Afghanistan Winter Relief Campaign 2021
Already reeling from multiple crises, Afghanistan faced a humanitarian catastrophe during winter 2021. A crippling drought had significantly worsened food insecurity, which put more than half of the population, or nearly 23 million people, according to the UN, at risk of starvation. And with many internally displaced people living in abject poverty in flimsy makeshift camps, the freezing temperatures and unsanitary conditions have made those places a perfect breeding ground for diseases. This has compounded a dire situation, especially for millions of malnourished children who were the most susceptible.
To help relieve some of the suffering of the most vulnerable Afghans this past winter and to help prevent illness or death, particularly of children, HRF and TCOW teamed up once again to lend a hand.
Thanks to a generous outpouring of support from our donors, we raised over $57,000. We are filled with gratitude and want to let you know that your contributions allowed us to provide life-saving food packages and other essentials in a series of distributions to children and families faced with starvation across Afghanistan. All of the funds raised went directly toward this effort.
Fall 2021 Update
While primary schools across Afghanistan will be closed for an extended winter break, it’s with a heavy heart we announce that we are moving the Homaira Rahman School from its current location in the Parwan 3 district of Kabul. The school opened in September 2013 to serve boys and girls in grades 1-6. We began with 50 students the first year and expanded to 100 students in subsequent years. We would like to thank our supporters for keeping our school afloat for 8 years. The facility was situated in a safe and quiet neighborhood and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to operate in that setting. We reopened the school briefly this year from April to May 2021 after a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic and paid rent through November 2021 despite the school closure. Unfortunately, we were not able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the building owners and have vacated the premises. We hope to reopen the doors of the school in a different location in the summer of 2022, retaining our dedicated staff, and will work assiduously toward that goal during the winter.
As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan deepens, we’ve stepped up our efforts to help the most needy by mounting a joint winter relief fundraiser on GoFundMe with The Children of War (TCOW). This is a separate fundraiser from our extremely successful joint effort with TCOW in the summer of 2021 which raised $133,156, and started just before the collapse of the government in Kabul when instability and conflict created a massive internal displacement of people across the country. That fundraiser lasted for two and a half months, and we were able to complete 15 emergency relief distributions in various locations across the country, helping thousands of people in distress. Our winter fundraiser is ongoing and to date we have completed 3 distributions, delivering food and other vital life-saving supplies to hundreds of vulnerable families. On November 30th, Giving Tuesday – a day for collective action – we made an online appeal to the broader public and raised over $6,000, which will go toward our winter relief drive.
In addition, we recently sent financial assistance to Sana Orphanage in Kandahar and to the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA) in Kabul to help purchase food and essential supplies for the children in their care.
A severe cash shortage has crippled Afghanistan’s economy and has left many aid organizations struggling to find funds inside the country to help a population on the brink of starvation, so we are enormously grateful for the opportunity to reach so many people in urgent need of assistance. We couldn’t possibly overcome some of these challenges without an incredibly resourceful and dedicated team on the ground who ensure that your donations provide immediate relief in this time of crisis. We want to express our continued gratitude to our compassionate supporters for their generosity and encouragement.
Summer 2021 News
After a lengthy hiatus due to Covid-19, the Homaira Rahman School resumed classes briefly from April to May 2021 before another outbreak forced us to suspend operations indefinitely. We hope to reopen the school in the near future (grades 1-6). We will be giving our staff a stipend during the school closure so that they have some means to sustain themselves and their families until the situation in the country stabilizes somewhat. We’ll keep you informed of any new developments. Because our focus has shifted temporarily to the enormous humanitarian crisis that has engulfed Afghanistan, with continued drought, famine, food shortages and Covid outbreaks, most of your recurring donations (monthly, yearly) will go towards that herculean effort.
At the end of July 2021, before the collapse of the government in Kabul, HRF and The Children of War (TCOW) launched a joint Gofundme campaign to help internally displaced families in Afghanistan fleeing escalating violence throughout the country. Within a few days, thanks to our tireless and dedicated team on the ground, we completed our first successful distribution, delivering dried milk for children, flour, rice, cooking oil, sugar, tea, and pressure cookers with portable gas stoves for cooking to needy families from Kunduz who had recently arrived in Kabul. Our second distribution followed shortly thereafter, providing similar essential items to 30 displaced families in the Baharak district of Takhar province. Due to the ongoing violence at the time and for the safety of the team, the distributions were cautiously coordinated in various locations and with smaller groups. We were able to complete a couple more distributions helping over two hundred displaced families, distributing basic necessities such as flour, milk, milk bottles, diapers, shampoo, bottled war, cookies, toilet paper, sanitary products for females, etc.
Then, in the middle of August 2021, the Afghan government fell swiftly, leaving the weary population utterly helpless and even more vulnerable. The banks and businesses quickly closed, bringing the economy and the country to a standstill. Fortunately, a substantial amount of funds had been transferred to our team in Afghanistan prior to the bank closures. This allowed them to purchase items and proceed with relief efforts. Hot meals were prepared and delivered to some of the most needy individuals in Kabul where food insecurity and hunger persist. We are grateful for our courageous team who work hard on a daily basis among many challenges on the ground. And thanks to a massive outpouring of generosity from our supporters, without whom none of this would be possible, we were able to continue our distributions, which have reached a total of twelve as of September 13. We also chartered a bus in Kabul for 10 displaced families who were stranded there and helped them go back to their homes in Kunduz. All of their transportation costs were covered and other expenses as well. Your contributions have enabled us to respond quickly and efficiently where needs are greatest and have brought hope and comfort to thousands of lives that have been upended by both natural and man-made disasters.
We will continue to support the orphans of Afghanistan as we always have. For Eid al-Adha, we extended financial assistance to Sana Orphanage to help purchase extra supplies/food in case of an emergency during these turbulent times. We also helped vulnerable individuals cope with the surge in Covid-19 cases in Afghanistan amid ongoing violence by purchasing and distributed soap to 650 needy families, including OWA students and staff and widows, living in 4 camps around Kabul.
The HRF team offers its heartfelt thanks to our supporters and partners for their unparalleled kindness and generosity, which has provided a critical lifeline to the people of Afghanistan who have suffered so much for so long and who need our help now more than ever.
Spring 2021 – The Homaira Rahman School Reopens!
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to announce that the Homaira Rahman School reopened Saturday, April 3, 2021 after a year of closure due to COVID-19. Our students and staff are eager to resume classes and we are committed to are opening that will ensure their safety and well-being.
The pandemic has wreaked unprecedented havoc on education worldwide with major disruptions; but vulnerable children in the poorest countries, like Afghanistan, have suffered the most.
Addressing the needs of those students while operating in a fluid environment has been challenging over the years. However, through it all, your dedication and concern have been an incredible source of encouragement and support. With your help, we have been able to provide a safe and enabling learning and teaching environment for our boys and girls and their instructors. Allowing these students in Afghanistan to have equitable access to a quality education will transform their lives and their communities.
Your generosity has equipped our students with books, school supplies, clothing, food, and other essentials. And up until now, we were lucky enough to operate our school without having to pay rent for the use of the building. Circumstances have changed, however, and we have recently been informed that we will need to pay a monthly rent going forward – adding to our yearly expenses. Fortunately we were able to negotiate a significant reduction in rent ($500/month), which will allow us to remain in a facility, and a safe neighborhood, that has served us and our students so well for many years.
This is great news. It allows us to enter another school year with renewed optimism and a sense of joy in familiar surroundings. We are excited about the opportunity once again to serve and assist our students!
Winter 2020 Update
As another cold winter had settled over Afghanistan, with the pandemic still raging and violence continuing unabated, the people are struggling amid multiple crises. There is an overall shortage of food, fuel and other critical supplies. Facing severe economic distress, the poorest and most vulnerable Afghans, who compromise a significant portion of the population, are forced to work in extremely difficult and risky conditions in order to survive. Their livelihoods have been impacted greatly. HRF has always strived to meet people’s basic needs in such times.
This year, with your generous donations, we purchased warm coats and boots for 100 orphaned children at the Orphans & Widows Association, our partner organization, to help them cope with the cold months ahead in Kabul. In addition, cash gifts were provided to the HRF and OWA staffs. On February 14th and 16th, TCOW and HRF jointly distributed emergency food supplies (five items) and some clothing for children to over 100 families living in two camps in Kabul. In addition, cash gifts were provided to approximately 40 families with disabled children to help them make it through the COVID-19 winter.
In December 2020 we were very excited to see a brand-new solar panel system installed at Sana Orphanage in Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was desperately needed. It will provide electricity day and night, uninterrupted, for 40 students who live at the orphanage. HRF purchased this system thanks to your generous donations during our #GivingTuesday campaign. Thank you for bringing light and warmth to the lives of these precious children! This will allow them to study in a comfortable environment, have access to many resources and advance their education.
