AFCECO’s Vision
for the Next Generation
AFCECO vision extends far beyond traditional childcare. Our safehouses, previously orphanages, are not just shelters providing basic necessities for impoverished children; they are more enlightenment enclaves where the next generation of Afghan citizens are raised intellectually and morally, providing an environment distinct from their homes, schools, or surroundings. Here, we teach the values of diversity, freedom of thought, and uphold principles of justice, democracy, and gender equality. Our values are not hollow platitudes; they are the bedrock upon which our educational philosophy is built.
The Afghan Child Education and Care Organization (AFCECO), an Afghan non-profit, is devoted to empowering girls by ensuring they have safe living conditions and the necessary resources, thereby guaranteeing access to high-quality education despite the barriers imposed by the Taliban regime. Following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 2021, AFCECO has been compelled to operate covertly. Its orphanages, once vibrant centers of activity of learning, have been converted into hidden safehouses.
AFCECO was established by Andeisha Farid, who spent her own childhood in a refugee camp. In 2004, the organization initiated a sustainable child sponsorship program in collaboration with the US-based CharityHelp International (CHI). This partnership has been instrumental over the past two decades, enabling AFCECO to bring thousands of Afghan children from remote regions to its orphanages in major cities, where they received specialized education in addition to their regular schooling. With the Taliban's return to power, AFCECO has had to shift from its once-public operations to a a clandestine mode of functioning.
Before the Taliban's seizure of Kabul, AFCECO was at the forefront of providing comprehensive educational and cultural programs for children and youth across Afghanistan. Our orphanages, which accommodated 70 to 100 children each, served as the heart of our operations, nurturing the minds and spirits of those in our care.
The unexpected resurgence of the Taliban compelled AFCECO to adapt swiftly. We transitioned from our once public-facing programs to a more clandestine mode of operation. In this new reality, we've placed an intensified focus on girls' education, transforming our orphanages into a network of covert safehouses.
Safehouses:
We've established a series of discreet safehouses by renting small houses and apartments that each shelter 8 to 15 girls. To maintain secrecy from neighbors and the Taliban, these residences are designed to blend in as ordinary family homes. Former AFCECO staff members reside with their families alongside the girls, fostering a sense of normalcy and community. We also endeavor to group children from the same regional backgrounds together to minimize suspicion.
Remote Learning:
Each safehouse is outfitted with high-speed internet, solar power, and digital devices such as laptops and tablets. This infrastructure supports our remote learning program, where volunteers from the United States and Europe deliver education to the girls through online platforms.
Scholarship Program
In light of the Taliban's ban on female university students, our scholarship program has become a lifeline for many. We assist former AFCECO students in continuing their higher education, whether remotely or by attending classes in person abroad. Through partnerships with U.S. institutions, we facilitate scholarships that enable these young women to study in American colleges.<.p>
Family Support
Over two decades, AFCECO has employed a significant number of men and women from impoverished backgrounds. The closure of our orphanages due to the Taliban's rule left many without employment. To alleviate some of their hardship, AFCECO dedicates a portion of our general fund to provide essential financial assistance to the most needy among these families.
- Embrace diversity and recognize that every individual is unique, with their own thoughts and beliefs.
- Uphold justice, democracy and freedom of thought, acknowledging that no human being is superior to any other because of wealth, color, language, race, location or religion.
- Emphasize the importance of listening to others' ideas, respecting teamwork, and working towards common goals.
- Respect all religions, understanding that faith is a private matter and should not be coerced or exploited.
- Reject gender discrimination and advocate for equal opportunities for all genders. AFCECO vehemently opposes misogynistic practices such as forced marriage, bride selling, honor killings, strict dress codes, and gender-based education and employment bans.
- Value the sanctity of life and strive to implement this principle in everyday actions. Advocate for environmental conservation, understanding that peace is intricately linked with the preservation of our planet and its biodiversity.
- Promote the idea that planet earth belongs to all human beings, regardless of location, and everyone must work to make it a better place to live.
- Make peace a priority over conflict and promote peace by learning other countries’ cultures, and learn that living in peace and harmony is the only right way for human beings.
