Upcoming events
A New Dawn Brunch Benefit for Afghanistan
For 25 years, Sahar Education has worked alongside Afghan communities to expand opportunities for women and girls through education. This fall, we invite you to come together with us to celebrate that extraordinary milestone—and help write the next chapter.
Join us for A New Dawn Brunch Benefit for Afghanistan: Celebrating 25 Years of Impact, a special anniversary gathering honoring Sahar Education’s past, present, and future.
This is more than a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to gather in person as a community, hear firsthand what 25 years of investment in education can make possible, and stand together in support of Afghan women and girls at a moment when access to education remains critically important.
Over a beautiful brunch featuring Afghan-inspired dishes and sweets, guests will enjoy live music, inspiring stories, an auction, and meaningful opportunities to connect with others who believe in the transformative power of education.
See the Impact of Education—10 Years Later
10 Years after graduation…
One of the most special moments of our 25th anniversary celebration will come from Hasenat Eqbali, a graduate of Gohar Khatoon Girls High School and former participant in a computer and coding program supported by Sahar Education.
Ten years later, Hasenat will join us in person to share how that opportunity changed the trajectory of her life. Today, she works for the Vancouver Washington School District. Her story offers a powerful glimpse of what long-term investment in girls’ education can make possible—and why Sahar Education’s work continues to matter.
An Afternoon of Music, Stories, and Community
The celebration will feature a musical performance and remarks from Zarifa Adiba, musician, author of Playing for Freedom, and Founder and Executive Director of the Zarifa Foundation.
Zarifa made history as the youngest conductor to lead the All-Female Orchestra of Afghanistan at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2017. A Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, she has brought her advocacy for girls’ education and the transformative power of art to stages including the United Nations, TEDx AUCA, the Tory Burch Summit, and the World Economic Forum.
Iranian-American author Maryam Sabetian will also share an excerpt from her moving memoir, Flowers of Kindergarten, as part of this special anniversary program.
Throughout the event, guests can enjoy Afghan-inspired matcha available for purchase from Sabz Matcha, receive a beautiful design from our henna artist, and participate in an auction featuring wonderful prizes generously donated by our sponsors.
Celebrate 25 Years. Help Shape What Comes Next.
For a quarter century, friends, supporters, educators, partners, and Afghan women and girls have shaped Sahar Education’s story. We hope you will be in the room as we honor what this community has accomplished together and look toward the next 25 years of possibility.
All proceeds from the event will support Sahar Education’s 2027 programs for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Come celebrate 25 years of impact with us—and help create a new dawn for the generations to come.
A Seat at the Table (DMV Brunch)
Saturday, October 24 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Carpenter Hall, Rock Spring UCC
5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA
Join Sahar Education for a free community brunch bringing together friends, supporters, and members of the DMV community for a meaningful afternoon of connection, culture, and conversation.
Guests will have the opportunity to hear from Meetra Alokozay, Executive Director of Sahar Education, who will share more about Sahar’s work and its commitment to expanding educational opportunities and empowering girls and communities in Afghanistan.
The program will also feature a captivating performance by Asma Darwish, who will share a traditional Afghan dance celebrating the beauty and richness of Afghan culture.
A complimentary brunch will be served throughout the event, offering guests time to connect with one another, meet members of the Sahar Education community, and learn more about our mission and impact.
Whether you are a longtime supporter of Sahar Education or are discovering our work for the first time, we warmly invite you to join us.
Event Highlights
Remarks from Sahar Education Executive Director Meetra Alokozay
Traditional Afghan dance performance by Asma Darwish
Complimentary brunch
Opportunities to connect with the DMV community and learn more about Sahar Education
Admission is free, but registration is requested.
We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring celebration of education, community, and Afghan culture.
Generations of Change: 25 Years of Sahar Education
Generations of Change: 25 Years of Sahar Education
Join us for a special one-hour virtual celebration marking 25 years of Sahar Education and the generations of change made possible through education.
Hosted by Board President Elizabeth Kronoff, the event will feature Executive Director Meetra Alokozay and members of the Sahar Education team as they reflect on 25 years of growth, impact, and lessons learned.