Additionally, we’re still sponsoring orphaned students at ROYA (Resources of Young Afghans). We receive regular reports on their progress of these kids who seem to be flourishing in the classroom.
We look forward to classes resuming at the Homaira Rahman School in the spring. We realize that this unpredictable pandemic has taken a heavy toll on education across the world and exposed global inequalities in education and stark differences. But we also recognize that we can overcome some of these challenges by standing with other like-minded organizations and people working for a more equitable, sustainable and just world. It’s within the context of these relationships and partnerships that we can create opportunities for the forgotten children of Afghanistan and put them on paths to brighter futures.
Fall 2020 News
Although schools in Afghanistan have recently reopened after months of coronavirus-forced closures, we have decided not to resume classes at the Homaira Rahman School in Kabul during what would be a very shortened school year (winter break will begin in late December and last until late March, as usual). The logistical challenges related to identifying and vetting the most vulnerable children for admittance to our school – something we devote a lot of time and energy to – while at the same ensuring their safety and well-being with the virus still not completely under control, make it extremely difficult for us to open our doors to students in 2020. We fully intend to start classes in the spring and look forward to another exciting and stimulating academic year in 2021.
In the meantime, HRF will continue to assist and support the orphans of Afghanistan and the local communities struggling to meet their basic needs. The coronavirus outbreak has caused unimaginable hardships for millions of children across the country who were already facing an uphill battle for a brighter future. We will stay true to our mission to empower them as best as we can. Over the last several months, we have provided funds to like-minded organizations (OWA, The Children of War, Sana Orphanage, Resources of Young Afghans) which were used to purchase food, clothing and essential supplies that promote good hygiene habits resulting in better health. We also helped communities in northern Afghanistan devastated by flash floods in late August.
We thank our supporters for their compassion and generosity, and for their patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. Please know that you’re playing a critical role in providing some sense of stability and hope to many kids who are suffering from the effects of this pandemic.
Summer 2020 Update
It has been more than seven months since the coronavirus pandemic forced school closures throughout Afghanistan. Authorities are still grappling with how to reopen facilities in a manner that won’t put students, their families and teachers at risk. The Homaira Rahman school in Kabul will remain shuttered until further notice.
The spread of the virus has overburdened Afghanistan’s fragile healthcare system and exacerbated food insecurity for millions of people who were already facing acute hunger. Children are suffering disproportionately. It’s exacting a heavy physical and mental toll on them. HRF has always been determined to meet the immediate and basic needs of the most vulnerable children across Afghanistan so that they can thrive and reach their full potential. This includes imparting educational skills to help them develop and grow, and occasionally providing funds for things they can’t acquire or do themselves, like food, shelter and clothing. We firmly believe that this support and guidance will put them on a path to success in school and in life. We relish every chance we get to help a child in need. The pandemic has only strengthened our resolve.
To this end, HRF was delighted to have had the opportunity in early August to team up with The Children of War (TCOW) who led the effort for the Eid Al Adha Qurbani program in Barikab and Paghman. Over a thousand at-risk families benefited from this distribution of fresh meat, which enabled children to celebrate this joyous occasion with a delicious meal.
Thanks to our compassionate supporters, we were also able to collaborate with OWA on a joint food distribution in Kabul for vulnerable families celebrating Eid Al Adha. A huge thanks to the OWA team for making this holiday extra special for those living in extreme poverty and hunger. In addition, we donated funds to Sana Orphanage in Kandahar so that that children in their care could find comfort and joy amid familiar routines as they spent Eid together. They were treated to new clothing, shoes, nutritious food and small gifts. We wanted to bring a ray of hope and optimism to everyone we were able to reach in these deeply unsettling times, especially during what would normally be a very festive and communal event.
Lastly, in the wake of the deadly flash floods that inundated Afghanistan’s northern provinces in late August, HRF teamed up with The Children of War (TCOW) and Raqim Foundation (RF) to help the survivors in the affected areas. We are pleased to report that on September 3, we successfully completed our humanitarian relief effort, led by TCOW. Over 70 families victimized and displaced by this calamity in the district of Surobi of Kabul and in Mahipar received 19 emergency items in two different locations. This included tents, rugs, comforters, mattresses, pillows, gas cylinders for cooking/heating and light, pressure cookers, pots and pans, tea cups, water buckets, bowls, beverage coolers, cleaning supplies, soap, detergent, plastic items, cash and more.
The impacted communities, already reeling from the pandemic and years of conflict, were completely overwhelmed by the scale and severity of the floods. Through the generosity of our supporters we were able to stand alongside our partners and offer comfort and support to displaced children, women and men who have suffered grievously and who will continue to struggle to put their lives back together.
April-May 2020 News
As this global pandemic continues to grow, HRF assembled simple hygiene kits for students in need in Afghanistan to help prevent the spread of the virus. The kits included gloves, masks and soap. In addition, these items were distributed to several camps (hundreds of families), where basic necessities are scarce and people live in very crowded spaces. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to OWA, our partner organization for coordinating these efforts during these trying times.
In early April, we conducted an informal fundraiser on Facebook that generated over $1100 toward the purchase of the hygiene kits benefiting 250 students and women. We are grateful for the generous contributions.
During Ramadan, HRF purchased 100 sacks of rice for 100 families sheltered in a camp in Kabul and provided funds to Sana Orphanage in Kandahar for the purchase of essential food supplies, cleaning and sanitizing products and clothing.
We are proud to announce that HRF recently teamed up with REFA (Relief and Emergency Fund for Afghanistan) to help families affected by a deadly attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul in May 2020.
We would like to take this opportunity to express how deeply we appreciate – and need – your continued support and extend our heartfelt well-wishes to everyone during this very difficult time.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spring 2020 Update
Dear Friends,
We hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe during these challenging times. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to reach out to the HRF community to update you on our continuing efforts to respond to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable in Afghanistan during this crisis.
Schools in Afghanistan will remain closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak. HRF will closely monitor this rapidly unfolding situation since we value the safety and well-being of our students, staff and their families. We will pay teacher/staff salaries for the month of April – when the school year was scheduled to begin- because for most, it is their only source of income. HRF will also pay salaries for the month of May. We hope to start another exciting school year in Kabul and will keep you informed of developments as they occur.
We are grateful that HRF had the opportunity to collaborate with The Children of War during the Covid-19 Emergency Relief program at the Bagh Daoud Camp in Afghanistan. This effort helped purchase food and supplies such as soap, gloves and masks for 60 at-risk families to try to curb the spread of the virus in their community, which is a daily threat. Outbreaks of this kind disproportionately impact the poor who are most susceptible and often ignored.
Link to photos:
https://www.facebook.com/98999224595/posts/10158165108024596/?d=n
Fall/Winter 2019 News
We love having the opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of our remarkable students and teachers. And what better occasion than the end of another eventful school year in Kabul! In December 2019, the administrators and staff of the Homaira Rahman School and the OWA School separately organized a special day for the kids and their dedicated teachers – about 300 individuals. At the OWA school they were all treated to a delicious meal and given a stipend to help them cope with the cold and snowy months ahead. At the Homaira Rahman School each student received a stipend and words of encouragement for their hard work. It was a time for all of our students to reflect on all the wonderful things that made the past year so magical. After enduring the rigors of a long school year, the upcoming winter break is well-deserved.
This winter, to help the many children in their care meet their basic needs, we have extended financial assistance to TCOW, Sana Orphanage in Kandahar, and OWA. These organizations are doing great work in Afghanistan, and like us, they strive to create an environment that fosters love, compassion and respect. We try to support them to the extent that we can at various points throughout the year.
HRF’s 10th anniversary was also marked in 2019. Our important work would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of our donors. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude. Your contributions help us fulfill our vision of ensuring that every orphaned child in our care has access to life-changing, quality education and becomes empowered. These beautiful children bring our classrooms to life and fill those spaces with probing questions, discovery and limitless growth. Unfortunately, many kids across Afghanistan, especially girls, are still excluded from education. This means that they won’t have a chance to the unlock the potential within them and seize the opportunities around them. It’s a tragic situation. But our students, even with all the challenges that life has thrown at them, will have a precious opportunity to build their knowledge and their character – and dare to dream about their futures and know that they will be equipped with skills to make them come true.
Summer 2019 Update
While most primary school children around the world enjoy their summer vacation, the vast majority of kids in Afghanistan will be attending classes until December. This means that they have to endure hot weather for several months and trudge through their studies at times feeling tired and listless. Since we want our students to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom, we try to attend to their basic needs, and ensure that they have access to food, water and other essentials. We recently extended financial assistance to Sana Orphanage in Kandahar, to help the approximately 50 children in their care celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar – which this year fell during the summer. Each child at the Sana Orphanage, Homaira Rahman School and at the OWA school in Kabul deserves a quality education – and some of the comforts – that values their dignity, uniqueness and potential.
This small gesture is something we do annually with the hope that it fosters a sense of solidarity and well-being. Our ultimate goal for these precious children is to help build their confidence and character and prepare them for productive future lives. They are excited and eager to learn. And they understand that education will open up a world of opportunities for all of them.
Spring 2019: HRF’s 10th Anniversary – Celebrating a Decade of Empowering Afghanistan’s Orphans
This spring we celebrate an exciting milestone – HRF’s 10th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, we held our annual online fundraiser from April 27-29 and raised $8,600 to sustain our projects in Afghanistan. We want to thank our loyal supporters not only for their contributions to this year’s fundraiser, but for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the some of the most vulnerable children in the world over the past ten years. We are extremely proud of the progress that we’ve made since HRF was established in 2009, but we recognize that none of it would have possible without the generosity and dedication of our supporters. You have helped hundreds of orphans across Afghanistan get access to a quality education through the Homaira Rahman School, the HRF Learning Center and our partnerships with other like-minded organizations. Your assistance has also enabled us to meet the immediate needs of impoverished communities, with the provision of food, shelter, water and other essential supplies, and remote settlements ravaged by natural disasters. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to our growth and success and helped change the landscape for many young and impressionable Afghans for generations to come.
HRF believes in creating a a safe and supportive environment for children to foster their social and emotional development. This includes providing periodic financial assistance to orphanages in areas where resources are scarce. In this spirit, we recently sent funds to Sana orphanage in Kandahar, The Children of War and Orphans & Widows Association (OWA) in Kabul to help cover their most basic needs – particularly during the month of Ramadan, where people typically find a sense of community and togetherness in the midst of poverty and isolation.
In addition, we have completed our water project, partnering with Zam Zam Water to dig a well for approximately 50 needy families living in Qala e Jafar, Kabul. Water scarcity is a growing challenge across Afghanistan and has resulted in the displacement of many people. We want to thank Zam Zam Water for carrying out this initiative that will allow the vulnerable inhabitants of this small settlement to have access to safe and clean water – a basic human need. The community expressed its deep gratitude at an inaugural ceremony held in the village.
Winter 2018 News
As the chill of winter descends on Kabul, Homaira Rahman school students and staff are enjoying a well-earned break. The kids took their final exams in December 2018, wrapping up another very successful year. Classes will resume in the spring. We hope that 2019 brings our boys and girls joy and excitement at the prospect of continuing their studies and building a solid foundation for the future. We will do everything possible to create a welcoming learning environment that meets all their needs.
The HRF Learning Center continues to flourish and is a source of pride for us as well. As part of our annual winter relief effort, we extended some financial assistance to OWA, our partner organization who supervises the learning center, to buy basic supplies such as coal for needy families lacking vital cold weather essentials. HRF also made financial contributions to Sana Orphanage in Kandahar to help the 50 children in their care, and to The Children of War (TCOW) in Kabul for the procurement and distribution of critical items to vulnerable communities struggling to make it through the frigid months ahead.
HRF continues to support Resources of Young Afghans (ROYA), an organization determined to help underprivileged Afghan children acquire skills that will break the cycle of poverty in their families. We periodically receive progress reports on the 11 orphaned students that we sponsor, and we’re pleased to say that they are all doing extremely well.
We have received a lot of positive feedback from those who participated and watched the panel discussion we hosted at George Washington University in November 2018. The GWU Afghan Student Association helped us organize this extraordinary event which featured distinguished panelists examining the current situation in Afghanistan and describing how to achieve lasting peace in that war-torn country. The purpose of the event was to bring awareness to the plight of marginalized people in Afghanistan and to show how we can empower them to build brighter futures through education. We were thrilled to have Voice of America tape the discussion and broadcast portions of it later, further amplifying our message: https://www.facebook.com/100003283725251/posts/1951081178344654?sfns=mo
Achieving Peace – A Conversation on Afghanistan: Nov. 8, 2018
On November 8th, HRF and the George Washington University Afghan Students Association hosted a lively panel discussion on the way forward in Afghanistan at GWU’s Marvin Center Amphitheatre. In the ensuing dialogue, four experts with diverse backgrounds and considerable experience in the areas of diplomacy, public policy and academics talked about various strategies that could end the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and bring about sustainable peace and development. A brief Q & A session followed. The event, which included a reception, was well attended; proceeds will benefit HRF projects supporting Afghan orphans.
Participant Biographies: www.hrfcares.org/participant-biographies/
Summer 2018 Update
In keeping with HRF’s mission to provide hope and sustenance to Afghanistan’s orphans, we extended financial assistance to Sana orphanage in Kandahar during the month of Ramadan, which ended in June, so that the 53 children living there could eat nutritious meals daily and be furnished with essential supplies. We did the same for our own students at the OWA school in Kabul. Poverty and growing food insecurity make observing Ramadan a challenge for most Afghans. Our wish is to enable the poorest and most vulnerable kids to live with dignity and foster a sense of community and belonging for them in otherwise difficult and lonely surroundings. We believe strongly that the creation of a warm, loving and stable environment will contribute immeasurably to their growth and development and position them for bright and successful futures.
We also continue to sponsor orphaned children determined to get an education through our collaboration with ROYA (Resources of Young Afghanistan), a US-based nonprofit organization. The sponsorships pay for tuition, books and uniforms. We exchanged emotional letters with some of these children who expressed their joy and gratitude at being afforded the opportunity to build productive and purposeful lives for themselves and their families. It is a privilege and a blessing for us to help them along that journey and humbling to know that we could play a small role in that transformation process.
HRF will be responsible for half the salaries – with OWA, our partner organization, paying the other half – of two key administrators who split their time between the OWA School (200 students) and the Homaira Rahman School (90 students) in light of their added responsibilities. The children in both schools are flourishing and we are able to meet their basic needs thanks to your enduring support and our tireless staff on the ground whose work is indispensable to HRF and OWA.
In addition, we are grateful to the FamidiSnaps community for generously providing beautiful backpacks and other items to students at the Homaira Rahman School and the OWA school in Kabul. The kids were overjoyed by the recent surprise visits from FamidiSnaps and proudly showed off their brand new, stylish knapsacks to their friends and teachers.
Last but not least, HRF would like to thank Sshadoow for periodically donating a portion of their proceeds to our organization! We appreciate your generosity and continued support. Thank you for selecting HRF as your charity and for making a difference in the lives of orphans in Afghanistan.
Spring 2018 News
With the arrival of spring and Nowruz, the Afghan New Year, students at the Homaira Rahman are thrilled to return to school after a long and cold winter. Currently, 80 kids are enrolled in grades 1-6; but in the coming days that number will increase, as we hope to reach full enrollment (up to 100 students). These are some of the fortunate ones, in a country where hundreds of thousands of primary school-aged children still can not go to school due to a lack of access, extreme poverty and ongoing violence. Our students, all of whom attend public schools, realize how scarce opportunities are in Afghanistan and are determined to build more hopeful futures for themselves and their families by taking advantage of the supplemental educational services that we provide. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters, the orphans in our care can attend classes in a safe and supportive environment with all the tools and supplies they need to pursue their dreams. From computer classes to English, math and other relevant subjects, the Homaira Rahman School is helping to lay the intellectual, emotional and social groundwork for lifelong learning and growth, and nurturing skills and values that will enable its boys and girls to contribute meaningfully one day to their communities and beyond. Amazingly enough, this is the school’s sixth year in operation, and we couldn’t be more pleased by the progress our students have made.
The HRF Learning Center at the OWA school in Kabul (Khushal Khan) also continues to be a source of pride for us. Nearly 200 economically disadvantaged students have access to resources and facilities that they otherwise wouldn’t have, including a computer lab, a library and top-notch instruction. This will help develop their potential and improve academic outcomes for them.
HRF has recently partnered with ROYA (Resources of Young Afghans), a US-based nonprofit organization whose mission is “to break the cycle of poverty in families by providing needy youth with English and computer skills, stronger academic foundations and greater social capital.” We have sponsored 8 orphaned children, as part of ROYA’s Mentorship Program, who will be attending a private school in Ghor province. The sponsorships will cover the cost of uniforms, books and tuition. HRF will track each child’s progress through written correspondences with them.
