Khas Kunar · Afghanistan
Education begins with a place to learn.
Afghan Rural Schools supports village schools by listening to local leaders, educators, and the communities who know their needs best.
Rooted in community. Focused on education.
01 / Who we are
Afghan Rural Schools is a nonprofit organization created to support schools in Khas Kunar, Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
Its approach is grounded in direct contact with village chiefs, school administrators, and local officials. That connection helps the organization understand needs through the people closest to the schools.
Organization description based on materials supplied by Afghan Rural Schools. EIN 46-3424470.
02 / On the ground now
The new school building, seen from the front steps.
The classroom wing, with window frames in place.
Your donations at work! The new school building is going up.
Classrooms are taking shape inside and out, and we’re on schedule to fill them with students next school year.
Help us finish the job by donating.
Donate03 / A personal connection
One Life.One Life: An Afghan Remembers
Dr. Abdul Qayum Safi
The founding story
“Helping those less fortunate left back in his childhood community in Afghanistan.”
Dr. Abdul Qayum Safi founded Afghan Rural Schools with a personal connection to the place and its people. Organization materials state that proceeds from his memoir, One Life: An Afghan Remembers, have supported the nonprofit.
Founding account from material supplied by the organization.
04 / Documented work
Chapters of the organization’s work, as recorded in its own materials.
Solar electrification · Khas Kunar
Organization records report a solar-panel project supporting three schools and the district education office, including a girls’ school in Khas Kunar.
Historical project information from supplied organization documents.
Classroom construction · Khas Kunar
The organization describes a plan to build classrooms for 700 students, some of whom study under a tent for lack of space. It was scheduled for spring 2020 and delayed by Covid-19.
The land for the building is owned by the girls' high school in Khas Kunar. The organization paid for the lumber and a carpenter to make and install frames and panels for windows and doors.
Plan as described in materials published by Afghan Rural Schools; status not independently confirmed.
Needs are identified in conversation with educators, community leaders, and officials.
The organization describes direct ties to the community it serves.
Past work is dated clearly, without presenting historical plans as current outcomes.
05 / Media archive
Dr. Safi discusses his book and his effort to rebuild schools in Afghanistan.
Dr. Abdul Qayum Safi on his effort to rebuild schools. Originally reported by Fox News.
Watch on YouTube06 / Family archive
Original family photographs supplied by Dr. Safi’s family. The captions and dates follow the handwritten notes preserved with the photographs.
Qayum with his brother and his family
Qayum with his brothers, a good friend, and their sons
Qayum’s children on their first Halloween
Qayum’s sons with the neighbors’ sons
Qayum’s children in front of the family home in Warwick, Rhode Island
Qayum with his sister and her children
A direct way to help
Your donation is processed through the official Afghan Rural Schools PayPal donation page.
Donate securely with PayPal Afghan Rural Schools · EIN 46-342447007 / Contact