Hear What Afghan Girls Have To Say

As we celebrate GPC’s second anniversary, my heart is filled with gratitude and love. Dear Robina Jan, you are not just our mentor—you are our light, our hope, and the reason we dare to dream again. No words can truly express how grateful I am for this precious gift of education. Before GPC, I felt like my dreams were slipping away, like the world had turned its back on us. But then, GPC became a ray of light in my darkest days. It gave me knowledge, confidence, and a sense of purpose that I thought I had lost. Every class, every lesson, every moment here reminds me that even when everything feels impossible, we still have the power to rise. GPC has changed my life in ways I never imagined. It has taught me that no matter how dark the world gets, we carry the light within us. We are strong, we are resilient, and we will keep learning, growing, and fighting for our right to education.

@girls_on_the_path_of_change

I have been working with Girls on the Path of Change (GPC) for over a year, leading the Educational Opportunities Department. This role has been one of the most meaningful experiences for me because it allows me to collaborate with an incredible international team. Working with people from different backgrounds has not only helped me grow as a leader but has also given me the opportunity to engage in cross-cultural exchange, teamwork, and communication on a global level. It’s inspiring to work with individuals who share the same passion for education and empowerment. Thanks to GPC for such an incredible opportunity. As the head of this department, we have successfully planned and conducted numerous webinars on topics such as scholarships, professional development, job applications (CV writing, email writing), and college applications (recommendation letter writing, personal statements) in most of which I myself have been the presenter. We have also invited guest speakers from different fields to provide diverse perspectives, ensuring our students receive valuable insights. What excites me the most is the impact we’ve made—we’ve reached and supported both girls and boys, helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys. Thanks to GPC for being such an incredible organization, bringing youth from around the globe to make a difference in the world. Beyond organizing webinars, I am also deeply committed to teaching. I have taught English with GPC before, and I continue to do so because I genuinely love sharing knowledge. Teaching is more than just a responsibility for me—it’s a passion. What makes it even more meaningful is that, through my classes, I also have the opportunity to raise awareness about important global issues. I regularly talk to my students about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping them understand their significance and how we can all contribute to achieving them. I believe that awareness is the first step toward change—before we can act, we must first understand. By integrating discussions about SDGs into my lessons, I feel that I am contributing to something much bigger: empowering young people not only with language skills but also with the knowledge and motivation to make a difference in the world. Looking ahead, my team and I have ambitious plans to expand our efforts, introduce new programs, and reach even more students. I am excited about what’s to come and deeply grateful to be part of a mission that is making a real difference.

@girls_on_the_path_of_change

I am so existing about sharing my success story of GPC class. You know , it hasn't been too much time that I have been joining at GPC class, but I have learned and achieved a half of assets that I wished. GPC class is not only place to enhance our education, yet it is also the place that we can meet new people and have friends from another country ( USA ) and it is where I found more incentive to pursue my education and to do not stop painting. after I posted some patterns of my artworks, My GPC Friends , OSA friends, and my teacher( professor Jay Villagomez) gave me motivations by their kind words that they caused I continue to paint more and more. Moreover, this class has provided more informations that I have needed. The teacher who makes the sources for classes that is amazing. Those sources are responsible for improving our informations that we have from anything. It is all about things that I have ever learned and achived from my dear teacher and my dear friends.Thanks millions of my resilient friend( Suhaila) to joined me at this group.

@girls_on_the_path_of_change

I was born as a refugee in Pakistan. I was fortunate enough to return to my homeland, Afghanistan but after the Taliban’s return, I was once again forced to leave. It has been one of the most difficult periods of my life, a battle for survival, for identity, and simply to stay alive.
Despite all the challenges, I refused to give up. I wanted to do something for my Afghan sisters, girls and women who have been stripped of all their basic human rights. Over the past two years, I have used the proceeds from selling my paintings to purchase art supplies and cover internet costs so I could teach art therapy to more than 200 Afghan girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Through art, they have learned to process their emotions, express themselves, and find strength during dark times.
For me, painting is not just a form of art, it is my weapon of resistance. Through my work, I strive to preserve the stories, struggles, and dreams of Afghan women. In every space and platform I’ve had, I’ve tried to amplify their voices. My greatest hope is that one day, they will live with full human rights, and that no one else will have to flee their homeland like I did.

With love, Hasina (Darya),
the Refugee artist

@girls_on_the_path_of_change