HRF’s 6th Annual Online School Fundraiser A Success – December 2017
We would like to thank all of our supporters for their generous contributions to our 6th Annual Online Fundraiser benefiting the Homaira Rahman School, held in December 2017. We raised $16,315 on GoFundMe to support nearly 100 orphaned children in grades 1-6, and added several monthly sponsors. Donations continued through January 2018. We are grateful for every gift, every kind gesture. Your dedication to developing human potential through education allows us to provide children living in extreme poverty with a well-rounded curriculum, nutritious food, supplies/equipment and dreams of a future free from violence, fear and exploitation. Unfortunately, most vulnerable children in Afghanistan still face a steep uphill climb and are deprived of a chance to create better lives for themselves and their families. However, through your generosity and compassion, our students, in a relatively short period of time, have made remarkable progress in terms of their social and academic skills – which will help them make successful transitions to secondary education and ultimately to adulthood. With their youthful, wide-eyed optimism and innate desire to learn, one can easily envision these fragile children blossoming into productive, responsible and independent members of their communities some day. It almost seems unimaginable, considering where they came from and all the hardships they’ve endured. Your continued partnership with us, however, has brought real and lasting change to these lives and made all the difference in world. On behalf of our students, thank you for making this year’s fundraiser fruitful and helping to spread the word about HRF’s mission to empower marginalized children.
Press Release:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/12/prweb14976528.htm
Summer 2017 Update
As summer draws to a close in Afghanistan, our students continue to shine. In the midst of preparing for upcoming exams, the children enjoyed the Eid al-Adha celebration together with classmates, receiving a customary small monetary gift (known as an “Eidee”) with the help of OWA, our partner organization, and earned a well deserved break from their studies. We are extremely proud of their achievements. They are tackling disciplines as diverse as Math, English, Dari, Computers, and Religious studies. Many of our young students are the first ones in their family to formally attend school. They now have an opportunity to build better lives for themselves and their communities in a country where most people face an uncertain future.
With your help, we’re making a variety of improvements at the Homaira Rahman School and at the HRF Learning Center – including the purchase of new computers and other essential equipment and materials for the labs and libraries. By supplying those resources you are directly improving the quality of the education that these vulnerable children receive.
In rural Afghanistan, where it is next to impossible for kids to receive an adequate education, we just made a donation to a camp for internal refugees to help with basic needs. We also extended financial assistance to Sana Orphanage in Kandahar, which has more than 50 orphans in its care.
It is your continued generosity that helps us give marginalized boys and girls the support system they need to stay in school and bolsters the opportunities for future growth. It’s a huge impact that will endure for years to come.
Kabul Spring 2017 Report
For the students of the Homaira Rahman School, the new school year which began in April 2017, signals fresh starts and exciting opportunities. It’s always an exhilarating occasion, with the arrival of first-time students and familiar routines. HRF President Roya Rahman, who just returned from Kabul, was on hand to greet the kids for their first day back to classes. She visited the school every day over the course of the first week and purchased supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.) thanks to the generosity of our donors, particularly Yusef and Arya Maftoon, two young students in the US who thoughtfully organized a fundraiser for that purpose. Ms. Rahman was also able to coordinate an “Ice Cream and Candy” Day, much to the delight of our students, thanks to another loyal supporter, Rohyna Nashir. We continue to be amazed and moved by the compassion exhibited by our supporters who ultimately provide the resources so that underprivileged children can enjoy memorable moments and have a chance at a brighter future.
While at the school, Ms. Rahman spent some time with each student, hoping to connect with them (she learned very quickly that English is a favorite subject with most of the kids!) and trying to attend to their various needs. It was a very emotional experience for her, but she was buoyed by their resiliency and enthusiasm – and particularly struck by how well prepared the staff was for the start of the school year, setting a high bar for teaching and learning. (Total enrollment stands close to 100 students in grades 1-6, which is full capacity.) She inspected the school grounds and noticed that certain walls could use a fresh coat of paint, dust had settled on some classroom floors and the kitchen needed some touching up. The school’s maintenance supervisor promptly took care of those issues. In addition, Ms. Rahman attended a few classes, observing the students reading aloud from books as their teachers conducted the lessons from the chalkboard, and watched in amazement as groups of students huddled in pairs around desktop computers in the computer lab. Most of these children didn’t even know how to turn on a computer a short while ago; now they are working with this modern technology gracefully and effortlessly. A newly-hired and dynamic young teacher was tutoring the eager students on the basics of computers.
Ms. Rahman also stopped by the HRF Learning Center at the OWA school in Kabul and saw that they needed new laptops for their computer lab and chairs for students. A total of 150 students are enrolled at this school. She spoke with the staff and arranged to provide them with computers and chairs. We’ve hired two teachers at the Learning Center, but we want to make sure that the students have everything they need to flourish in their studies.
In a country that has struggled to expand equitable access to quality education, for girls especially, we are very proud of our record of providing equal opportunities to both boys and girls as we celebrate our eighth year as a non-profit organization. With your help, our students and other orphans across Afghanistan – among the poorest and most vulnerable children in the world – are rapidly developing the foundational skills (both academic and emotional) and knowledge required for the many challenges that lie ahead. It’s truly remarkable.
Winter 2016-2017
With another successful school year completed in December – our fourth already! – Homaira Rahman School students are enjoying a well-deserved break from the rigors of classwork. They will resume their studies in March, eager to start the new academic year with renewed energy and optimism. But with winter’s chill settling over much of Afghanistan, the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls are a persistent source of suffering. For the masses of poverty-stricken people, families spend most of their time scrounging for firewood, food, clothing and blankets in a desperate bid to keep warm and well-nourished. And without adequate shelter from the unrelenting cold, the children are most at risk – too many succumb to treatable diseases and malnutrition. To help reduce winter vulnerability for orphaned students at the OWA school in Kabul, the site of our Learning Center, HRF has extended financial assistance for the procurement of food and basic supplies, which we hope will bring them some warmth and comfort during these frigid and snowy months. HRF also made a contribution to The Children of War (TCOW) who will distribute life-saving emergency relief supplies in remote, isolated villages where there is considerable loss of life due to a series of avalanches and massive snowstorms.
In Kandahar, where most people are struggling to survive on the margins of a crowded city, we recently made a donation to Sana Orphanage, which houses more than 53 children. The money was used to purchase warm clothing – hats and coats to stave off the penetrating cold – and pay one month’s rent for the facility. Sana’s mission is to “educate, care for and provide hope to the orphans of Kandahar.”
HRF’s goal has always been to safeguard the health and well-being of vulnerable children in Afghanistan while allowing them the opportunity to reach their full potential through education. With your assistance, we will continue to provide essential supplies for children in need throughout the year and also ensure that they have all the necessary skills to take control of their lives and build secure futures for themselves and their families.
December 2016 Update: Online Fundraiser & Winter Coat Drive
2016 Online Fundraiser
Our 5th Annual Online Fundraiser successfully raised over $18,000 in 3 days! On behalf of HRF, the students and the staff, we are so thankful for your generous contributions and ongoing support. What we accomplished, we could not have done without your likes, shares and uplifting comments in response to our Facebook and other social media posts. We hope you take pride in knowing that your compassion offers opportunities for personal growth to defenseless children traumatized by war and poverty. It will enable them to brighten their communities one day.
Winter Coat Drive
The arrival of colder weather creates more suffering for the children of Afghanistan every year. For many, it’s simple things, which most of us take for granted, like coats, shoes and blankets that can literally mean the difference between life and death. To help our students battle the extreme cold, some of our loyal supporters organized a successful coat drive in Virginia recently, raising over $1300 used mainly to purchase 90 fur-lined coats, which were distributed to the kids in Kabul in what turned out to be a very emotional and uplifting event. We also waited for this occasion to give each student hand-knitted, woolen scarves embroidered with the HRF logo and colors made by a small group of widows several months ago. The kids were overjoyed to receive these essential items that they couldn’t possibly begin to afford and which will help them battle the cold in the coming months. We used the remainder of those funds to purchase various school supplies for our students at the OWA school in Kabul and to provide our amazing teachers and staff at the Homaira Rahman School with small monetary gifts as a token of our appreciation.
Summer 2016 News
It’s been almost three years since the Homaira Rahman School opened its doors to the orphans of Kabul. Thanks to your support, more than 100 marginalized boys and girls in grades 1-6 now have the opportunity to take charge of their own destinies and improve their lives through learning. We have always believed that the education of both boys and girls is critical to overcoming poverty and the oppression of women in Afghanistan, and the key to unlocking its vast economic potential in the global economy. Unfortunately most children still don’t have access to schooling across the country – our students are some of the lucky ones. They have quality teachers, books, supplies and a safe place to learn at their own pace. Our representative in Kabul, Tooba, visited the school in late May and was heartened to see the rapid progress that the children have made in a short period of time – particularly in terms of the English and computer skills they have acquired. Because it’s precisely these skills, along with math and science which are also taught, that will enable them to compete in the modern world. The kids also participate in art classes as a source of fun and to explore their creativity. We will continue to strive to provide our students with the kind of balanced and broad-based education they need in order to prepare them for the complex challenges that lie ahead.
