Here is the video to Farkhunda's story

Farkhunda is a courageous young Afghan woman who has overcome extraordinary challenges to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Despite losing years of her education under the Taliban’s ban on women’s schooling, she never gave up hope.

Through her persistence and the sacrifices of her parents, she has now been awarded a scholarship by the Pakistani Higher Education Commission to study medicine in a MBBS in Pakistan. This scholarship is a lifeline, but to secure her admission and begin her studies, she must first cover the $6,000 admission fee.

Without this support, she risks losing her place, her education, and her freedom. Returning to Afghanistan would mean being forced into marriage against her will and giving up her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.

Farkhunda has written her own words to share her story with you:

My name is Farkhunda, and since childhood, I have carried one dream in my heart: to wear the white coat of a doctor and save lives.

But my path has been filled with pain. When the Taliban closed our universities, I had just started my studies in medicine, but suddenly, it was all taken away. For four long years, I was trapped at home, hopeless. During those years, I felt crushed under the constant pressure of the Taliban and our relatives to marry someone. But I fought. I resisted. I wanted my freedom.

At last, I came to Pakistan through my parents’ sacrifices. Even though they, too, were under immense pressure, they chose to support me. I come from a large family of eleven, and my father is only a simple mine worker, earning very little. My mother even sold her only marriage necklace to help me. With their courage, and with my strong hard work and dedication, I was able to continue my studies and was accepted again into medicine. For the first time in years, I felt light and freedom.

But my freedom is fragile. To start my medical studies, I must pay $6,000 for admission. Without it, I will lose everything again. I will be forced to return to Afghanistan and there, I will be forced to marry someone I do not even know, not even his name. He will be mostly a member of the Taliban, or somebody else chosen for me. If I go back, my dream dies, my freedom dies, and a part of me will die too.

This is my last hope. Your support can protect me and give me the chance to become a doctor. Every contribution, no matter how small, is not just helping me, it is defending a young woman’s right to education and freedom.

One day, I promise, I will stand beside those in need just as you are standing beside me now.

Your donation, no matter the amount, is not just helping one young woman, it is defending education, freedom, and the belief that every girl deserves the chance to follow her dreams.