Shokofa operates under The Zaanha Fund, a registered U.S. charity with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (IRS Tax ID: 452526950).

Here’s how the process works:

• Donations and sponsorships intended for Shokofa are sent to The Zaanha Fund.
• The Zaanha Fund sets aside a 15% administrative fee for its costs, and the remaining funds go toward Shokofa’s operations.
• Shokofa submits a funding request to The Zaanha Fund every quarter. The request is reviewed and approved after a detailed evaluation process.
• Approved funds are transferred securely and in compliance with IRS regulations and U.S. laws.

Since the Taliban has restricted nonprofit work for girls in Afghanistan, Shokofa cannot open a formal Afghan bank account. Instead, The Zaanha Fund ensures that all money is transferred through secure, lawful alternatives.

Shokofa uses all sponsorship and donation funds to cover essential operational costs:

• Education: School fees, supplies, books, and online learning tools.
• Housing: Rent, utilities, and upkeep of small, safehouses.
• Basic Needs: Food, clothing, bedding, and sanitation supplies.
• Healthcare: Medical expenses and support.
• Staff Salaries: To pay host families, coordinators, and educators where necessary.

Shokofa pools all donations, ensuring that every girl in its care receives equal access to resources, regardless of sponsorship status. This is important because not every child has a sponsor. Some children are partially sponsored, while others are not sponsored at all.

Shokofa keeps its administrative costs minimal, with no high-paid executives, unnecessary travel, or luxury expenses. All management positions at Shokofa are voluntary. In this way, the majority of every donation directly benefits the girls, ensuring their education and well-being are prioritized.

Transparency is key to maintaining trust with our sponsors and donors. Shokofa takes the following steps to ensure accountability:

• Direct Sponsor-Child Communication: Sponsors receive updates from their sponsored children through letters and occasional video calls. These interactions give sponsors direct insight into the girls’ daily lives and educational progress.
• Newsletters: Shokofa sends sponsors regular newsletters that highlight the achievements, well-being, and overall progress of the children under our care.
• Financial Audits by The Zaanha Fund: 

1. 1. Shokofa submits detailed financial reports to The Zaanha Fund, which then reviews and audits all expenditures.
   2. Audits include direct engagement between The Zaanha Fund and our staff on the ground, as well as interactions with the girls to verify that the funds are being used appropriately.
   3. Since The Zaanha Fund adheres to IRS guidelines and is accountable to the U.S. government, all transactions are thoroughly reviewed to ensure compliance with U.S. laws.

These measures ensure that every dollar donated to Shokofa is used responsibly and for its intended purpose: to support the girls’ education, safety, and well-being.

Shokofa’s leadership includes individuals with extensive experience in education and child welfare:

• Founder: Andeisha Farid, an Afghan-American woman with over 20 years of experience working for children, women, and refugees.
• Director of Education: Froozan Danish, a former university professor with more than a decade of experience in the education sector.

Each safehouse is overseen by a resident host family, as well as young adults who grew up in Shokofa’s previously established safehouses and now serve as support staff. These coordinators assist with translating, managing online classes, and facilitating communication between sponsors and children.

Shokofa adapted its operations to function under the Taliban’s strict rules by employing the following strategies:

• Discreet Safehouses: Instead of large orphanages, the girls are housed in small residences that mimic family homes. Typically, 8-15 people, including a host family, live in one safehouse. This setup avoids attracting the Taliban’s attention.
• Education Initiatives: Shokofa provides home-based and online learning for the girls. Girls in grades 6 and above are discreetly enrolled in private schools.
• Security Measures: Host families and staff ensure the safehouses stay low-profile to protect the girls, maintaining privacy and limiting unnecessary outside interactions.

Shokofa uses specialized software to match sponsors with children in need. This is how the program works:

1. Shokofa uploads the profiles of eligible children, including photos, to the sponsorship platform.
2. When someone sponsors a child, Shokofa is immediately notified.
3. If the child is already living in a Shokofa-run safehouse, they are informed about their new sponsor and start corresponding through letters.
4. If the child is not currently in a safehouse, Shokofa arranges for their relocation. Upon arrival at the safehouse, the child is provided with all necessary living supplies, including bedding, school uniforms, shoes, and clothes.

Sponsors can email or arrange video calls with their sponsored child, facilitated by Shokofa’s communication officers, who live in the safehouses and help monitor and guide these interactions. Sponsors can also contact house coordinators or the Shokofa management team with any questions or concerns.

Hosting an Afghan girl is a profound way to make a difference. If you are interested in providing a safe and supportive home, Shokofa offers guidance on the process, including legal documentation, visa requirements, and logistics. Please email us at info@shokofa.org for more details.

If you are unable to sponsor a child, there are other impactful ways to support Shokofa’s mission:

• Make a one-time or recurring donation to the general fund.
• Volunteer your expertise, such as teaching online classes or providing career guidance.
• Share Shokofa’s mission with your network to raise awareness and support.
• Every contribution—big or small—helps us create a brighter future for Afghan girls.