In June, HRF gave grants to three 501 c3 Afghan orphan-focused organizations: Omeid International – to help a group of young boys travel to India to further their education; Sana Orphanage in Kandahar – to provide the 50 orphans in their care with basic necessities; and OWA, our partner organization – to help them purchase food and school supplies for their students. All three organizations embody HRF’s core values and mission and we were pleased to extend them a helping hand.
The month of August was a very busy one for the students of the Homaira Rahman School as they prepared for and took their midterm exams. We decided to treat the kids to a pizza party following the exams, which was an interesting experience for them. Most weren’t sure how to eat the pizza, whether to use forks and knives or not; but they had lots of fun trying something new and different and celebrating the completion of their midterms. We also honored four students who have reached the highest level of academic achievement this year.
Back to School- April 2016
Springtime in Afghanistan is a welcome relief from the harsh realities of winter. It’s the start of the Persian New Year (Nowruz) and typically a festive occasion – although this time the celebrations were tempered somewhat by fears of violence and economic instability. For students, the arrival of spring also signals the beginning of the new school year, which brings with it opportunities for growth and endless possibilities. After a three-month winter break, the children at the Homaira Rahman School are genuinely excited to be reunited with friends and classmates and look forward to another wonderful year of learning together. The arrival of new entrants (first graders) has also helped to energize the school. We hope that this academic year is filled with positive experiences for our students, and we will do everything we can to ensure their happiness and success.
The HRF Learning Center at the OWA school in Kabul has just hired a new English and computer teacher. We’re very pleased with the progress that the students are making there. They are gaining the kinds of skills and self-confidence necessary to become valued and contributing members of their communities one day.
February 2016 Update
As cold weather and power outages continue to cause severe hardship across Afghanistan, the Homaira Rahman School will remain closed for the winter break until March when warmer weather sets in. While everybody is affected, the icy winters take a particularly heavy toll on children and many succumb to hunger, disease and exposure every year. To help make vulnerable children a little more comfortable, HRF sent $1,000 to the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA) to purchase food and other essential supplies; and $1,000 in early February to the The Children of War (TCOW) which was used to buy charcoal for internally displaced people (125 families) living in a makeshift settlement outside Kabul to help keep them warm and provide fuel for cooking. The charcoal was distributed to the neediest families who were grateful because their windswept homes offer little protection from the bitter cold. HRF extends humanitarian assistance annually to orphans and vulnerable families to help them deal with winter emergencies.
In a related development, HRF recently funded a micro-project which enabled rural Afghan women – a marginalized group – to use their talents to generate income. A group of 10 women in Dashtebarche (Kabul Province) made 100 beautiful blue and white scarves embroidered with the HRF logo – one for each orphaned student at the Homaira Rahman School to keep them warm. HRF compensated ($800 collectively) these kind ladies for their efforts. This small amount of money will help sustain them through the harsh winter, but more importantly, it will give them hope that they can use their skills to provide for their families. There are few economic opportunities for rural women in Afghanistan and most families live in extreme poverty. With marketable skills like sewing, they can bring a measure of stability to their households and empower themselves in the process.
We are happy to announce that the bakery whose construction we funded ($4,500), as part of a larger community development and empowerment project on the outskirts of Kabul, has just opened. The bakery contains a kitchen and space to make bread for the entire community. It is expected that 100 families – typically 4-5 people per family – will eventually live in this small hamlet and have access to the bakery. Most families have already moved in to their homes; the remainder will do so in the Spring. It’s very important for us that orphans and vulnerable children, who face a precarious existence, will benefit tremendously from this initiative. Many children in Afghanistan die from hunger and malnutrition. This bakery will provide them with free, nourishing food which will allow them to grow physically and mentally. Our involvement in the project will be limited to a one-time contribution that was used to build the bakery.
HRF intends to start a small vocational training program at the Homaira Rahman School in the near future to help graduates as they transition to a life beyond our primary school. We hope to offer them choices and teach them income-generating skills which they can use to improve their lives immediately. We’ll keep you posted.
In January, HRF President Roya Rahman attended an event at the Afghan Embassy in Washington D.C. that aimed to bring together the diaspora, especially those involved in Afghan- focused nonprofit organizations. It was a great opportunity to network with dedicated individuals to see how their diverse talents and dynamism could be used to better serve people in their embattled homeland.
HRF Awarded Generous Grant by Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Fohr Family Fund- January 2016
We are very pleased to announce that HRF is the recipient of a generous $4,000 grant from Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Fohr Family Fund. This grant will be used to provide essential school supplies, teacher salaries and nourishing meals for orphaned students at the Homaira Rahman School, and may also be utilized for humanitarian or emergency aid. We are deeply grateful for the Fund’s contribution, and we thank them for recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of Afghanistan’s marginalized children. We couldn’t possibly help these kids without such kind support.
HRF’s 4th Annual Online Fundraiser Hits Target
Thanks to an incredible outpouring of generosity and compassion from our devoted supporters, we are proud to announce that our 4th annual online Flash Fundraiser, held on December 5th & 6th 2015, reached its goal again this year! Together we raised over $15,000 to help sustain the daily operations of the Homaira Rahman School in Kabul, Afghanistan and provide its 100 students in grades 1-6 with the resources and skills they need to succeed in the classroom and in life. We are profoundly grateful to and humbled by everyone who participated in this important yearly event which leverages social media to bring awareness to the plight of orphans and amplify our message of empowerment through learning. Your continued kindness will allow us to protect and assist some of Afghanistan’s most disadvantaged children and meet their diverse needs. These innocent victims of violent conflict face a steep uphill climb, coming of age in one of the most dangerous and unstable environments imaginable. Neglected and emotionally-scarred, the vast majority will tragically be subjected to abuse and exploitation and denied access to school and hope for the future. Girls are especially at risk. But through the priceless gift of education that you’re providing, a lucky few, of the more than 2 million orphans scattered across the country, will have a viable path out of crippling poverty and a chance to grow to adulthood with their dignity intact.
Your financial assistance has already enabled us to double our student intake in two short years of existence and is critical to the long term well being and vitality of our school. On behalf of the young boys and girls we serve, thank you so much for making this work possible.
HRF Joins Effort to Deliver Humanitarian Aid
To help the survivors of a deadly earthquake that shook northern Afghanistan in late October 2015, HRF partnered with four other Afghanistan-focused nonprofit organizations – The Children of War; Raqim Foundation; Kinder Afghanistan; and Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow – in a show of solidarity and to maximize impact. Together we raised $17,000 to purchase food and blankets for 1,700 people. The Children of War (TCOW) led the relief effort to the Gurm district of Badakhshan Province and neighboring villages, which experienced some delays due to worsening security and poor road conditions, and distributed the supplies to villagers who were grateful and delighted to see that help had finally arrived. Ours was the first humanitarian mission to reach that remote area in more than one month. Your kind support made this possible. We thank you for believing in our work!
Fall 2015 News
The Homaira Rahman School marked its second year of operation in Kabul in September 2015. Our primary objective is to help extremely disadvantaged children escape the endless cycle of poverty. We challenge our students to engage with and explore the world around them, which will help them grow as individuals and develop critical thinking and leadership skills. We’re continuing to making great strides in year two thanks to your generosity. Our liaison in Kabul, Tooba, visited the school in the summer to better understand students’ individual needs. The kids, some soft-spoken, others more animated, opened up about their hopes and ambitions and personal struggles and triumphs. In a country where opportunities for vulnerable children are scarce, they realize how lucky they are and believe that education will give them a bright future. Their stories of perseverance and determination are inspiring and spirit lifting – especially the little girls who are pursuing their education tenaciously despite tremendous odds.
Afghanistan also celebrated Eid al Adha in September; so in the spirit of Eid, HRF sent the students of the Homaira Rahman School a small monetary gift as a token of our appreciation for all their hard work and successes. Giving gifts to children during Eid is among the most cherished customs in Afghanistan. We hope we made their celebration a little merrier and more special. In addition, HRF made a contribution to The Children of War’s Qurbani Service. Donations to this 501 c3 nonprofit organization’s Qurbani Service will be used to distribute food to thousands of needy families across Afghanistan.
In August 2015, with your help, HRF was able to extend urgently needed financial assistance to an orphanage/school in the southern city of Kandahar, a former Taliban stronghold, which is beset by chronic poverty and underdevelopment. 50 young orphans – all without a surviving parent – benefited from this grant, which provided them with food and other essential supplies.
Earlier in the summer HRF agreed to fund the construction of a small bakery which will be a part of a community development and empowerment project benefiting 100 families just outside Kabul. Construction is ongoing. When completed, the bakery will provide skills to members of the impoverished community and feed them as well. HRF’s participation in this initiative is limited to the awarding of a financial grant to our partner nonprofit organization, Orphans & Widows Association (OWA). This will not be a money-making /commercial enterprise for us or OWA. The goal is strictly to make available housing, employment and educational opportunities for the rural poor.
