طلَبُ العِلمِ فَريضةٌ على كلِّ مُسلمٍ EDUCATION BEYOND BORDERS

Empowering Afghan girls through innovative learning, connecting students with teachers worldwide in a safe, supportive online environment.

Our Approach to Learning

Combining academic excellence with innovative technology for Afghan girls

VR Learning

Immersive virtual classrooms where girls can explore science, history, and mathematics in 3D environments.

Coming Soon

Live Classes

Real-time interactive classes with qualified female teachers via integrated video conferencing.

Afghan Curriculum

Ministry-approved curriculum with Islamic values and Afghan cultural context.

Safe Community

All-female learning environment with strict privacy and safety protocols.

Downloadable PDFs

All textbooks available as downloadable PDFs for offline study.

Recognized Diploma

Graduate with a recognized high school diploma for further education.

Experience VR Learning Coming Soon

Step into our virtual classrooms where you can:

  • Explore ancient civilizations in History class
  • Conduct virtual science experiments
  • Practice language skills with native speakers
Explore VR Classrooms

VR Headset Demo

Our Educational Programs

Complete Afghan School curriculum for grades 7-12

Science Stream

Physics, Chemistry, Biology with virtual lab experiments

Mathematics

Algebra, Geometry, Calculus with interactive visualizations

Literature

Dari, Pashto, English literature with global author studies

Islamic Studies

Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, and Islamic history in depth

Languages

Dari, Pashto, English, Arabic language programs

Computer Science

Programming, web design, and digital skills for the future

Virtual Reality Classrooms

Immersive learning experiences - Coming Soon!

VR Learning is Coming Soon

We're working hard to bring you immersive virtual classrooms. Stay tuned!

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Support Our Mission

Your donation helps Afghan girls access quality education

View Detailed Budget Breakdown

$35,000

Founder's Contribution

Seed funding invested

$0

Total Raised

$365,000

Goal Amount

0

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Thank you to those who have made significant contributions

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Students Supported

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Teachers Employed

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Classes Funded

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Devices Provided

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About Elmway Academy

Empowering Afghan girls through education and technology

Our Story

Founded in 2024, Elmway Academy was created to ensure Afghan girls have continued access to quality education. Using innovative technology, we bring the classroom to students safely at home.

Our name, "Elm-way," is a blend of Dari and English — "Elm" (meaning knowledge) and "way" (meaning path) — representing the path of knowledge that we aim to open and make accessible to every student. We believe every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve her dreams.

Elmway Academy

Our Mission

To provide accessible, high-quality education to Afghan girls through innovative technology.

Our Vision

To be a leading educational institution that develops well-rounded individuals.

Our Values

Knowledge, integrity, compassion, excellence, and community service.

Our Leadership Team

Dedicated educators committed to girls' education

Ahmad Kabir Kakar - Founder of Elmway Academy

Ahmad Kabir Kakar

Founder & Director

Graduate of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi in Social & Political Sciences. An entrepreneur dedicated to empowering Afghan youth through education and technology.

Malalay Weera

Malalay Weera

Principal

A dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in curriculum development and school administration. Committed to creating a nurturing learning environment for girls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Elmway Academy

Elmway Academy is a private, secure online high school for Afghan girls in grades 7 through 12. We offer the full Afghan national curriculum through PDF textbooks, recorded video lessons, and live interactive classes. We are also establishing a physical learning center in Kabul with computers, internet, solar backup power, and female staff.

Website: www.elmwayacademy.com

Since 2021, over 1.1 million Afghan girls have been banned from secondary education. There is no formal schooling available for girls beyond grade 6. Elmway Academy fills this gap by providing quality education in a safe, private, online environment.

Yes. Elmway Academy is completely free for every student. No student or family will ever pay tuition, fees, or any cost to access the platform, attend classes, or use the Kabul Learning Center.

Elmway Academy was founded by Ahmad Kabir Kakar, a graduate of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi (Social & Political Sciences). He has been working on this project since 2024 and has personally funded approximately 20% of the development (worth $35,000). He receives no salary.

We are in the process of completing our non-profit registration and fiscal sponsorship. Updates will be posted on our website and GoFundMe page as soon as they are finalized. Tax receipts will be available retroactively once charitable status is confirmed.

Yes. The Elmway Academy platform and all learning materials are offered in Dari to ensure accessibility for all Afghan girls. The Afghan national curriculum is delivered in Dari, and live classes are conducted in Dari by qualified teachers.

We are also working on incorporating Pashto language options in the future to serve students from all regions of Afghanistan.

Students need:

  • A smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access
  • A web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge recommended)
  • No special software is required – the platform works directly in your browser

For students without reliable internet or devices, the Kabul Learning Center provides free access to computers, internet, and technical support.

Absolutely. Elmway Academy offers live interactive classes where students can ask questions in real-time. Students can also:

  • Submit assignments and receive feedback from teachers
  • Send direct messages to teachers for additional support
  • Participate in discussion groups with fellow students

We believe in creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where every girl feels heard and supported.

All live classes are recorded and made available for students to watch at their convenience. Students can:

  • Access recorded lessons anytime through their student portal
  • Watch lessons as many times as needed
  • Download lessons for offline viewing (where internet is limited)

This ensures that students with internet connectivity issues or scheduling conflicts can still keep up with their studies.

Yes. Students who successfully complete the Elmway Academy program will receive a certificate of completion recognizing their achievement.

