{"id":51126,"title":"Education is our resistance : a message from Angela Ghayour, founder of Afghanistan Education Action","description":"Afghanistan Education Action (AEA) was founded by Angela Ghayour, a former teacher and advocate for girls\u2019 education in Afghanistan. After the Taliban closed schools for girls, Angela created the Herat Online School to keep learning alive. Despite threats and living in hiding, she leads AEA to provide education and hope to Afghan girls, believing their future is key to a better Afghanistan","content":"

Lighting the way: education as a path to freedom for young women & girls in Afghanistan<\/strong>

My name is Angela Ghayour, and I am the founder of Afghanistan Education Action (AEA). My journey has been shaped by hardship, resilience and an unyielding belief that education is the key to freedom - especially for the girls of Afghanistan.<\/p>

I was born in Herat, Afghanistan, but my early childhood was spent as a refugee in Iran. There, as a young girl, I was denied the very education that every child deserves. This denial did not break me; instead, it ignited a fire within me. I began teaching other refugee children the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic in my garden. I realised early on that education is not just about knowledge - it is about hope, empowerment and the right to shape one\u2019s future.<\/p>

When the Taliban took control of Herat in August 2021, everything changed overnight. The oppressive regime closed schools for girls and silenced voices like mine. But silence was never an option. I founded the Herat Online School to defy these restrictions and keep the flame of learning alive for girls who were suddenly barred from classrooms. What began as a modest virtual classroom has since grown, and through AEA, we officially registered as a charity in the UK and established two more online opportunities. There are our Persian school which fosters and channels students into more applied learning and AEA International School for recognised international achievement and studying, providing education beyond borders.<\/p>

Living under constant threat is a reality I have come to accept. Every week, I receive death threats, and for the safety of my children, I live quietly. Yet, these dangers have only strengthened my resolve. I carry the stories of my students with me - their dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, engineers. I know that the future of Afghanistan depends on educating its girls, not on the fear imposed by the Taliban.<\/p>

I have been deeply honoured to be recognised internationally, including being named one of the BBC\u2019s 100 Women in 2021 and an invitation to meet King Charles in 2025. But awards and recognition are only meaningful if they translate into real change on the ground. My mission - and that of everyone at AEA - is to ensure that Afghan girls never lose access to education, no matter the circumstances.<\/p>

To me, education is the most powerful form of resistance. It challenges oppression and builds the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. Every lesson taught, every girl empowered, is a step closer to reclaiming our country\u2019s future.

You can show your support by buying from this online store or donating directly to us at https:\/\/www.afghanistaneducationaction.org\/donate. Your solidarity and support truly mean the world.<\/p>

I call on the world to stand with us, to support Afghan girls who refuse to be silenced. Together, we can help light the path from darkness to hope.
<\/p>

\u2014 Angela Ghayour
Founder & CEO, Afghanistan Education Action<\/p>","urlTitle":"meet-our-founder-angela-ghayour","url":"\/blog\/meet-our-founder-angela-ghayour\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/meet-our-founder-angela-ghayour\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/aea.teemill.com\/blog\/meet-our-founder-angela-ghayour\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1754301177,"updatedAt":1754305395,"publishedAt":1754305394,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":405210,"name":"Afghanistan Education Action"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/fpubwyp4pnoujnpjyfimzpv3gtlbhv6vxerqueixuneqrbw4.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/fpubwyp4pnoujnpjyfimzpv3gtlbhv6vxerqueixuneqrbw4.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/fpubwyp4pnoujnpjyfimzpv3gtlbhv6vxerqueixuneqrbw4.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[],"labels":[]}