Help Afrah Zahid Transform Immigrant Education

Breaking Barriers in Education – My Harvard Journey

My name is Afrah Zahid, and I have dedicated my life to creating inclusive education opportunities for immigrant children in Japan. I was member of the founding team of International Islamia School Otsuka (IISO) in Tokyo, I have spent the past seven years working to ensure that children from diverse backgrounds receive a high-quality education and feel a true sense of belonging.

I grew up as an immigrant in Kuwait, where I saw firsthand how language barriers, social divisions, and limited opportunities affected children’s futures. Today, in Japan, I see many immigrant families facing similar challenges—children struggling with language, finances, and the feeling of being outsiders. Many of our students come from blue-collar families, and without strong educational support, their opportunities for higher education remain limited.

This is why I became part of the IISO founding team, joining a mission to provide a much-needed educational space for immigrant children. Our school started with just six students in 2017 and has now grown to 145 students from 13 nationalities.

We are a small community school you can find more about it here

https://www.iiso-edu.jp/

I have been a teacher and a school leader with big dreams—now, I need your support to turn them into reality.

✨Why Harvard?

I have been accepted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), an incredible opportunity that will equip me with the skills and knowledge to:

✅ Develop sustainable school leadership and curriculum strategies.

✅ Build stronger academic and social support systems for immigrant students.

✅ Expand IISO’s impact and successfully launch our first high school in 2025.

✅ Learn from global leaders in education policy, innovation, and inclusion.

✅ Serve as a role model for the students, showing them that big dreams are achievable.

✅ Forge global connections that will create future opportunities for students from immigrant communities.

This education will not just change my life, but transform the lives of hundreds of students who deserve the same chances as their peers.

Why I Need Your Support?

Harvard’s tuition expenses for one year total nearly $35,000 and while I am seeking scholarships and financial aid, I still need support to bridge the gap.

⚠️Your donation will help cover:

Tuition & Fees – $31472

Every dollar brings me closer to making this dream a reality—not just for me, but for the students I serve.

How You Can Help❤️

Donate – Any amount, big or small, makes a difference.

❤️Share – Please spread this campaign within your networks.

✨Support – Your encouragement means everything to me!

By investing in education, you are investing in a better future for immigrant children—a future where every child, regardless of background, has access to opportunity.

✨ Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and belief in this mission! ✨

With gratitude,

Afrah Zahid