On behalf of the energetic and eager children we serve, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our loyal and caring supporters who make our work possible.
June 2015 Update
We are excited to announce that, with the enrollment of 25 additional children in May 2015, the Homaira Rahman School has reached its full grade span of 1-6 with just over 100 students. We want to thank our supporters for their continued generosity and commitment to our school, which opened its doors in 2013 with 50 students in first through fourth grades. Your involvement has allowed us to expand the school gradually, accommodating more pupils each year, and grow into a full fledged primary school for Kabul’s orphans in 2015. Our aim is to help improve the quality of life for severely disadvantaged children and prepare them for the many challenges ahead through education.
HRF strives to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children have all the resources they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom and enhance their standard of living. Recognizing that well nourished children perform better in school (helps them in their mental, physical and social development; they will have the energy to learn better when they’re not starving and worried about where the next meal is going to come from), HRF has recently agreed to fund the construction of a small bakery in Kabul, at the Sharakeh Dareecha Noor in Qalay Haidar Khan, which will be an integral part of a community development and empowerment project benefiting 100 families (a total of 400-500 people). Led by the nonprofit Orphans and Widows Association, our partner organization with whom we continue to collaborate, this initiative will improve social and economic conditions for the rural poor – especially orphans and marginalized children. We believe firmly that in order for education and literacy to be sustainable, it must occur as part of a broader development and poverty reduction agenda, which is what this project hopes to achieve – providing housing, employment opportunities, access to food and other resources to needy people. So far about 36 families have been moved into their homes in the community; the bakery is expected to be completed within a few months.
Progress Report From Kabul – April 2015
HRF President, Roya Rahman recently visited Kabul to check on the progress of the Homaira Rahman School and ensure that the children are in an environment that’s supportive, safe and conducive to learning. While she was dismayed to discover that Kabul’s vital public infrastructure is still in a state of disrepair or not working at all, she was heartened to see that the students are thriving and very eager to learn despite the heartbreaking poverty and misfortune confronting them. The city continues to be plagued by shortages of water and power, which means that electricity at the school is intermittent, but the children in this primary school go about their studies undaunted and determined more than ever to achieve their dreams thanks to your unyielding support and generosity. One adorable, bright-eyed little girl even described her plans to become a doctor one day and help her fellow countrymen.
Roya sat down with students, 75 orphans in all (boys and girls) – some of the poorest and most vulnerable children in Afghanistan – to better understand their challenges and needs, and was deeply moved and inspired by their stories of perseverance and personal sacrifice. Your generous contributions allowed her to purchase brand new backpacks for each child, which they accepted with obvious delight, their beautiful smiles lighting up the room. She watched as some of the young students wrote personalized letters to our supporters thanking you for creating these wonderful opportunities for them, which they understand, even at their tender ages, will dramatically improve the quality of their lives. She met with the faculty and staff to collect feedback and offer guidance on the daily operations, and supervised the painting of a sign on the front facade of the building. And since the school has just expanded to include a sixth grade and will soon enroll some first-graders, she purchased 15 desks and chairs for the incoming students. Your financial contributions will also be used for routine upkeep and maintenance on the building and grounds and will ensure the long-term viability of our school.
A small but spirited event was organized where the kids sang the national anthem and recited poetry and Roya publicly thanked OWA for their untiring efforts and partnership with HRF, and expressed her joy at the great strides made by the students.
As Roya prepared to leave the school, having just attended a computer class and an English class where some third-graders were listening intently to their teacher, the kids surprised her by giving her a rousing goodbye – in English, to her astonishment! It was a poignant reminder of the tangible difference that HRF’s loyal supporters are making in these young and fragile lives. You have helped create a warm and nurturing atmosphere that fosters individual growth and a sense of unity and purpose. These precious gifts will endure and provide much needed hope for the future.
Roya also went to see HRF’s Learning Center in Kabul and was deeply impressed. The students there are also learning English and computers, among other skills, and are similarly imbued with a sense of pride and confidence that’s infectious.
Homaira Rahman School Marks First Anniversary- September 2014
The Homaira Rahman School officially opened one year ago this month with a simple mission: to change the fortunes of war-torn Afghanistan’s most vulnerable children through education.
We began with 50 boys and girls and have welcomed the Fall 2014 class with 75 students and the addition of a 5th grade curriculum. We hope to introduce a 6th grade class in the Fall of 2015. We’re already witnessing the transformations our young students have gone through as they’ve successfully completed one full academic year. Enthusiastic and glowing with pride, the kids have grown more confident, self-assured, and are brimming with curiosity and a desire to learn about the world around them. They’re quiet and attentive, as they sit in neat, orderly rows, studying English and math, among other subjects, and can be seen hunched over computer screens acquiring new skills and solving assigned problems – things that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. It has truly been a humbling experience for us and we are moved and extremely encouraged by these developments.
We will continue to evolve in order to meet the growing needs of our students. HRF owes a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in this project- most of all to our supporters for their generosity and compassion, OWA- our partner organization, and the teachers and staff for their dedication and hard work.
HRF Reaches Five-Year Milestone
April 2014 marked Homaira Rahman Foundation’s 5th anniversary! It’s been a truly rewarding and humbling journey – one that wouldn’t have been possible without your continued support and encouragement.
Since our inception in 2009, we have worked to improve the lives of Afghanistan’s neglected children – its orphans – by offering them a future of hope and inclusion through education. To date, we have supported several orphanages, particularly in the cold winter months when food and supplies have been scarce, helping to meet their diverse needs; we have established a Learning Center in a school that contains a library and teaches computer skills and English to young children.
Our biggest achievement, as we’ve reached this important milestone, is the opening of the Homaira Rahman Elementary School in Kabul in September 2013. Having such a facility has been our primary goal and we are profoundly grateful to our generous benefactor, loyal supporters and the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA), our dedicated partner, for helping to bring it to fruition.
We commend the exemplary efforts of everyone affiliated with HRF and extend our appreciation for your many valuable contributions to the children of Afghanistan.
Panjshir Valley Disaster Relief
In response to a series of deadly avalanches striking the Panjshir Valley in northeastern Afghanistan in March 2015, HRF teamed up with The Children of War, the Raqim Foundation and Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow (AEBT) and raised $13,000 collectively, used to purchase and personally distribute emergency supplies of food to affected families: 50 kg of flour, 24.5 kg of rice, 5 kg of cooking oil and 1 kg of tea.
More than three hundred people – men, women and children – were killed and many others remain unaccounted for, trapped in the snow, in the worst disaster of its kind to hit this remote area in forty years.
HRF’s 3rd Annual Online Fundraiser Surpasses Goal in Support of the Homaira Rahman School- December 2014
In keeping with our mission to empower war-torn Afghanistan’s most vulnerable children – orphans – through education, we held our third annual Flash Fundraiser, an intensive 48-hour online event, on Saturday and Sunday, December 13-14. Thanks to a tremendous outpouring of generosity from our loyal supporters, we raised over $17,000 – well above our $15,000 target – and will be better positioned to meet the growing needs of our students, enhancing their learning experience. The proceeds generated during the weekend-long social media campaign will be used to pay for the vital operating expenses of the Homaira Rahman School, which opened in Kabul last year and offers to instruction to 75 orphaned children (boys and girls) in grades 1-5.
Since our inception, HRF has always been a strong advocate for Afghan orphans, a chronically underserved and neglected segment of the population, offering humanitarian assistance and helping to clear the path to a brighter future. But with the opening of Homaira Rahman School in 2013, we hope to make an even bigger impact on their lives – aiming to nurture and develop them to their fullest potential so that one day they can meaningfully participate and lead in their fragile communities. Contributions made to our 2014 Flash Fundraiser will help maintain the long-term financial stability of the school, allowing us to cover all annual educational expenses for the students, including books, supplies, uniforms, lunch, transportation, teacher/staff salaries.
We are grateful and humbled by your continued support, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this year’s fundraiser so unbelievably successful. Your donations will help create life-changing opportunities and hope for severely underprivileged children who would otherwise face the bleakest of futures. Your help is greatly needed and much appreciated, and will leave an indelible impression on countless lives.
HRF Teams Up To Help The People of Badakhshan
The devastating landslides in the Argo district of Badakhshan province in Afghanistan on May 2, 2014 claimed over 2000 lives and left hundreds more homeless. The affected area is located in one of the poorest and most remote regions in the country and aid has been slow in reaching the isolated mountain community, which is still reeling from the effects of the landslides. Given the enormity of the disaster and the urgency of the circumstances on the ground, HRF felt this was a high priority which required prompt action and determined that collaboration would maximize impact and reach.