We are actively working with educational authorities and partner organizations to ensure our certificates are recognized for further education and employment opportunities. We aim to provide a pathway for graduates to pursue higher education and professional careers.

  • Email: contact@elmwayacademy.com
  • WhatsApp: +1 416 669 1840
  • Website: www.elmwayacademy.com
  • Instagram: @elmwayacademy

100% of donations go directly to the mission. Founder takes no salary. Zero dollars go to administrative overhead beyond essentials.

Year 1 Operations$135,000
Platform Development$128,000
Kabul Learning Center$56,000
Toronto Headquarters$42,000
Print & Marketing$4,000

$650 CAD covers one full year of education for one girl, including:

  • Platform access and curriculum
  • Live classes with qualified teachers
  • Recorded video lessons
  • Internet/data stipend
  • Access to the Kabul Learning Center (if local)

Yes. Major donors can designate their gift toward specific areas:

  • $650 – Sponsor one girl for one full year
  • $250 – Pay one local teacher for one month
  • $800 – Buy one computer for Kabul center
  • $7,000 – Fund solar backup power
  • $25,000 – Name the Kabul Learning Center

For designated gifts, email: contact@elmwayacademy.org

  • GoFundMe: Go to our fundraiser page
  • Bank Transfer / Wire: Available for major gifts – email contact@elmwayacademy.com
  • Monthly Giving: Recurring donations can be set up via GoFundMe

Fiscal sponsorship is pending. We expect to have charitable status within 60-90 days. Once approved, donations will be tax-deductible retroactively to the launch of the campaign. We will notify all donors when this is finalized.

We commit to:

  • Monthly public updates with progress reports and anonymized student impact stories
  • Full financial transparency – every expenditure tracked and shared
  • No founder salary – all funds go to the mission

We aim to enroll 200-300 students in Year 1, with 100-150 of those also accessing the physical Kabul Learning Center.

Elmway Academy follows the Afghan national curriculum for grades 7-12, including:

  • Mathematics
  • Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
  • Languages (Dari, Pashto, English, Arabic)
  • Islamic Studies
  • Literature
  • Computer Science

Yes. The platform is built with privacy and security as top priorities:

  • All data is encrypted
  • All-female teaching staff where possible
  • Strict access controls
  • After receiving the full funds required for the project:
  • Months 1-4: Complete platform development
  • Month 3: Open Toronto office
  • Month 5: Launch online academy (100 students)
  • Month 7: Open Kabul Learning Center
  • Month 12: Expand to 300 students

All teachers are qualified educators. We pay fair, dignified wages:

  • Local Afghan teachers (in-country): $250/month
  • Diaspora teachers (remote): $600/month (average)
  • Workshop facilitator (Kabul center): $300/month

We do not ask anyone to volunteer who cannot afford to do so. Fair pay ensures quality instruction and teacher retention.

We have a diversified funding model:

  • Annual fundraising campaigns – Smaller recurring GoFundMe campaigns
  • Foundation grants – Malala Fund, Global Partnership for Education, UNICEF
  • Corporate sponsorships – Companies committed to girls' education
  • Major donor circle – Recurring $1,000+ annual donors
  • Zakat / Sadaqah – Faith-based giving during Ramadan

Year 2 annual operating cost is estimated at $155,000 - $175,000 – significantly lower than the initial build cost.

Students never pay. Ever.

We maintain a 6-month operating reserve to ensure continuity. If funding becomes critically low, we scale back operations before asking families to pay. Students are always protected.

  • Monthly recurring donation – Stable income for teacher salaries and hosting
  • Annual pledge – Commit a fixed amount each year
  • Legacy / bequest – Name Elmway Academy in your will
  • Employer matching – Double your impact through corporate matching
  • Zakat / Sadaqah – Faith-based giving

To set up recurring or major donations, email: sustainability@elmwayacademy.org

Yes. We are actively researching and preparing applications for:

  • Government of Canada – Women's rights and education abroad programs
  • UN agencies – UNICEF, UNHCR education initiatives
  • International foundations – Malala Fund, Global Partnership for Education, Educate A Child

We expect grant funding to cover 30-40% of annual operating costs by Year 3.

Complete transparency. We will publish:

  • Quarterly financial reports – Income, expenses, and reserves
  • Annual sustainability audit – Projected vs. actual funding
  • Real-time dashboard (on our website) showing donor contributions and how they are used

All donors will receive these reports via email.

We welcome skilled volunteers in the following areas:

  • Curriculum development (Afghan national curriculum experts)
  • Teacher recruitment and training
  • Graphic design and content creation
  • Legal and accounting support (for non-profit registration)

Please email volunteer@elmwayacademy.org with your skills and availability.

We will post:

  • Monthly updates on GoFundMe
  • Regular posts on Instagram (@elmwayacademy)
  • Email newsletters for major donors

You can also visit our website at www.elmwayacademy.com for the latest news.

Pre-Register for Elmway Academy

Be among the first students when we launch

📝 Student Information

This is a pre-registration sign-up. The academy is not yet operational. We will notify you when we launch.

We will send confirmation and updates to this email

Your information is safe and will not be shared.

Contact Us

We're here to help you start your learning journey

Get in Touch

Whether you have questions about donations, need support, or want to learn more, our team is ready to assist.

Email

info@elmwayacademy.com

funds@elmwayacademy.com

Phone / WhatsApp

+1 416 669 1840

Office Hours

Saturday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Send a Message