Education
Learning is a right, not a privilege.
About Novara
A platform building brighter futures with Afghan females.
Novara Initiative began as a simple belief — that every young person deserves the chance to learn, lead, and thrive. Today we are a growing community of students, educators, mentors, and partners around the world.
Vision
A generation of Afghan youth leading change — for themselves, their communities, and the world.
Mission
To create meaningful opportunities in education, wellbeing, leadership, and innovation — meeting young people where they are and helping them build the futures they choose.
Why we exist
Because talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Novara exists to close that gap — with dignity, imagination, and a long-term commitment to the young people we serve.
Core values
Six principles that guide every decision we make.
Integrity
We do what we say — transparently and consistently.
Leadership
We invest in young people to lead their own futures.
Community
We grow together, across borders and generations.
Innovation
We use technology and creativity to reach further.
Hope
We choose possibility, even in the most difficult places.
Our people
Meet the Team
Behind Novara is a passionate team of volunteers committed to expanding access to education, mental health support, and career opportunities for Afghan girls and women.
Sayed Bashir Sadat
President & Executive Director
Zahra Mahdeeyar
Head of Education
Zahra Ahmadi
Head of Mental Health
Zahra Haidari
Head of Careers & Opportunities
Ahmad Radwan
Operations Manager
Rohit Saxena
HR & Organizational Development Coordinator
Zhang Xi
Financial Manager
Tania Maritza Manrique Higuera
Culture Exchange Program Coordinator
Nelofar Tahiri
Education Department
Sahera Babur
Education Department
Narges Kohsari
Careers & Opportunities Department
Sayed Shabir Sadat
Media Department
Samia Latifi
Media Department
Masoma Merzaye
Mental Health Department