In the days following the calamity, HRF and two other Afghan focused nonprofit organizations, The Children of War (TCOW) and Raqim Foundation, launched a joint emergency appeal in order to provide timely assistance to the victims – including many newly orphaned children – and created a Badakhshan landslide relief fund to help with the immediate needs of the numerous people impacted by this unfortunate event.
Thanks to the outpouring of support from our generous donors, we were able to raise just over $20,000 collectively – used to purchase 700 gas cylinders with cooktops/light/heater attachments and 700 large buckets, which were personally delivered by TCOW to the disaster zone, and provide cash to some of the survivors who continue to live in makeshift tents. We are deeply grateful to TCOW for organizing this relief effort and overseeing the successful distribution of vital supplies to the neediest families.
We thank you again for your compassion and generosity and ask you to continue keep the people of Badakhshan in your thoughts and prayers. Their situation will remain precarious for months to come, but you helped bring them tangible and immediate relief during a difficult time when they’re still struggling to come to grips with this terrible tragedy.
Badakhshan, Afghanistan Emergency Appeal – May 2014
Emergency efforts are underway to help those who survived this calamity, but relief assistance has been slow in reaching the stricken area due to the rugged terrain – Badakhshan is one of the poorest and most remote regions in the country. Potable water, food, medical supplies, clothing, shelter, and other essentials are still very much in short supply. The situation on the ground is truly heartbreaking.
To help provide for the immediate needs of the many people impacted by this disaster, HRF has established a Badakhshan landslide relief fund and we encourage you to make a donation in any amount at https://www.hrfcares.org/donate/. Your generous contribution will provide a lifeline of help and hope for the crowds of frightened men, women and children desperately awaiting aid. We thank in you in advance for your support and ask you to keep the people of Badakhshan in your thoughts and prayers.
Winter Supply Drive at the Homaira Rahman School
In December 2013, Ms. Cheryl Garner and her colleagues graciously organized a food and clothing drive in support of the Homaira Rahman School. They personally delivered coats, school supplies and food to the students to help them cope with the harsh winter in Afghanistan. With the temperatures dipping below freezing, the children were delighted and welcomed these timely gifts as a blessing. We are extremely humbled and thankful to Ms. Garner and her associates for this incredibly kind gesture.
HRF’s 2nd Annual Online Flash Fundraiser held on December 7th & 8th 2013
The 48-hour Flash Fundraiser has ended, but our effort to help disadvantaged children break the cycle of poverty through education continues. The two-day online appeal came to a close officially on Sunday, December 8 at midnight, with a flurry of last-minute donations that pushed the total past $10,000. We are deeply appreciative of your support and for taking the time to make this event a success and a momentum builder. Through the power of social media and the collective action and determination of our enthusiastic supporters, we were able to generate a substantial amount of money for the Homaira Rahman School, which opened in Kabul in September 2013. We also had the opportunity to share our story across a vast network of connected family, friends and colleagues, and raised awareness for the plight of Afghan orphans, who are vulnerable to neglect, exploitation and abuse.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed and to all who urged friends and family to do the same. Every donation counts and will provide for the educational expenses of children who need it most. Please continue to support our cause. To make a one-time or recurring donation, please visit https://www.hrfcares.org/donate/.
Homaira Rahman School Opens in Kabul – September 2013
We are pleased to announce the official opening of the Homaira Rahman School. Through your generous contributions and in close partnership with the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA), the Homaira Rahman School opened its doors on 22 September 2013.
The facts:
· 50 students, in grades 1-4 began classes in late September 2013, and will normally follow a Saturday through Wednesday school week.
· 25 additional children have been enrolled in the month of October, bringing the final total to 75 students in grades 1-4. The school will expand to offer fifth and sixth grades in the next two years.
· Students will attend Math, Dari, English, Computer classes, and Religious studies classes, which were approved by the Afghan Ministry of Education.
· Your contributions support meals, supplies and a staff that includes a school principal, 5 teachers, a cafeteria staff, a school bus driver, and a security guard.
· The initial set up costs for the school totaled approximately $7000 and included the purchase of desks, chairs, computers, bookshelves, cafeteria tables, cafeteria and kitchen supplies, bathroom supplies.
· With your continued support, we will focus our future efforts on not only improving the Homaira Rahman School, but also creating opportunities to increase enrollment.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the school’s completion held a week earlier, on September 16, attracted a large crowd of attendees and featured speeches from Mr. Latif, who selflessly donated land and built the school; representatives of the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA), School administrators; Abdul Sabour Ghofrani, a spokesman from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education; and HRF President, Roya Rahman.
We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your generosity in support of the Homaira Rahman School. Your involvement ensures a bright future for them and for their country. Thank you for making a difference!
Homaira Rahman School- Spring 2013 Update
With winter behind us, construction at the Homaira Rahman School is back in full swing and should be completed later this year. Thanks to our gracious benefactor we now have an entire building – not one floor as originally planned – in which to operate the school. Much work has already been done on the two-story structure, which adjoins two separate buildings not connected with the Homaira Rahman School. The construction crew has also started on the interior, where classrooms, a cafeteria, recreational spaces and restrooms are being built to meet the children’s diverse needs. Attention to detail will therefore be very important. We feel it is our responsibility to create an atmosphere conducive to learning which will motivate each student to reach his or her full potential – and this includes the actual physical setting. Our partner in this project, the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA), has also begun assembling staff that will oversee the internal day-to-day operations of the school, and is canvassing neighborhoods in Kabul to find prospective students.
While this project continues to move along swiftly, we need your continued support and constant encouragement to ensure that the school’s construction is completed and that the children will always have the necessary tools to succeed and grow. Your monthly or annual sponsorship will provide books, educational materials, school supplies, computers, desks, tables, chairs, food, and will enable us to bear all of the ongoing administrative and infrastructure costs needed to support our activities.
We are pleased with the progress so far and realize that none of this would be possible without your enthusiasm and devotion.
Homaira Rahman School (far left) under construction- Winter 2012
Homaira Rahman School nearing completion- Spring 2013
HRF’s 1st Online Flash Fundraiser Generates Over $15K For The Homaira Rahman School- December 2012
HRF and our orphans are profoundly thankful for your generosity. In our first 48-hour online Flash Fundraiser, we have managed to raise over $15,000 to benefit the Homaira Rahman School in support of its mission to empower vulnerable children in Afghanistan through education. In addition, we have added 10 new monthly sponsors and 3 more annually to our growing sponsorship list. If you are interested in becoming a project sponsor, please email us at info@hrfcares.org for details.
You, our HRF fans and friends, have made this possible. You are our heroes. Your contributions have created opportunity, hope, and most importantly a fighting chance for these children. Faced with overwhelming adversity, our orphans at the School will have the opportunity to learn and challenge themselves – with the hope of becoming the heroes we will one day admire.
Please continue to donate whenever you are able to do so. Our work and your support continue to matter.
Homaira Rahman School Project
A generous benefactor and philanthropist donated an entire section of a school he is constructing in Kabul, Afghanistan to HRF. This area will be used to establish the Homaira Rahman School, serving grades 1-6. For this effort, HRF will collaborate closely with the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA), a trusted and experienced US-based nonprofit partner, to establish and operate this school. For more information about this project, please click here.
HRF Learning Center in Kabul Takes Shape
HRF is pleased to announce that the recently established Homaira Rahman Library at the Orphans and Widows Association (OWA) in Kabul has evolved into a dynamic center for learning and will henceforth be known as the HRF Learning Center. The Learning Center now houses a library and an on-site computer lab which gives the children skills that will ultimately allow them to generate income and become self-sufficient.
In a rapidly changing world, Afghan orphans are especially vulnerable. They will need to master an array of skills in order to compete and succeed and contribute to their families and communities in the near future. To meet these diverse needs and with funds provided by HRF, the center in October 2010 hired an expert who will teach computer skills and English for up to 150 children in this warm and safe environment. The instructor will conduct lessons on a full-time basis five days a week, 5-6 hours per day.
We are extremely encouraged by this latest development that helps uplift the most neglected children in Afghanistan and gives them a chance at a hopeful future. A well-rounded education is critically important to a child’s social integration and overall well-being. Thanks to the kindness of our supporters, the HRF Learning Center will continue to flourish and offer precious opportunities for children to think and dream of a life beyond the narrow confines of the school/orphanage. HRF will continue to provide resources to help maintain it.
HRF´s Annual Fact Finding Mission to Kabul, Afghanistan
HRF President Ms. Roya Rahman embarked on a self-financed trip to Kabul, Afghanistan in May 2011 to review the organization’s current efforts and assess future projects in support of orphans in need. While in Kabul, she visited the children and met the recently hired (OWA) computer instructor, who was eager to contribute to a better future for the children. The proud students likewise were very excited to demonstrate their newly acquired skills at the HRF Learning Center.
