Rumi Legacy Schools-A Legacy of Resilience

Dear Supporters,

My name is Wida Saber, and I am an Afghan women's rights activist. After fleeing the Taliban regime, I dedicated myself to empowering Afghan girls through education. For the past two years, I have been leading Rumi Legacy Schools, a beacon of hope for Afghan girls facing the harshest challenges under the renewed restrictions imposed by the Taliban.

The story of Rumi Legacy Schools begins long before the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021. It is a story rooted in the courage of those who dared to educate Afghan girls during the Taliban's first rule from 1995 to 2001. My parents, like many others, ran secret housing schools, defying the oppressive regime that sought to silence our daughters.

When the Taliban were overthrown in 2001, millions of Afghan girls were given a chance to dream again, to learn, and to shape their futures. However, the return of the Taliban in 2021 threatened to undo all these hard-won gains. But we refused to let history repeat itself without resistance.

In response to the renewed oppression, we founded the Rumi Secret Housing Project, now known as Rumi Legacy Schools. Our mission is clear: to provide education, resources, advocacy, and "paths forward" for Afghan girls. Our vision is simple yet bold—to create a world where every girl has the opportunity to pursue her dreams and contribute positively to society.

Starting with three clandestine schools in Kabul, we now educate over 358 courageous girls in grades 7-12, led by a team of fifteen dedicated women teachers. We are defying the Taliban's restrictions, nurturing dreams, and providing hope where it is desperately needed.

Our work is far from over. In 2024, we aim to expand our reach, adding 560+ students currently on our waiting list. But to achieve this, we need your help.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. A $100 donation covers a month's salary for one of our teachers and provides education for 15 aspiring students. Your support will also help us provide online learning through donated laptops and internet access, and facilitate scholarships for higher education.

We are proud to be a Virginia nonprofit, and while we are in the expedited process of applying for IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption, your contributions, though currently not tax-exempt, are vital. They directly impact the lives of Afghan girls, ensuring that their right to education is preserved and protected.

We are a dedicated group of Afghan and American professionals and activists, working tirelessly to keep the flame of education burning in Afghanistan. Due to extreme security concerns, some members of our Board and teachers cannot share their names, but their commitment is unwavering.

Our core values are excellence, integrity, self-autonomy, equity, accountability, transparency, courage, and compassion. We embody these values every day as we work to empower Afghan girls against overwhelming odds.

The journey of Rumi Legacy Schools is not just about education; it’s about resilience, hope, and the belief that every girl deserves a chance to learn, grow, and build a better future. Together, we can make this possible.

Your donation will be the lifeline these girls need. It will ensure that education remains a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. With your help, we can continue to defy the oppressive forces that seek to silence Afghan girls and instead empower them to rise, to learn, and to lead.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for being a beacon of hope for Afghan girls. Together, we can make a difference.

With deepest gratitude,

Wida Saber

Afghan Women’s Rights Activist

Founder, Rumi Legacy Schools