AFCECO is now guided by a team of four young women, all of whom were raised in the AFCECO orphanages. Jamshid Farid, who alongside Andeisha Farid laid AFCECO's foundations, serves as a mentor and advisor to this young team. Each member of the team has been with AFCECO for over 15 years, with Mahbooba and Pashtana being the first children to join the orphanage in 2003. This team represents diverse ethnicities: Mahbooba brings perspectives from the Nuristani community, Sahar from the Uzbek, and Pashtana from the Pashtun.
It is important to note that all AFCECO team members are volunteers and do not receive any financial compensation or benefits.
The fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021 led to the closure of AFCECO's main office in Kabul. Consequently, key team members have relocated abroad while continuing to supervise AFCECO programs remotely.
Mahbooba Siraj
Pashtana Rasol
Aisha Nabi
Andeisha Farid
Andeisha Farid is a global young leader, renowned social entrepreneur and businesswoman, and dedicated advocate for women’s rights. She emerged as a resilient survivor from the ravages of war and went on founding AFCECO.
Empowering Future, Defying Odds:
For over two decades, AFCECO stands strong as beacon of hope, offering girls in Afghanistan a safe home and the fundamental right to education amidst challenges. Embrace this noble cause with us -every child deserve a chance to thrive.
Sponsorship
Sponsor a girl in Afghanistan to support her safety and education at an AFCECO safe house. Click below to choose from waiting Afghan girls for sponsorship.
Gift Catalog
Choose a gift for an Afghan girl, such as a backpack, or select livestock to support an Afghan woman’s livelihood. Click below to browse our Gift Catalog.
Donation
Your donation to the AFCECO General Fund sustains our safe houses in Afghanistan for girls. Contribute once or set up a recurring donation today.
Meet Afghan girls that
are awaiting sponsorship
AFCECO Child Sponsorship Program
In collaboration with CharityHelp International (CHI), AFCECO launched the Child Sponsorship program in 2004, marking the beginning of our commitment to providing a nurturing environment for children in our orphanages, now referred to as safehouses. Over the years, this program has been instrumental in providing a supportive environment for thousands of children, with hundreds successfully graduating and pursuing higher education.
How does sponsorship work at AFCECO?
We use a dedicated software designed specifically for child sponsorship. We upload profiles of selected children along with their photos, making them available for sponsorship. Once a child is sponsored, we receive immediate notification. If the child is already residing in one of our safehouses, we inform them about their new sponsor, and with the assistance of an AFCECO staff member, they begin corresponding through letters.
For children not currently in our safehouses, we swiftly arrange for their move to one of our safe houses, or back then orphanages. Upon arrival, the child is provided with essential items such as bedding, new clothes, school uniforms, shoes, and other necessities, enabling them to start afresh in a safe environment.
All donations or sponsorship funds intended for AFCECO are directed to the account of CharityHelp International (CHI), a registered charity in the US with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. CHI deducts a 10% fee to cover administrative costs and then forwards the remaining amount to AFCECO on a monthly basis, following an official funding request submitted by AFCECO, which details expected expenses. AFCECO ensures that the funds are spent only on items and services approved in the funding requests by CHI, guaranteeing that the money is used for its intended purpose.
AFCECO has established a communication channel for sponsors to interact directly and regularly with their sponsored children, who can correspond via emails and arrange video calls. To facilitate this, each safehouse is equipped with laptops and enjoys a reliable Internet connection. Our communication officers, who also reside in the same safehouses as the children, supervise these interactions. Sponsors receive the contact information of these officers for smooth communication.
Moreover, sponsors are invited to reach out to the communication officer or any member of the management team, including the Director, with any inquiries or concerns about AFCECO or their sponsored children. At AFCECO, we prioritize transparency and open communication, ensuring sponsors have the necessary channels to stay informed and engaged in their sponsorship journey.
How do you select children?
AFCECO has established connections with various communities over the years.Typically, community leaders recommend children for our sponsorship program. These children often come from challenging backgrounds, including families impacted by war, poverty, or drug addiction, as well as areas with limited access to education. Following an initial assessment, profiles of these children along with their photos are posted on our website for sponsorship consideration.Where does the money go?
