I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, a city of deep traditions, strong family bonds, and communities that never give up, where children dare to dream of education even amid danger. I watched schools close, and friends disappear, knowing learning safely was a dream slipping away. When my family moved to the United States, we left behind everything familiar—our home, our memories, our life—for safety and the hope of a better future.

I was only 11 when we arrived. In seventh grade, my English teacher asked us to write about something we cared about. I chose education, pouring out my experiences growing up in a war-torn country and my belief that every child deserves the chance to learn. I won the school writing competition, and my classmates and teachers organized a fundraiser to support schools abroad. For the first time, I felt the warmth of community and understood that even one young person can plant hope and ignite change.

With the support of UC Berkeley and alongside my peers, family, and community members, we nurtured ECCO into a structured student organization and nonprofit initiative. That moment planted the seed for ECCO, which we officially registered on March 27, 2021. In just three years, ECCO has raised over $100,000 to launch and operate an online school serving 300 women and girls in Afghanistan, while also providing educational programs and resettlement support to immigrant families in California—offering tutoring, mentorship, and programs that help children overcome cultural, language, and financial barriers. Every success reminds me that a single idea, fueled by community and purpose, can transform lives.