🏃‍♀️ Why I’m Running for Afghan Girls' Education

On May 11th, I’ll be running a half marathon as part of the Greenway Challenge to raise funds for secret schools for girls in Afghanistan — a cause that’s deeply personal to me.

As a British woman of South Asian heritage, I know how life-changing education can be — especially for girls.

It gave me freedom.

It gave me choice.

It gave me the chance to build a future.

But for millions of Afghan girls, education is no longer a right.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, girls in Afghanistan have been banned from going to school.

Their futures are being stolen — simply because they’re female.

Recently, I connected with Erfanullah Abidi, an Afghan refugee now living in Australia.

He’s one of the incredible voices behind the Empowerment Network (Circle 132) — a project run under Circle of Friends Australia Inc.

They work with trusted locals inside Afghanistan to run secret schools in hidden locations, giving girls the chance to learn, grow, and dream again.

These schools offer more than education.

They offer hope.

They provide employment to female teachers risking everything to teach the next generation.

They keep alive the belief that knowledge can still be a right — not a privilege.

I’m running to support this movement.

Your donation will help keep these schools running. Just £80 supports a class of 10 girls for a month — covering teachers, supplies, and safety.

Every pound raised helps these brave girls stay in school — even when the world tells them not to.

Let’s stand with them.

Let’s show them the world still cares.

Together, we can help light up futures that should never go dark.

https://cofa.org.au/2025/03/27/afghanistan-underground-girls-network-of-schools/

http://www.nhrr.org.uk/greenway-challenge.html

#LetAfghanGirlsLearn

👉 Donate now and be part of something powerful.