Afghan seeds of hope

Aim

Afghan farmers Ali & Fatima would like to take up a scholarship at an Ecology College in St Vincent in order to learn about permaculture

Ali Hussein and Fatima are both farmers who were born in the ancient city of Bamyan, Afghanistan. They grew up in an environment rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, many will identify Bamyan for its giant Buddhas which were blown up by the Taliban. They have both completed schooling with hopes for a better future. Like most people from Bamyan they are from a household who grow most of their food, learning traditional Afghan techniques which are practiced in permaculture.

They would both like the opportunity to take up an offered scholarship at an ecology college on the island of St Vincent, a global top class institution which specialised in international students, especially those from troubled countries. 

From an early age, Ali Hussein showed a strong interest in social activities and volunteer work. In 2015 and 2016, he collaborated and volunteered with youth groups in Kabul and lived and worked within the Afghanistan Peace Volunteers community. During this time, he learned profound lessons about building a peaceful world—a world that is green, equal, and free from war. These experiences shaped his worldview and instilled in him a deep belief in humanity, cooperation, and peace.

Motivated by the mass felling of trees in Afghanistan, Fatima has been involved with tree planting projects in Bamyan. Wood is the main source of fuel in Afghanistan, sadly due to war, trees which have been felled for fuel and never replaced. Today Afghanistan has less than 2% tree cover leading to desertification and degradation of fertility. Afghanistan is in dire need of a mass tree planting campaign. 

Ali Hussein also has a strong passion for art and music. He is interested in playing traditional Afghan musical instruments, especially the dambura, which reflects the voice of his culture and homeland. For him, music is not merely a hobby, but a way to express emotions, hope, and identity. However, in the current situation in Afghanistan, playing music faces many restrictions and challenges, which has significantly affected his artistic life and happiness. 

Fatima has also been involved with running a Bamiyan school for street kids, focusing on girls who are no longer allowed to attend school. She was also involved with establishing a peace park in Bamiyan. In her spare time Fatima likes to relax with textile making, embroidery and sewing dresses - these activities are common for Afghan women due to Taliban restrictions on women’s activities.

Ali Hussein and Fatima are very dedicated to their communities and moreover learning new growing techniques which will help others in their village. They were both part of a youth peace team which focused on learning permaculture practices and techniques in growing food in conflict and regreening war weary contaminated land.

Afghanistan has now experienced 46 years of conflict, upheaval and oppressive regimes. Despite all these challenges, Ali Hussein and Fatima remain committed to their values of non violent peace and their passion to care for the environment. Due to their rural backgrounds they deeply understand how humans and nature are intrinsically bound together. They are both from farming families who rely on the land for existence. The two have already been exceptional assets to their communities, their plan is to seek further education around growing practices and to share their knowledge and skills with others in their village.

Ali Hussein & Fatima represent many young people in Afghanistan—young individuals full of talent, hope, and dreams, yet facing serious limitations. Their story is one of resilience, hope, and the quiet struggle to keep dreams alive under difficult circumstances.

Supporting young people like Ali Hussein & Fatima can make a meaningful difference—not only in one individual’s life, but in the future of an entire community that longs for peace, freedom, and opportunities to grow.

They are the seeds of hope.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 5th August 2026 at 8:09pm