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:

1. 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.
2. Newsletters: Shokofa sends sponsors regular newsletters that highlight the achievements, well-being, and overall progress of the children under our care.
3. Financial Audits by The Zaanha Fund: Shokofa submits detailed financial reports to The Zaanha Fund, which then reviews and audits all expenditures.

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

• Shokofa uploads the profiles of eligible children, including photos, to the sponsorship platform.
• When someone sponsors a child, Shokofa is immediately notified.
• If the child is already living in a Shokofa-run safehouse, they are informed about their new sponsor and start corresponding through letters.
• 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.

Shokofa identifies children through its partnerships with community leaders who recommend girls based on need. These children often come from:

• Families affected by war, poverty, or drug addiction.
• Remote areas in Afghanistan where access to education is extremely limited.
  After an initial assessment, children’s profiles and photos are uploaded to Shokofa’s platform for sponsorship consideration or are presented directly to potential sponsors.

Following the Taliban’s ascension, we strategically adapted our operations to the changing political climate by transitioning from large orphanages to smaller, inconspicuous safehouses. We have initiated home-based classes and remote learning, and discreetly enrolled girls in private schools for grades six and above, maintaining their education without attracting Taliban attention.

To further shield the girls from detection, we house them in small residences or apartments, typically accommodating 8-15 individuals along with a host family. This setup creates the illusion of an ordinary household, significantly reducing the chances of raising suspicions among neighbors or attracting unwanted attention from the Taliban.

Children remain at Shokofa safehouses until they complete high school (12th grade), even if they are older than 18. During their final years, Shokofa helps them prepare for college admission exams.

Some graduates choose to continue their involvement with Shokofa by assisting with organizational efforts and mentoring younger girls. In return, Shokofa supports these graduates with their ongoing educational journeys.

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.
• Manage Team:
• Board Members: Shokofa’s management and Board members are unpaid volunteers, ensuring that funds are focused on the children’s needs.
• Director of Education: Froozan Danish, a former university professor with more than a decade of experience in the education sector.
• Safehouses’ Staff: 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.

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.