How I Empower Afghan Girls with Free Education
Not-for-profit
Afghanistan
18 Years
I’m Mohadessa, 18 years old from Afghanistan. I transformed my personal struggle into a beacon of hope for Afghan girls denied education. Daricha provides free, quality education to girls in Afghanistan who have been denied access to formal schooling. We started our business in February 2024.
What inspired you to start your own business?
When the Taliban banned girls from schools, my world collapsed.I fell into deep depression and my future seemed bleak. I wasn’t able to continue my studies, and it felt like there was no hope.However, my friends who had moved out of Afghanistan were my saviour.They started teaching me what they were learning in their schools, which became a lifeline for me and rekindled my passion to learn. That experience inspired me to create a platform like Daricha—a place where girls who are deprived of education can continue to learn, just as my friends helped me.
How did you go from idea to product? Take us through your process of starting and building your business.
The idea began as a desire to help girls continue their education remotely. I collaborated with educators from India and the UK to design a curriculum that met international standards. We started with a small team of volunteers and gradually built a global network of over 200 tutors. Our initial focus was on core subjects like math, English, and science, and we used platforms like Zoom to deliver lessons.
Launching Daricha involved extensive outreach to potential tutors and securing support from communities passionate about education. I began by recruiting volunteers from my network and expanding through social media. We conducted pilot classes to test our curriculum and teaching methods, and once we saw the positive impact, we officially launched the program.
What are the lessons you have learned?
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The importance of persistence: Starting an initiative in challenging circumstances requires resilience.
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The power of collaboration: Building a global network of volunteers has been key to our success.
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Flexibility: Adapting to the needs of students and tutors has helped us improve continuously.
How are you funding your startup?
Daricha is a nonprofit organization, so we don’t generate revenue. We rely on donations and volunteer support to sustain our work.
How did you grow your business? And get your first customers?
We grew by leveraging social media to reach girls and their families in Afghanistan. Word-of-mouth played a significant role as families shared their experiences with others. We also partnered with grassroots organizations to spread the word. Over time, our reputation for providing quality education helped us attract more students.
What advice do you have for budding founders?
Start with a clear purpose and stay committed to your mission. Build a strong network of supporters and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Finally, be adaptable and open to learning from challenges.
Where can we find you?
Book Recommendations
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Becoming by Michelle Obama
