I am raising funds to help a young Afghan woman I mentor through the Columbia University Afghan Student Alliance safely travel to Germany, where she has been offered the chance to resume her university education after years of being barred from studying under Taliban rule.

For security reasons, I cannot share her name publicly. Women who pursue education, particularly those involved in informal teaching initiatives, remain at risk of Taliban retaliation.

Before the Taliban banned women from higher education, she was studying engineering in Afghanistan and had distinguished herself as an excellent student. When universities were closed to women in 2021, her education was abruptly cut short. Rather than abandoning her goals, she continued studying independently while searching for ways to continue her education abroad.

Over the past several years, she taught herself English in preparation for applying to international programs and scholarships. At the same time, she quietly organized and taught in a small underground school for girls in her community who were no longer permitted to attend school.

She has now earned a scholarship opportunity in Germany that will cover her tuition and living expenses while she studies engineering. It is a rare and hard-won opportunity, one that reflects both her academic ability and her persistence over the past several years.

The remaining challenge is simply getting there.

Under current Taliban restrictions, she cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by her father to Pakistan for the visa process. Because of rising tensions and instability affecting travel between Afghanistan and Pakistan, visa and travel costs have increased substantially in recent months.

We are seeking to raise $5,000 to cover:

* Two visas for travel through Pakistan ($2,000 each)

* Travel expenses to Pakistan ($300)

* Travel from Pakistan to Germany ($700)

This funding would allow her to leave Afghanistan safely and begin the next stage of her education and life. All funds will be sent directly to the EU-based non-profit organization that is arranging my mentee's travel to Germany and has been facilitating her university application process.

Any contribution, no matter the amount, would make a meaningful difference. Sharing the campaign also helps enormously. Thank you for supporting her future.