From War to Hope: Andeisha’s Journey to Empowering Others
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 (www.afceco.org), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization based in Kabul.
Having spent her formative years in refugee camps, Andeisha overcame relentless adversity, igniting her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Through her organization, she has positively influenced the lives of over 5,000 orphans and 200 widows, establishing numerous orphanages in Afghanistan and refugee camps. These havens not only provide shelter and care but also invaluable opportunities for personal growth and development.
In 2016, Andeisha moved to the United States with her two children to facilitate her daughter Nehal’s cochlear implant surgery after she was diagnosed with profound deafness.
Andeisha’s dedication and achievements have garnered well-deserved recognition as a trailblazing force in global social development and women’s empowerment. She has been honored with prestigious awards from 2010 Global Leadership Award of Vital Voices, The Goldman Sachs & Fortune Global Women Leaders Mentoring Award at Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2010. She was the recipient of the 2013 DVF Award from Diane von Furstenberg and the Diller von Furstenberg Family Foundation and one of the finalists for the Aspen Ideas Award 2015. Andeisha won the Person of the Year award through a national wide poll by Radio Azadi, the leading media in Afghanistan and Supreme Master TV awarded her Shining World Compassion Award. CNN and Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News made many stories on Andeisha’s works which resulted her with hundreds of sponsors and supporters in the US and Europe.
Andeisha was also invited to attend a summit on entrepreneurship hosted by Barack Obama, where the President found her story compelling enough to mention in his speech to the entire community:
“Andeisha Farid, an extraordinary woman from Afghanistan, who’s taken great risks to educate the next generation, one girl at a time. Together, they point the way to a future where progress is shared and prosperity is sustainable.”
Women Economic Forum of the ALL Ladies League awarded Andeisha the Global Women Peace Leaders of the Decade in 2015:
“In recognition of your outstanding leadership for humanity and peace, and for your caring and concern for social inclusion and service to society, the ALL Ladies League – Women Economic Forum would be pleased to confer on you the award of “Global Women Peace Leaders of the Decade”. You are among the select distinguished leaders worldwide who will be conferred this prestigious award. We are aware that you have received many awards, but perhaps this would be a pioneering one from an international and diverse all-women’s chamber committed to the inclusive vision of uniting the world through women’s leadership.” Women Economic Forum of the ALL Ladies League
Jill Ischol narrated Andeisha’s biography in her book ‘Hearts on Fire book’.
In the face of extraordinary adversity and the challenging climate she faces in Afghanistan today, Andeisha acts as an integral part of her country’s efforts to rebuild, educating the next generation of leaders who will lead their nation forward. In addition to providing children a safe and nurturing environment, Andeisha’s AFCECO instills important leadership values of tolerance and an appreciation for education in Afghanistan’s future generations. In this way, Andeisha believes that AFCECO’s principles and policies better position their children for future success, and on an even greater scale, enabling them to shape to a more tolerant and prosperous future for Afghanistan.
