Erfan Abidi started the Empowerment Network (Circle 132) after arriving in Australia from Afghanistan, following the take-over by the Taliban. His intention was to provide funds for teachers and resources in order to provide clandestine education for girls in Afghanistan. His Circle has grown enormously and now supports 30-40 secret schools. There is a lot of work connecting students to teachers and the Circle is also working out how to give the girls credit for their educational achievements. The Empowerment Circle has managed to obtain scholarships for 7 girls to Lisbon University.
Erfan also gives advice to other organisations wanting to promote education for girls in Afghanistan using a similar model.
Erfan is finding it difficult to cope with all the work required and is looking for volunteers with the following skills:
- teachers for online teaching. The girls speak English.
- Administration
- Fundraising and marketing/awareness raising
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Erfan.
Read more about the impact of the Empowerment Circle: Afghanistan Girls’ Underground Network of Schools