Silhouette of a woman in hijab against the light

Living Wisdom · Afghanistan High School

They banned her from school.
She found another one.

A free, accredited online high school for Afghan women denied education under Taliban rule. Their stories — and their courage — are here.

Courage

Featured · October 2025

On Courage

How do I tell the world
about the courage it took
to finally run from the fire
When my own heart was burning?
How do I explain it
that the hardest thing I ever did
was to stand up for myself
while my ribs still held the ashes
of dreams I couldn't save?
How do I show them
that the weight of a heart that chose freedom
even as it trembled with fear
the quiet bravery of leaving behind
what once felt like home,
even when the smoke clung to every part of me?
I want the world to know:
sometimes courage is not loud
it is a whisper that says go,
even when your chest aches,
even when your eyes are full of flames.
Tell me, how do I make them see
that my burning heart
is not my weakness,
but the proof
that I walked through fire
and did not stay?

Salma

Our mission

Creating Possibilities

With your support, we can provide free online accredited high school education to Afghan women that offers a pathway to a college degree and training and employment to Afghan teachers. Together, we can envision a future where educated Afghan women become the architects of change in their lives, helping to rebuild Afghan society and overcome the confines of inequality, poverty, and limited opportunities.

We see these girls not just as students, but as the future leaders of their communities, working towards prosperity, innovation, creativity, and social progress.

About

Afghanistan is the only country in the world in which women and girls are denied education. This gender apartheid threatens Afghan society and has global implications for international human rights. The collaborative project between The Living Wisdom School and Victory Afghanistan is a crucial step towards addressing this issue.

Apply

Living Wisdom International High School welcomes applications from Afghan young women seeking a high school degree from an accredited online high school at no cost.

Our School

Living Wisdom International High School provides educational opportunities for both middle school and high school students world-wide.

Their Stories

Written by the women of the Afghanistan High School Programme.

Ocean Crossing

August 2025

Crossing

A journey across impossible distances — physical, emotional, and political — told with unflinching honesty.

Read the story
Twins' Dream

June 2025

Twins' Dream

Two sisters, one determination: to finish school together, whatever the cost.

Read the story
Empowering Afghan Women

April 2024

Empowering Afghan Women

The story of a programme that dared to believe education could reach where laws could not.

Read the story
Whispers of Hope

September 2024

Whispers of Hope and Resilience

In secrecy, by lamplight, with a borrowed screen — one student refused to let silence be the last word.

Read the story
Letter from Kabul

July 2024

Letter from Kabul

"I write this by lamplight while my family sleeps. My textbook is hidden under the floorboards."

Read the letter
My journey with Living Wisdom School

October 2024

My Journey with Living Wisdom School

An instructor reflects on what it means to teach across borders, firewalls, and fear.

Read the story
Our Mission video

May 2024 · Video

Our Mission

Watch the story of Living Wisdom's Afghanistan programme — why it exists, how it works, and what it means to the women it serves.

Watch the video

Education is the one thing they cannot take.

Your support keeps Afghan women in school. Every donation funds free, accredited education for a young woman who has no other option.