West Nottingham Academy

In the heart of Afghanistan, where the grip of the Taliban resurgence has tightened since August 2021, the dreams of over a million girls have been cast into shadow. Among these, Fatima, a spirited 16-year-old from Kabul, represents the stifled aspirations of a generation forbidden to learn beyond sixth grade—the only such prohibition in the world.

Fatima's world changed drastically with the Taliban's takeover and the subsequent educational ban for girls. Before the upheaval, she was a bright student in Grade 9, thriving academically and fluent in English. However, her education came to an abrupt halt, and her daily reality became confined within the walls of her home. Her father, a casualty of a violent explosion, left Fatima and her mother to fend for themselves in an increasingly oppressive society. With no male relatives, Fatima faces severe restrictions on her movement, hindering any chance to continue her education outside her home.

Despite these barriers, Fatima's determination has not waned. She utilizes whatever resources she can—limited internet access and lessons from her mother—to keep her hope alive. Her plea for education is heart-wrenching: "Ship me to any country where I can go to school...I will clean, cook, sleep on the footpath or beg, just to go to school." The danger of her situation is escalated by the fact that she is forbidden to travel by air without a male guardian. Her only escape is a perilous journey on foot across the border into Iran, evading Taliban patrols and risking everything for the sake of education.

This GoFundMe campaign is a call to action to help Fatima and other girls like her. Our goal is to raise funds to bring 10 to 20 Afghan girls to the United States to attend West Nottingham Academy (wna.org) in Colora, MD, where they can continue their education safely from Grade 9 until graduation. WNA offers a supportive community and a chance for these girls to reclaim their right to learn, grow, thrive and be free.

By supporting this campaign, you are lighting a candle in the darkness for Fatima and her peers. Your donations will cover the costs of their travel, tuition, accommodation, and basic needs, ensuring they have the resources to succeed without the burden of financial strain. You will receive a donation receipt from West Nottingham Academy, which is a 501(c)(3) organization. The receipt can be used for your tax purposes. Apart from the fees charged by GoFundMe or other processing partners, every penny of your donation directly supports Afghan girls and their education. No portion of your contribution is used for the administrative expenses of West Nottingham Academy or the sponsor of this fundraiser.

Join us in turning the tide against injustice. Let us bring these young women into the light of opportunity and into a community that embraces them with open arms. Every contribution brings us closer to giving these courageous girls the future they dare to dream of.

Together, we can rewrite their stories from despair to hope, from suppression to freedom. Let education be their path to a brighter tomorrow.

I am running the Gettysburg North-South Marathon on April 10th in memory of my friend, David Murray. I will be raising money for the David Lindley Murray Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is presented to a student currently enrolled in the Chesapeake Learning Center at West Nottingham Academy that is entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. The Chesapeake Learning Center had a huge impact on Dave and many of our friends & classmates. I’m proud to be raising money to ensure Dave’s legacy continues and gives others an opportunity to benefit from this great program. The recipient must demonstrate the work ethic, character, and commitment to the WNA community that was so important to Dave.