Ms Suraya Sadeed

Suraya Sadeed founded Help the Afghan Children in 1993 after witnessing the effects of the civil war on Afghanistan's children and their families. Her courageous and successful efforts in providing humanitarian aid, health clinics, and schools for girls during the oppressive rule of the Taliban won her honor and recognition both in Afghanistan and the United States, including a Medal of Service from Afghanistan's Ministry of Education. Ms Sadeed's pioneering work in bringing innovative educational programs to Afghanistan (community-based model schools, the nation's first computer education program for public schools, quality-based teacher training and standards, peace and environmental education), have become blueprints in helping to overhaul and improve Afghanistan's educational system. Her work has directly benefited over 1.8 million Afghan children and their families.