At the heart of the celebration, you’ll hear directly from Sahar Education program graduates who are now creating meaningful change in their own communities. Years after participating in Sahar’s programs, these women are putting their education, skills, and leadership into action, demonstrating the lasting ripple effect of investing in girls and women.
Come celebrate the stories, people, and progress that have shaped Sahar Education’s first 25 years and the generations of change still to come.
This is a free event; however, registration is requested to ensure you receive the event link
Hidden Classrooms Brunch
Hidden Classrooms: A Brunch for Afghan Girls is a special fundraising brunch taking place on Saturday, May 9th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Reception Room @ Cupertino Senior Center in Cupertino, California.
Hosted by Lakshmi Balakrishna, the event will feature special guest Meetra Alokozay, Executive Director, who will share powerful insights into the importance of underground schools in Afghanistan. As access to formal education remains severely restricted for Afghan girls, these hidden classrooms serve as lifelines—preserving hope, knowledge, and opportunity.
Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated brunch with light fare and delicious vegetarian options, alongside a live Afghan dance performance by Samia Karimi and meaningful conversation. Designed to be both uplifting and informative, the event creates space for community members to gather, learn, and support education initiatives that continue despite immense challenges.
Event Details:
📍 Reception Room @ Cupertino Senior Center
21251 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
🗓 Saturday, May 9
⏰ 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Hidden Classrooms is more than a brunch—it is a call to stand in solidarity with Afghan girls and ensure that education continues, even when it must happen quietly and courageously.
Beyond the Ban: How Access to Education Is Being Sustained for Afghan Girls
Join Sahar for a timely and important virtual panel on April 2 at 6 PM PST focused on how Afghan girls continue to access education in the face of ongoing restrictions.
"Beyond the Ban: How Access to Education Is Being Sustained for Afghan Girls" brings together leaders working at the forefront of this effort. Meetra Alokozay, Executive Director of Sahar Education, will be joined by Nasir Kaihan, Founder and President of Alekain, and Mozhgan W Alokozai, Founder of Eagle Online Academy. Together, they will share insights on the challenges, innovations, and solutions helping Afghan girls continue learning.
This conversation will highlight the resilience of students and educators, as well as the critical role of global support in sustaining access to education.
The event is free and open to all. Register to attend.
A Night in Afghanistan Gala
Prepare for an enchanting night of culture, inspiration, and philanthropy at the “A Night in Afghanistan” Annual Gala, a premier fundraising event dedicated to supporting Sahar Education. The evening festivities will take place on September 25th, 2025, with check-in at 5:30 and programming until 8:00 pm at the Great Hall at Green Lake in Seattle.
Sahar-e-Adab Art Contest
You are invited to join this movement of expression and empowerment by participating in Sahar-e-Adab, a poetry, essay, and art contest hosted by Vellichor Literary in support of Sahar Education.
Volunteer Opportunity
Sahar Education is partnering with Epiphany Events as the nonprofit partner for the Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball. This epic evening will feature performers, musicians, guests in their finest costumes and all drink sales profits will benefit Sahar Education.
We are searching for 4-8 volunteers (21+) to sell drink tickets at the event. You will work in shifts and be able to enjoy the event as well.
Requirements:
21+ with identification
Located in the greater Seattle Metro area
Have transportation to and from the event
A Night in Afghanistan, Annual Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening at "A Night in Afghanistan Annual Gala," a fundraising event to benefit Sahar Education. On October 10, from 6 PM to 9 PM PST at Hugo House in Seattle, and live-streamed on YouTube, immerse yourself in Afghan culture while supporting a vital cause.
Another Year of Entrance Exams in Afghanistan Without Women
For the 3rd time since the Taliban takeover, in 2021, women in Afghanistan are barred from taking college entrance exams. There have been no new women trained as doctors, lawyers, or office managers in Afghanistan. Best-selling author, Nadia Hashimi joins Shogofa Amini of Sahar Education to discuss the toll this continued gender apartheid is taking on Afghan women. Join virtually at 5 pm PST or watch after the broadcast.
Legacy Sponsors
Patti Meyers
Advocacy Sponsors
Impact Sponsors
Basic Sponsors
Auction sponsors
Mohammad Tariq Habibi & Timothy Ham
Past sponsors
Thank you to all our sponsors who truly invest in girls’ education for a better world!
