An online school for girls whose school doors are closed

"Rather than accepting this reality, I decided to create a safe online learning space where girls could continue studying and keep hope for their future alive," Najla Noori says.

The reality she means is this. After the return of the Taliban, she says, millions of Afghan girls lost the opportunity to continue their education. Voice of Hope is her answer. She is its founder, and she describes it as an online education initiative for Afghan girls who have been denied access to secondary and higher education.

“Even when girls cannot access a classroom, we can still create opportunities for them to learn.”

Najla Noori

Today the school offers live online classes taught by volunteer teachers from different countries. It currently supports Grade 7 and accelerated Grade 10 students, with subjects such as English, mathematics, science and exam preparation. Beyond academics, she says, the aim is to build confidence and a supportive community "for girls who refuse to give up on learning."

Building it has not been easy. Funding, internet access and educational resources have all been challenges, she says, "but every class reminds us why this work matters."

"Seeing students continue their education despite enormous barriers motivates me to keep growing the program," she says.

She is still running it. Voice of Hope, she says, "is a message to every Afghan girl that even when school doors are closed, learning and hope can continue."