All funds from sponsorships and donations are pooled into the AFCECO operational budget, covering expenses such as education, health care, rent, staff salaries, food, utilities, and essential items for the children, including clothing and bedding. While individual sponsors generously donate for specific children, our commitment to equality dictates that we allocate resources without bias. Every child under our care, whether sponsored or not, receives equal access to these resources. We firmly believe that no child should be left behind due to sponsorship status, recognizing that many are either partially sponsored or without a sponsor altogether.It is worth mentioning that AFCECO operates with minimal administrative costs, ensuring that the vast majority of funds directly benefit the children’s needs. There are no high paid executives, no expensive travel packages, no consultant fees, no fringe benefits, no advertising costs, no tinted windowed state-of-the-art SUVs. AFCECO management team are all unpaid volunteers. With AFCECO, your donation doesn’t get lost in bureaucracy or overhead. Every dollar is a direct investment in the future of these children, ensuring that their well-being and education are prioritized above all else.
How the sponsors be ensured about transparency?
Ensuring transparency for our sponsors and donors is a top priority at AFCECO, and we’ve implemented several measures to provide comprehensive insight into how their contributions are utilized.Firstly, we facilitate open lines of communication between sponsors and their sponsored children through monthly letters and occasional video calls. This direct interaction allows sponsors to inquire about various aspects of the children’s lives, from their experiences at the safehouses to their progress in education.
Additionally, sponsors receive periodic newsletters from AFCECO, which offer updates on the children’s well-being and achievements. These newsletters serve as a means to keep sponsors informed and engaged in the organization’s activities.
Moreover, we uphold rigorous financial accountability through our partnership with CharityHelp International (CHI). Detailed financial reports are provided to CHI, who then conducts audits by directly engaging with our staff in Kabul and the children. This ensures that all expenditures are thoroughly documented and align with our mission of serving the children’s needs.
Before the Taliban’s takeover, Paul Stevers, the Chairperson of CHI, regularly visited AFCECO in Kabul, dedicating considerable time to personally review our bookkeeping and receipts. Despite the challenges posed by current circumstances, Mr. Stevers continues to maintain oversight through Zoom calls with our staff, ensuring that transparency and accountability remain paramount.
In essence, our commitment to transparency extends across all facets of our operations, from facilitating direct communication between sponsors and children to maintaining meticulous financial records audited by reputable organizations. We understand the importance of trust and strive to uphold the highest standards of transparency in all our endeavors.How do you ensure girls are safely housed and educated despite Taliban restrictions?
Following the Taliban’s ascension, we strategically adapted our operations to the changing political climate by transitioning from large orphanages to smaller, inconspicuous safehouses. We have initiated home-based classes and remote learning, and discreetly enrolled girls in private schools for grades six and above, maintaining their education without attracting Taliban attention.To further shield the girls from detection, we house them in small residences or apartments, typically accommodating 8-15 individuals along with a host family. This setup creates the illusion of an ordinary household, significantly reducing the chances of raising suspicions among neighbors or attracting unwanted attention from the Taliban.
What happens when the children turn 18?
Children stay at our safehouses, back then the orphanages, until they complete their high school education, typically up to 12th grade, regardless of whether they are over 18 years old. During their final years, we support them in preparing for their college entrance exams, known as the Kankor Exams. Fortunately, a significant number of our children, including girls, who have completed high school, have successfully enrolled in various universities. Those admitted to state universities also benefit from free dormitory accommodations.Our first cohort of graduates was in 2014, and since then, we have witnessed between 10 to 20 students graduating from high school each year. Some of these graduates have chosen to remain with AFCECO, contributing to the organization’s initiatives and assisting younger children, in exchange for support with their ongoing educational expenses. Notably, AFCECO’s current management team, including the Director, consists of graduates who oversee all operations from start to finish, underscoring the success and impact of our educational programs in fostering capable leaders from within our own community.
Support Girls’ Safehouses: Contribute to Sustainability
Goal: $30k
Regrettably, in the fiscal year 2024/2025, we face a budget deficit of $30,000 across all our safehouses due to numerous unsponsored girls under our care. Our reliance on monthly sponsorships alone falls short of providing essential resources for the safety and education of these girls. Your contribution to the Safehouse Sustainability Fund will help close this gap.
Empowering Afghan Youth through Tele-Education
Goal: $25k
In response to the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education, AFCECO introduces a tele-education program for young adult Afghan girls aged 18 to 25, enabling them to pursue successful careers. Your contribution to this fund will also enhance remote learning in Kabul’s safehouses, ensuring quality education and reliable technology for the girls under our care.
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