Shabana Basij‑Rasikh, founder of the School of Leadership of Afghanistan (SOLA), proudly unveiled the new permanent campus in Rwanda this week. The modest compound, shielded from public view for security reasons, will serve as a lasting home for the 122 Afghan girls currently enrolled.
From Kabul to Kigali: A Journey of Faith and Freedom
When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021, Basij‑Rasikh fled with a group of students and faculty, seeking a safe haven for education. Rwanda welcomed the school, allowing the displaced community to resume classes within days of arrival, first in a hotel before moving to the purpose‑built campus.
“These girls will never give up,” Basij‑Rasikh said, emphasizing the resilience that drives SOLA’s mission. The school’s presence in Rwanda underscores the urgent need for alternatives to the Taliban’s ban on secondary education for girls, which now leaves roughly 2.4 million Afghan girls without schooling.
Expanding Reach Through Technology
To serve those still in Afghanistan, SOLA launched SOLAx, an online learning platform that delivers the Afghan curriculum via WhatsApp. Developed by Basij‑Rasikh and her husband, Mati Amin, the app offers grades 6‑12 in Dari, Pashto, and English, with built‑in safeguards that let students delete chats and resume lessons with a PIN.
Since its 2024 debut, SOLAx has enrolled 41,000 students in Afghanistan and 76 other countries, despite limited smartphone access and unreliable internet. Most learners borrow devices from family members, yet they still find time to study between household duties.
Support From Global Philanthropists
SOLA’s work is funded entirely by donors worldwide. Notable supporters include Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, who praised the girls’ courage, and Melinda French Gates, who awarded Basij‑Rasikh a $20 million grant in 2024 to bolster women‑focused charities.
Basij‑Rasikh says the grant has been redirected to Afghan civil‑society groups operating in exile, reinforcing a broader ecosystem of aid for Afghan women and girls.
Looking Ahead
With the Rwanda campus, SOLA aims to double its enrollment capacity, though over 99 % of applications will still be declined due to limited space. Basij‑Rasikh remains committed to returning to Afghanistan, believing that the girls educated in exile will eventually lead the nation toward a brighter future.
“We are ready,” she affirmed. “We will continue to be here for Afghan families and girls, no matter the challenges.”
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
