Stories of Change

Discover the journeys of those AFF has supported in building a brighter future.

September 2026

More than a startup program: What refugee founders took away from the 2026 VBB Accelerator

Laptops covered the tables as founders leaned over business models, challenged one another’s assumptions and practiced explaining the problems their ventures aimed to solve. By the end of the week, those conversations had spilled beyond the classroom — over lunch, ice cream and visits to restaurants connected to participants’ communities.
July 2026

The Arithmetic of Survival

In December 2024, Waheedullah Elham arrived in Sacramento with a wife, a two-year-old daughter, and $100. A friend had donated the money as county benefits would start in January. He knew what to do with a number that small. His mother taught him. She was illiterate but brilliant at math, and during the first Taliban era, when sanctions choked their village in Qarabagh, a rural district north of Kabul, she taught her ten-year-old son how to make 2,000 Afghani last two months.

Real Change, Real People

Meet the people behind the mission. These stories highlight how AFF programs have helped Afghans around the world reclaim their futures

“Before coming to the Enabled Children School, my daughter Zainab was isolated, quiet, and emotionally withdrawn. After losing her father, I raised her alone and constantly worried about her future. But over time, this ECI school has changed our lives. Zainab has grown emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. To me, the ECI school has been more than just a school — it has
taken on the role of a father in raising my daughter.”

– Fatima, 48

Kabul, Afghanistan
Mother of a child with a disability

“QSAP gave me the opportunity to pursue my Master’s at James Madison University. Studying
at JMU helped me grow tremendously as a person. While the experience came with its
challenges, it eventually felt like a second home. I’m truly grateful for the friendships I built and
the incredible support I received from the JMU community.”

– Huda Attaey

QSAP alumna

Individuals  directly reached across all core programs
5800 +
Afghans supported through evacuation and resettlement
1000 +
Global partnerships established with universities and nonprofits worldwide
50 +

What People Say
About Us

Hear directly from those who’ve lived the journey—students, entrepreneurs, volunteers, 
and global partners share 
their experience with AFF

Featured In

Our work has been recognized by global media and academic publications. 
These features amplify Afghan voices and showcase what’s possible with support