H.O.P.E.
for Afghanistan
Health. Opportunity. Power. Education.
OUR STORY
We are dedicated to promoting and providing to Afghans in need in the following key areas: education (especially for women), healthcare, gender equality, community development, and youth programs. We believe that improvements in said areas will help to sustain equitable social development and stability of Afghanistan.
We will work with reliable community-organized and community-sustained organizations with a
reputable record of service. Our partner-organizations were created by the community with minimum outside assistance and have been sustained primarily by the community. We believe that continued assistance to such institutions with a reputable history of service will have a lasting impact towards social and economic mobility and growth in Afghanistan.
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shukaria Rajabi, PRESIDENT/Founder
I was born in a war-torn country, Afghanistan. I vividly recall the hardships of war and the struggles it imposed. At the age of 10, my family sought refuge in Pakistan, where safety was assured but education for us refugees remained elusive. Due to the financial constraints, my siblings and I worked in rug-making factories for 7 am to 7 pm, six days a week. At the age of 13, I came to the USA with my family, arriving in Utah with only $100 and not a single word of English in my vocabulary.
Today, I proudly hold a degree from the University of Utah in Material Science and Engineering and work as a professional medical device engineer. Afghanistan remains close to my heart, and I have made it my mission to support Afghan women and children in Afghanistan. Having experienced the challenges of limited access to education during my childhood, my current focus is on providing education to Children in Afghanistan.
Join us in making a difference. Together, we can empower the youth of Afghanistan through education and pave the way for a brighter future.
Nazifa Rajabi
Financial Specialist
Good things are worth waiting for! Nazifa's story will be coming soon!
Rachel Oberg
Networking Specialist
I was born and raised in Utah with a family that valued education. Throughout childhood I remember loving school and always being excited about what I was learning. It shocked me when some of my classmates expressed doubt that they wanted or were able to go to college, because I had always taken for granted that everyone went to college. It didn't become clear to me until later how privileged I was to always have access to as much education and learning as I wanted.
In college I majored in Chemical Engineering, where I met Shukaria and Kim in a Biochemical Engineering class. I was paired up with Shukaria for our final project and got to know her over the course of the semester. It wasn't until near the end of the class that Shukaria told me her story and that she hadn't been able to go to school for years during her childhood. I had already been impressed by her work ethic and intelligence, but I was floored that she had made it so far with so many huge hurdles in her life. Most of all, I was so impressed and humbled by her passion for education.
When Shukaria told me years later after we had started our careers as medical device engineers that she wanted to start a non-profit to help other children like her get an education in Afghanistan, I knew I wanted to help her realize her goals. Having benefited so much from my own education, I feel strongly about the impact learning has on a child's future and am passionate about helping other children like Shukaria access their own education.
Kim Neff
WEB Designer
I was born in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. I was the youngest of 7 kids – 5 girls and 2 boys. Growing up, my parents were like magicians with what little income we had as a family – somehow there was always enough food to eat and a roof over our heads. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work. My dad had a labeling business down in the garage of our home, and when I was 3 years-old I was buying my own underwear from the money I earned doing my part (much to the mortification of my grandma). But what I have always valued most is learning.
As I got older, I realized that material possessions could be stolen, broken, or worn out. But my education was mine to keep, and the more I knew the more power I had to make a difference in the world. I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I currently work as an engineer at a medical device company. I know the difference education has made in my life, and know that by helping others to gain an education they too can experience the freedom and joy that comes when you learn how to help others realize their potential and the independence and power to dictate your own path in life.
GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS
