could not afford him to go to school, he came to Kabul and connected with Mahboba’s Promise.


Mahboba’s Promise supported him to finish high school and introduced him to Khorshid University to continue his higher education.

Atiqullah has recently finished his 6th semester of Law.
Atiqullah has developed a fondness towards writing poems. He plans to publish a book of his poems by the name of “Awai-e- Tajik” after finishing his university.


Atiqullah is not only an intelligent student and a great poet, he also contributes to the day-to-day activities of the confectionery shop. 


We wish him more success in his career and are excited to read his book!

MASUDAH
Badakhshan Hope House

Masudah is a young girl from our Badakhshan Hope House. Masudah has been blind her entire life and up until now, has never been given an opportunity to restore her sight.

Masudah is a young girl from our Badakhshan Hope House. Masudah has been blind her entire life and up until now, has never been given an opportunity to restore her sight. In Afghanistan, a lack of healthcare services means that many individuals suffer from curable illnesses and defects their entire life. This disadvantage hinders their ability to be educated, enter the workforce and escape the cycle of poverty.

From a young age, Masudah was deprived of her parent’s love, and after her mother died, was enrolled into Badakhshan Orphanage. Masudah is a gorgeous young girl who welcomes everyone warmly and loves to chat. Thanks to the generous support from our donors, we were recently able to take Masudah to Kabul for corrective eye surgery. The operation was a huge success, with Masudah’s sight now restored. We are so happy to see Masudah smiling and are thankful to the good people who allow these life-changing opportunities to happen.

HAMEED
Photographer

Hameed is a very polite and intelligent young man. Hameed is one of the boys who has grown up at Mahboba’s Promise. In 2014, Hameed was selected as a successful candidate for a Photo and Videography scholarship provided by the Aieena Cultural Organization.

Hameed is one of the boys who has grown up at Mahboba’s Promise. According to Afghan government policy, once children are 18 years old they cannot continue to live in an orphanage, so Mahboba’s Promise has found new off-site accommodation for Hameed and all the other boys who are 17-18 years.

In addition to still attending school, Hameed also helps out in the Mahboba’s Promise Kabul office with administrative and photography tasks.

In early 2014, Hameed was selected as a successful candidate for a Photo and Videography scholarship provided by the Aieena Cultural Organization. He has been attending these classes for four months now. Hameed is using the skills he is learning to perform photography work needed in the office at Mahboba’s Promise office, such as images for reports.

Hameed also organises the Book Club competition that is run at Hope House for the younger orphans.

He says: “The time I passed in Kabul Hope House was the golden one due to the fact that I was given opportunity to study and the ground was prepared for us to develop and be a sound member in our society. My future desire is to complete my education and become a professional photographer and video maker”.

NAJEEBA
Taekwondo Teacher

Najeeba first came to the Hope House with her two brothers when she was eight-years-old. She soon developed a keen interest in Taekwondo. Najeeba has since competed in over 20 matches, placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in most of them. She has won two cups and 19 medals. 

When Najeeba first saw Hope House, she thought it was like a palace! When Najeeba and her brothers first arrived, they were not familiar with many things. But as they’ve grown up, they have learnt.

Life has changed drastically for Najeeba since coming to Hope House. She is now attending school, has a safe place to sleep, and delicious food every day. Najeeba tells us, “For me, all of these things used to be dreams, but Mahboba’s Promise has made them a reality.”

Along with her education, Najeeba started taekwondo at Hope House. She had a very kind and talented teacher, Mrs Laila.

“I have learnt taekwondo well and have achieved my blue belt. I have also participated in 20 matches and placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in most of them, winning two cups and 19 medals.”

Najeeba is now teaching taekwondo to the children at Hope House, which is something she really enjoys.

MAZARI
Tailoring Teacher

Mazari is one of our tailoring course teachers. Mazari first became involed with Mahboba’s Promise as a child, when she was supported as an orphan.

Mazari has participated in earlier courses to learn tailoring skills and is now sharing her skills with other widows and orphans.

Mazari was a child when her father was killed by government criminals. She is a brave orphan girl and a hard worker. She is now managing the tailoring course and teaches the widows to be like her in the future.

 

NAFAS GUL
Business Owner

Before being sponsored, Nafas Gul and her family were living with one of their relatives in a garage. She would move around to live with other people, sometimes paying rent

Before being sponsored, Nafas Gul and her family were living with one of their relatives in a garage. She would move around to live with other people, sometimes paying rent and other times living there rent-free. Her life with her children was filled with sorrow and grief. She came to Mahboba’s Promise in 2004 with one of her four children seeking medical attention.

In 2007, Nafas Gul started helping part-time in Kabul Hope House and began attending literacy classes. Thanks to sponsorship she has been able to send her children to school.

Through the support of Mahboba’s Promise, one of Nafas Gul’s daughters was able to study Computer Science at University. Her other children have been able to complete high school, which would not have been possible without sponsorship support.

To help ensure her daughter was able to stay at university, Nafas Gul participated in a tailoring course at Mahboba’s Promise.

In 2012 Nafas Gul said: “I was born in Panjshir province. After my husband was killed in the war 1997 by the Taliban, we came to Kabul. I was 17 years old when I got married. I have 3 children. Now I am a tailor but the money I earn I use for my children’s education. We have access to water. I have diabetes and need Mahboba’s Promise to go to a good hospital for treatment and pay the expenses. My wish is that my children be educated well and help other people. By the help of Mahboba’s Promise I have learnt tailoring at the tailoring project and I have tailoring shop at my house. By tailoring I manage my life and my children. Thanks for your support.”


Nafas Gul has since become really talented at tailoring. By learning tailoring skills at Hope House she now has her own shop and makes beautiful dresses for women. At first, Nafas Gul was able to pay for her children’s education and medical expenses but needed help to pay for her groceries.

Nafas Gul is now fully self-sufficient and no longer needs the support of Mahboba’s Promise. She has been so grateful for the support of her sponsors and is happy to have a brighter future as an independent woman with educated children.