Four years ago, Razia Jan, right in photo, opened a school for girls in a rural village in Afghanistan, despite threats and acts of violence. On Aug. 3, CNN highlighted Razia’s accomplishments by naming her a CNN Hero. Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Afghanistan through community-based education at the Zabuli Education Center.
“We’re inspired by Razia’s strength and commitment to educate girls in Afghanistan and are proud to support her school,” said Susan Davis, chairman of Susan Davis International (SDI) and left in photo. “Our team spent some time with Razia last fall and learned about the challenges she faces on a daily basis and were deeply moved by her efforts to ensure education for girls in parts of the world where it’s not an inherent right.”
Razia’s Ray of Hope was founded with the belief that education is key to positive, peaceful change for current and future generations. SDI supports the Zabuli Education Center outside of Kabul by funding daily breakfast and lunch for 350 young schoolgirls, often their only meals that day.
More on the CNN Hero story here.