The scholarship program in Afghanistan currently supports 6 students. This page is to present our current scholars as well as our alumni’s personal history of success and to deliver an insight in Afghan live.

Fardina

Since April 2014, Fardina has been studying economics at the University of Herat. For her voluntary work, she wants to teach English in a children’s orphanage. Furthermore, she aims to organize a class for girls, in which newspapers are read and current events are discussed.

Sara

Sara, who has been studying English Language and Literature since April 2014, plans to hold English lectures as her social project, for which she intends to practise participative teaching techniques not used in Afghan schools. After her studies, her vision is to establish a “Women’s English and Computer Centre”, educating women in both English and Computing skills.

Sayed

Since April 2013, Sayed has been a student of English Language and Literature. His project aims to reduce illiteracy, fight for human rights and explain them to his people. Enabling more children in rural areas to attend school is his objective after graduating. To achieve this, Sayed wants to advise parents about the importance of education for both girls and boys and collect donations to help with financing.

Wahid

Wahid has been studying English Language and Literature since April 2013. He aspires to offer further education to future teachers, especially focusing on new teaching methods. Subsequently to his studies he intends to expand this project to other cities in Afghanistan.

Stories of our alumnis

Get an insight in the life of our afghan scholarship holders and read their texts explaining what the scholarship meant to them through our alumni’s personal success stories here:

• Hakim

  A student from zero point to the university period in Afghanistan

  Afghanistan is a place no one can imagine to come to live and to see what is going on here. I would like to tell you a bit of my previous life as one of an Afghan resident who has encountered lots of difficulties. When I was fifteen years old and in eighth grade in 2007, I didn’t know anything about my future, because during that time there were no high schools in the village and my family couldn’t support me to go to town to continue my studies. I lost my father in this time. After my graduation from secondary school, the elder of the village brought me to the city, and introduced me to an orphanage. He encouraged me to go on with my studies. It was difficult, but I could continue my studies in the city. Studying at high school was like a dream for me.

  Finally, I graduated from high school in 2010, passed the Kankor examination (University Entrance Exam), and the Faculty of Education in Herat province selected me. Although it was a big success for me, I was not able to continue with classes. I faced complicated challenges, because I couldn’t stay in the orphanage any longer and I didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who would support me. One day later I decided to leave Afghanistan and go to work in Iran, but one of my close friends Zeyaulhaq told me that there is an NGO that has training classes for the refugees, the destitute.

  The next day, I sadly went to that NGO, asked them if they could help me. They could only keep me in their electric class for six months, I accepted and they let me stay in their camp which was for the refugee families. After some time they found out that I was a university student and they changed my class from electric class to secretary class, which was for educated beneficiaries.

  In January 2014, I applied for SOG (studies without borders org.) scholarships, because I was looking for financial support, I needed more funds for my studies here at the university. I was accepted for the SOG scholarship and it is a distinct honor for me and I am swelling in pride that I am one of the scholarship holders of SOG. SOG was supporting me in 2014 for my studies at Herat University, and I graduated from Herat University in early December 2014.

  During the time of the SOG program I have done some charitable works, I have launched an English course in the dormitory of Herat University, about 20 students graduated from English course in early November 2014.

  None of my family members, neither my father nor my mother, were educated, but I could improve my level of education from zero point up to now, without any funds from my family.

  I think self-improvement doesn’t require an improved country; any one in any country or region can develop their studies, our outstanding motivations are what we need to be ready for our self-development, and waiting for us just to take actions. When I think of my past I wonder what would have happened to me if I hadn’t become a university graduate student. For this, I always thank God and the people who helped me.

  Best regards,
  
  Abdul Hakim Faizy, 2014

• Najibullah

  I was born and grew up in Herat, Afghanistan. My aim in life is to acquaint myself with many cultures and to continue my education up to PhD degree in order to expand my knowledge and skills. I would like to be part of the development of my community which gave me the motivation to use any chances available now.
  I applied for SOG when I heard about it because it appeared as the perfect opportunity to achieve the aims I have been searching in life – communication and having great friends abroad. Besides, I was sure that this program will help me in having the opportunity to get my master degree. So after being awarded for the SOG scholarship I started my volunteer work in a variety of activities beyond my field of study, those activities I feel passion for and where I am self-motivated, like teaching, doing research, running a new accreditation test center at Herat university, raising health related awareness in social media, culture related issues in communication and participating in many video conferences with foreign universities, in workshops and in debate tournaments at Afghanistan.

  The SOG scholarship has helped me a lot in acquiring and developing my leadership, communication, and public speaking skills during my volunteer work as TA (Professor Assistant) at Herat University, teacher at LLC (Lincoln Learning Center), active debate member and judge at APT, a social enclosure in many events, and as health and safety publisher on a web page with over four thousand followers.

  Furthermore, I love to relax from work by playing, kickboxing and bodybuilding in my free time.
  Finally, I have got the opportunity now to work as an engineer, because of the charitable work done as SOG scholarship holder at TNCC (Tarha Naw Construction Company) where I worked when I was junior. I am planning to study a one year academic leadership program and to start my master degree afterwards, either in Urban Planning or Project Management.

  Best regards,
  
  Najubullah

• Sumaiyah

  I am Somaya Akhgar, wishing you best for life from western Afghanistan. I was born in an ordinary family.

  I finished my high school here in Herat with honors, I have always felt my responsibilities during that age, and it improved my level of confidence. Having completed High School in 2010, I participated in a University Entrance Exam. I was admitted to the Education Faculty of Herat University. It was a great moment in my life when I heard I was accepted in university. I have made every endeavor to pass University with honors. I just finished university studies and got my BA with great honor and currently I am planning to go abroad for further studies.

  I was always keen on studying abroad, so this feeling made me search on the Internet, find out about scholarships and fill out applications. It was my second year of studying at university when I heard about SOG scholarships. I really did know nothing about SOG programs and even didn’t ask anybody, the only thing that came to my mind was studying in Germany. This might be funny or a somehow stupid thing but while filling out any scholarship application I was just thinking about going to that country for my higher studies. Later when I was accepted for the SOG scholarship and read the Emails I received I found out this scholarship differs from others I applied to.

  Indeed it was different and special, the SOG program determined my way of thinking in which I could structure a special personal paradigm that made me unique from others. Before applying for a SOG scholarship I was just a student but today I teach over 50 students with full confidence, I was always in favor of helping my fellow citizens and people who are in need and the SOG team provided me with a way I can help my people, take a step toward developing and helping my country and recognize my ability.

  Best regards,
  
  Somaya Akhgar