Our Story

In January 2025, Four undergraduate classmates at the University of Ottawa, Hanif Ehsani, Ana Milinkovic, Farnam Parcham, and Lauren McPhee came together with a shared vision: to create meaningful change for Afghan women and girls through education. 

 

They founded Raha Scholars Foundation, a charitable organization named after the Farsi word Raha, which translates to “free” or “liberated” in English. The name reflects the core values of independence, dignity, and hope that guide the organization’s mission.

 

Since August 15, 2021, the current regime in Afghanistan has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, banning them from attending school, traveling without male supervision, and participating freely in society. 

 

In response to this crisis, Raha Scholars Foundation was created to be part of the solution. The organization supports young Afghan women by offering access to education through financial assistance, mentorship, and essential learning resources. 

 

Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit to Afghan female high school and undergraduate students who aspire to study in Canada. Raha Scholars Foundation also funds English and French language studies, both in Afghanistan and Canada, to help students meet university admission requirements. 

 

Every scholarship granted is a step toward reclaiming the future for Afghan women, empowering them not only to learn, but to lead.