Who We Are

Charmaghz was founded in 2018 by Afghan child rights activist Freshta Karim. It began with an old public bus that was transformed into the country’s first colorful mobile library, promoting literacy, peacebuilding, and critical thinking among children. Over the next seven years, this grew into a network of 17 Mobile Libraries, including buses and vans, that brought books and learning into communities across Kabul, reaching over 1.1 million visits from children.

By 2025, however, growing operational challenges made it no longer feasible to continue running the Mobile Libraries. While this chapter came to a close, the need to support Afghan children, especially girls, had only become more urgent. 

Today, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are officially banned from attending secondary school, limiting not only their access to education but also their pathways to employment, economic independence, and the ability to shape their own futures.

In response, Charmaghz is evolving its mission. Through our U.S. nonprofit, The Freshta Foundation, we are launching new online education initiatives designed specifically for Afghan girls, creating learning pathways, mentorship, and opportunities that help them continue their education despite the barriers they face.

The name Charmaghz, meaning “four brains” in Farsi, reflects the belief that learning expands human potential. As our work grows and adapts to changing realities, that belief continues to guide everything we do.