US Philanthropy Afghanistan Girls

Shabana Basij-Rasikh, co-founder and president of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), pose for a photo in Rwanda, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.

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After fleeing Afghanistan to continue educating girls, SOLA opens a permanent school in Rwanda

After fleeing Afghanistan to continue educating girls, SOLA opens a permanent school in Rwanda

Shabana Basij-Rasikh leads the School of Leadership of Afghanistan that's now based in Rwanda. SOLA relocated after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan five years ago. The school provides education for Afghan girls who face restrictions at home. Classes will begin on the new campus later this month. SOLA also launched an online platform to reach more girls using smartphones. SOLAx offers classes based on the Afghan curriculum and now has 41,000 students worldwide. Basij-Rasikh emphasizes the importance of global support and aims to return to Afghanistan one day. She remains committed to empowering Afghan girls and hopes they will lead future change in Afghanistan. Basij-Rasikh does this despite threats to her safety.