Charmaghz

Our Story

Charmaghz was founded in 2018 to instil the joy of reading in Afghan children through Mobile Libraries. Based in Kabul and a registered NGO, Charmaghz grew from the dreams of a group of Afghan youth whose childhoods were scarred by war, and who wanted to secure a peaceful future for the next generation. We believe that a necessary, first step toward that future is ensuring all children can read, write, and do basic maths—though currently only 7% of primary school age children in Afghanistan are proficient in these skills. In Farsi, “Charmaghz” means “four brains,” which reflects our mission to expand and fulfil the potential of Afghan children through literacy. Charmaghz was founded and is led by Freshta Karim, an internationally recognised advocate for education and children’s rights.

Core Team

Freshta Karim

Founder and Director

Freshta Karim is an Afghan child rights activist, and founded Charmaghz in 2018. Freshta started her career at the age of 12, hosting children’s TV shows in Afghanistan and working as a journalist for various radio and television channels in Kabul. Since then, she has devoted her career to working with the children of Afghanistan.

Freshta has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work, including being named one of the BBC's 100 Influential Women in 2021, one of Forbes 30 Under 30, as a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum, and a Young Leader of the Asia Society.

Freshta received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Panjab University in India, and completed her Master's degree in Public Policy at the University of Oxford. She loves drinking green tea, travelling, visiting museums, and reading political philosophy.

Ahmad Siyam Barakati

Deputy Director

Ahmad Siyam Barakati is an Afghan education and children’s rights activist who currently serves as the Deputy Director of Charmaghz. Siyam leads the Afghanistan team, and draws on years of experience managing education projects to provide exceptional educational services to the children who visit Charmaghz’s libraries.

Through his love for reading and exploration, Siyam brings a unique and multifaceted approach to his role as the Deputy Director of Charmaghz, further enriching the impact of the organisation's initiatives on the lives of the children they serve.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Siyam was honoured as a "30 Under 30 Literacy Leader" by the International Literacy Association in 2023. Furthermore, the Asia Society selected him as an Asia 21 Next Generation Fellow.

Siyam holds a degree in Medicine, and is certified as a global Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute.

Ahmad Sultani

Finance Officer

Ahmad Sultani is a highly skilled and motivated finance professional with expertise in financial management and analysis. With his strong educational background and professional qualifications, Ahmad has been instrumental in contributing to the financial success of Charmaghz.

With his ACCA qualification in hand, Ahmad embarked on his professional journey, where he gained valuable experience in different financial roles. His dedication and exceptional analytical skills soon caught the attention of industry leaders, leading to his appointment as a Finance Officer at Charmaghz. In this role, Ahmad is responsible for managing the organisation's financial operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and providing strategic financial advice to support decision-making processes.

Ahmad's proficiency in financial analysis enables him to interpret complex financial data, identify key trends, and provide insightful recommendations to improve financial performance. He possesses a keen eye for detail and maintains a meticulous approach in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Ahmad's ability to communicate financial information effectively has proven instrumental in fostering collaboration with stakeholders and senior management, facilitating informed decision-making.

Hamid Habibi

Procurement Officer

As Procurement Officer, Hamid Habibi leads the procurement and logistics department, which procures critical goods and services for Charmaghz. Hamid holds a Bachelor's degree in Science. He has been in the field of procurement for over five years. Hamid strategically guides our team, ensuring that financial and procurement policies are followed, and expenses are cost-effective. A major part of his role is building positive relationships with external stakeholders. Additionally, Hamid is responsible for updating the Charmaghz Facebook page. Hamid is great at teamwork; he works jointly with the Finance and HR departments to ensure Charmaghz’s operations are smooth and efficient.

He loves visiting cafés and restaurants. Passing time with children and friends is his favourite free-time activity.

Liz Robinson

Fundraising and Partnerships Advisor

Liz Robinson has worked with non-profits in the international development and education sectors for eight years, including across the Middle East, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She first worked in Afghanistan in 2016, and is deeply committed to elevating and advancing education programs that transform children’s futures, and the systems that shape them.

Liz grew up in up state New York, US, in a home where there could never be too many books. She credits her mother, a Librarian and poet, and her father, an effusive author (among other things) for first introducing her to the delight of stepping into a library, and feeling the wisdom of the world at your fingertips. Her current favourite book is The Naked Don’t Fear the Water, by Matthieu Aikins.

Liz has a BA from Tufts University in International Relations and Economics, an MA from University College London in Education and International Development, and a Graduate Certificate in Early Grade Reading in Developing Countries from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Gabby Guerra

Grants and Reporting Manager

Gabby Guerra has diverse experience working within fundraising, partnerships, communications, and advocacy for NGOs within the peacebuilding, education, and refugee assistance sectors. In addition to her experience with Charmaghz, she has expertise working with NGOs in the MENA region, and has lived in Jordan for the past four years.

Gabby is from the US and grew up in Indiana. Her professional decisions have been strongly influenced by her upbringing, which fostered a love of learning and curiosity. She grew up fascinated by stories from around the world and developed a love of learning about different cultures. She is deeply committed to ensuring children around the world are also encouraged to learn and have agency in creating beautiful futures for themselves and others.

Gabby graduated from Anderson University with a BA in International Relations and National Security, and obtained her MA from George Washington University in International Relations.

Safa Aheeq

Human Resource Officer

Safa Asheeq was born in Kabul, and studied Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic University. She is a highly skilled computer engineer with a unique blend of technical expertise and experience in the HR field. With a strong passion for technology and human resources, she has carved a niche for herself at the intersection of these two disciplines. With six years of experience in HR and IT, Safa has developed a deep understanding of hardware and software systems, specialising in software development, data analysis, and network architecture.

In addition to her technical background, Safa has acquired valuable experience in the HR field. She has worked in roles that involve HR strategy, talent management, employee engagement, and data-driven decision-making. This unique combination of expertise allows her to bridge the gap between technology and people, finding innovative ways to leverage technology for HR initiatives and enhance the overall employee experience. Her ability to understand the needs of both the technical and HR departments makes her a valuable asset in driving HR initiatives that are aligned with organisational goals. Safa is known for her strong communication and interpersonal skills, which enable her to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. She has a passion for understanding the human resource element within technology-driven environments and strives to create inclusive and engaging workplaces.

Outside of work, Safa enjoys staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in both computer engineering and HR. She actively participates in industry conferences, professional development programs, and online communities to continuously expand her knowledge and stay ahead of emerging trends.