On behalf of HRF, Ms. Rahman purchased and donated seven additional computers, a printer, classroom furniture and an assortment of books to the existing facility. To accommodate additional students, build collaboration, and allow hands-on participation for the children, this Learning Center has now relocated to a larger area at the OWA. Ms. Rahman also had an opportunity to share HRF’s story and vision in an interview with NBC’s Atia Abawi.
HRF Donates Funds to Keep School for Orphans Open in Jalalabad
In March 2011, HRF contributed a total of $3,500 to pay for the monthly operational expenses of the Mir Mohammed Yusuf School located in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The school is part of Project HOPE (Help the Orphans be Productive and Educated), which is a program led by International Orphan Care (IOC).
Over 230 students, including boys and girls ages 5-17, attend the K-12 and vocational classes offered at the school, while a total of 12 teachers teach English, math, computer, carpentry, tailoring, embroidery and bicycle repair courses. Last year, the facilities for the school’s vocational and mathematics courses were completed.
IOC is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political, humanitarian organization incorporated in California in 1993 and qualified as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The mission of IOC is to provide education, healthcare, nutrition and vocational training to the children of Afghanistan so they can be healthy and productive members of their community. In addition to the school in Jalalabad, IOC supports schools in Herat and medical clinics in Deh Sabz and Dogh Abad.
HRF Takes Part in “An Evening in Kabul” at George Washington University
“An Evening in Kabul” was a cultural event that took place in February 2011, showcasing the artistic talents of various Afghan organizations, poets, artists, musicians and students. During this memorable evening, hosted by the George Washington University Afghan Students Association (ASA), HRF presented its mission statement, goals and objectives of helping as many deprived Afghan orphans as possible. HRF’s message reminded everyone of the constant suffering endured by the disadvantaged and needy throughout Afghanistan.
In an effort to raise awareness, in addition to an oral presentation, HRF provided an assortment of informational handouts to the audience. During this evening HRF raised funds through the sale of T-shirts, HRF ribbons, and tins of our magnificent assortment of teas, generously provided by Kuval Select. Thanks to the generous contributions of attendees, HRF received over $2,000 in donations.
Drew Sohn, founder of Kuval Select, and Scott McNary, his business partner, were also in attendance and graciously served tea samples to event-goers.
Fall Festival at Bull Run Park Manassas, Virginia
In October 2010, HRF delivered smiles on children’s faces during the fall festival hosted by Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow (AEBT). HRF hosted a face painting booth filled with volunteers who hand-decorated each child’s face with flowers, hearts, butterflies and dragons. The hundreds of festival attendees were treated to a wide variety of delightful authentic Afghan cuisine, entertained by talented musicians, a fashion show, art shows, and were enlightened by notable speakers and poets. We were thrilled to participate and to have this opportunity to inform the community of our long-term goal of establishing a school for orphans in Afghanistan.
Winter Campaign at Sana Orphanage
HRF continues its financial support of the Sana Orphanage – A total grant of $2,500 was extended to Sana in the early part of this year. The money allowed Sana to provide the orphanage with essential daily necessities such as clothing, food, and helped improve their quality of life by expanding educational opportunities for over 50 children. Like many orphanages across Afghanistan, Sana is struggling to provide for the most basic needs of children in its care and they work tirelessly to ensure a better future for them. Securing sustainable sources of funding is an enormous challenge. HRF is committed to using its resources to help under-funded and under-staffed orphanages such as Sana provide educational supplies, food, clothing and medicines to its orphans. Through the generous contributions of our supporters, we will to continue to lend a helping when needed. Please find out how you can help through our website and donation program.
HRF’s First School for Orphans, a Step Closer to Reality
As we look to the remainder of 2011 and into 2012, HRF hopes to lay the groundwork for the establishment of its first orphans’ school. As the Afghan population continues to grow and civil strife unfortunately remains a reality in Afghan life, the need for such a school could never be more critical. A generous contributor has expressed a strong desire to donate land in Kabul Afghanistan for this ambitious effort and HRF is closely working with them to bring our dream of building this school to fruition. As you can imagine, this challenging multi-phased project will be burdened with significant costs and HRF will launch a yearlong fundraising campaign to ensure the project’s long-term success. Please consider donating to HRF, and stay tuned for additional information on upcoming events where you may find opportunities to help our efforts.
HRF featured on Voice of America
“Tragedy in the US Leads to Hope for Thousands in Afghanistan”
To read the article, please click here.
HRF E-News | Fall 2010:
HRF Spring 2010 Raffle, April 4th thru June 4th
Our very successful raffle resulted in over $5000 in donations, culminating in a drawing on June 5, 2010, graciously hosted by The Reserve in Washington DC. HRF’s spring campaign helped support the Orphans & Widows Association located in Kabul, Afghanistan. Through the generous contributions of our supporters, HRF provided funds to OWA which enabled them to purchase books, classroom furniture, audiovisual equipment and computers to help advance the education and development of some 150 orphans. HRF will also continue to provide resources and help maintain a children’s library dedicated to Ms. Homaira Rahman that we helped establish in late February 2010.
HRF offered the following donated prizes to raffle contestants:
- Grand Prize: Asus Eee PC Netbook
- 1st Place: $300 US Airways Gift Card
- 2nd Place: $200 Visa Gift Card
- 3rd Place: $150 Amazon.com Gift Card
Raffle Winners
- Grand Prize: Mamoon Zikria
- 1st Place: Mitra Madani
- 2nd Place: Sheila Anwari
- 3rd Place: Victoria Yaqub – Mrs. Yaqub generously donated her prize to HRF
HRF’s Fact-Finding Trip to Afghanistan
HRF President Ms. Roya Rahman traveled to Afghanistan in late April 2010 to review the organization’s current efforts and assess future projects that help support orphans in need. She visited different orphanages in Kabul and Kunduz, including a visit to the children’s library that is dedicated in Homaira’s name. This library, which was established by the Orphans and Widows Association, opened on February 26, 2010 in Kabul. It provides books, audiovisual equipment, computers and periodicals to help advance the education and development of some 150 orphans. Ms. Rahman’s stay in Kabul included stops at Jahan Orphanage, where HRF sponsors 11 children, and Mehan Orphanage, where Homaira herself sponsored a child. Through her travels in country, Ms. Rahman researched possible sites for building a school for orphans in both Kabul and Kunduz. Given the scope of this pending project, HRF will explore developing collaborative partnerships with one or more related non-profit organizations that are contributing positively to the plight of Afghan orphans.
HRF Tax Exempt Status Approved by the IRS
HRF is proud to announce that our tax exempt status has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The effective date of exemption is April 7, 2009. Your contributions to the Homaira Rahman Foundation (HRF) are now tax deductible.
Kuval Select to Honor Homaira’s Legacy
Kuval Select, the premiere one-stop shop for premium gourmet select coffees and teas, will be developing a special tea line dedicated exclusively to honor Homaira Rahman’s legacy and the cause she was so passionate for during her life: the orphans and needy children of war-torn Afghanistan. The Homaira tea line which will contain an assortment of flavors and aromas will be available for sale in the near future.
First Annual Winter Campaign
Winter supply distribution at Jahan & Sana Orphanage, December 2009
With the help of an ever growing donor community, we were fortunate to complete two very important projects during our first annual Winter Campaign. In a country experiencing extreme weather patterns and a struggling public infrastructure, we felt immediate support to providing basic needs for Afghanistan’s orphans should be our priority. These are children who have lost at least one parent and have no other adequate means of support and protection. Accordingly, we partnered with two deserving organizations — JAHAN operating in Kabul and Sana Orphanage in Kandahar — to provide their orphans with desperately needed clothing, blankets, and winter accessories, such as hats, gloves and socks for the winter months. 
Specifically, HRF provided contributions of $2700 for Sana, which reached 50 orphans, and $7020 for JAHAN, which impacted 83 orphaned families (415 children and widows), included a one year sponsorship for eleven orphans, and will help purchase clothing and blankets for a girls’ orphanage in Karte 4, Kabul. While we recognize that there is still so much work to accomplish, we were grateful for the opportunity to support at least 500 orphans and widows in need through these dedicated organizations.
HRF segment on Voice of America (VOA) Ashna TV aired December 27, 2009
A segment about HRF was aired on Voice of America’s Ashna TV on December 27, 2009 and included Dari and Pashtu interviews.
HRF’s Official Launch
On September 22, 2009, members of the Washington DC Metro Area donor community attended the official launch of the Homaira Rahman Foundation (HRF). Hosted by the HRF board of directors, this important event was used to formally announce the foundation’s existence and present its charter. Held at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus, the evening included a presentation highlighting HRF’s mission, its strategy, and forthcoming projects to support orphaned children in Afghanistan. Several poignant thoughts were also offered by close friends and family who dedicated their efforts to the organization’s namesake – Ms. Homaira Rahman. HRF received nearly $6000 in generous donations from supporters.
