We are the (MEF) team — women standing together to raise our voices for women who have been silenced. We are raising funds on behalf of Maryam Empowering Futures (MEF), Scotland’s first Afghan female-led registered charity organisation, to support humanitarian projects in Afghanistan and to help deliver our Annual Afghan-Scottish Fundraising & Cultural Event on 29 January 2026 at the City Chambers.

MEF has established a strong foundation of work in Scotland, empowering women, children, and young people through education, wellbeing, and community initiatives. Building on this experience, we are now seeking support to extend our humanitarian work to Afghanistan, where the need is urgent and life-changing.

All funds raised through this GoFundMe will be used exclusively for our Afghanistan-focused projects and for the delivery of our annual fundraising event.

These funds will not be used for MEF’s programmes or operational work in Scotland.

Why Afghanistan Needs Support

In Afghanistan, access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods remains extremely limited, particularly for women and children. Families must pay for even the most basic medical treatment, many women with valuable skills lack the tools to earn an income, and countless girls are at risk of losing their education due to poverty and lack of resources.

Our proposed projects are purely humanitarian, non-political, and designed to meet urgent human needs while respecting local conditions and communities.

How the Funds Will Be Used

1. MEF Lifeline Health Initiative

We plan to support women, children, and elderly people who cannot afford essential medical treatment, medication, or urgent procedures. Even a single medical intervention can mean the difference between life and death for a family.

2. MEF Women’s Skills Empowerment Project

We aim to support women who already have skills such as tailoring, embroidery, carpet weaving, and handicrafts by providing basic tools and materials. This will allow them to earn an income with dignity and support their families.

3. MEF Education & Scholarships for Women and Girls

Primary education for girls (up to Grade 6) is officially permitted in Afghanistan, yet many girls still cannot attend school because their families cannot afford uniforms, books, pens, and other essential supplies. We plan to provide school kits so poverty does not block access to education.

For older girls and young women whose education has been interrupted or denied, we aim to:

• Support safe online learning opportunities in collaboration with trusted partners inside Afghanistan, including education initiatives delivered through platforms connected to Radio Naz.

• Contribute toward payments for online teachers delivering these classes.

• Provide laptops and internet access for girls who wish to participate but lack the necessary equipment.

• Create scholarship pathways for women whose university education was never started or was interrupted, including support for continuing higher education where safe and possible, both within Afghanistan and abroad.

4. Annual Afghan-Scottish Fundraising & Cultural Event – 29 January 2026

Part of the funds raised will support the organisation of our annual Afghan-Scottish cultural and fundraising event at the City Chambers. Delivered in collaboration with partner organisations, this event will celebrate Afghan-Scottish culture through food, community, and cultural exchange while raising vital funds for humanitarian work in Afghanistan.

Our Belief

We believe that saving one life can save an entire family.

Empowering one woman can strengthen a whole community.

Educating one girl can change the future of a nation.

Suffering knows no borders, religion, or nationality — and neither does compassion. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us move one step closer to turning these plans into life-saving realities.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting a humanitarian mission built on dignity, hope, and humanity.