About Us

Our founder Najma Sael was just one of the nearly thirteen-thousand Afghan refugees who arrived at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin following the fall of the US-backed Afghan government. The evacuation left behind a tangled web of emotions for her: anxiety about her future in the US, worry for her family and friends who had not been able to get out, and anger at the mass tragedy. As she spent her nights walking up and down the roads of Ft. McCoy, she couldn't stop thinking about students who unlike her, did not get out. She realized the only way to create a better future for her country was to give the next generation all the tools they needed, to find compassion through education, and to have a brighter future they could build from their hope. That is why she decided to start LAARA, so she could help create that hope for the future.

Our Story

LAARA, meaning The Path, was founded upon a solemn promise — a commitment to open opportunities for Afghan youth and to foster a future illuminated by education, resilience, and hope.

Our founder, Najma Sael, was among nearly thirteen thousand Afghan refugees who arrived at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, following the collapse of the US-backed Afghan government. Confronted with uncertainty and profound loss, Najma grappled with anxiety about her own future, concern for those left behind, and a deep resolve to effect meaningful change.

During quiet nights spent walking the roads of Fort McCoy, Najma’s reflections turned to the countless students who had not escaped the turmoil. She recognized that the only sustainable path toward rebuilding Afghanistan lay in empowering its next generation with the tools of education, compassion, and opportunity.

The origins of LAARA extend back to 2019, when Najma, then a young woman in Kabul, pursued a scholarship to attend the American University of Afghanistan. Facing overwhelming obstacles, she made a heartfelt promise: “God, if you open a path for me, I will open paths for others.” This promise became the foundation upon which LAARA was built.

From one hopeful student to a movement for hundreds, LAARA grew as a beacon for Afghan youth facing impossible barriers. It is led by those who have walked the path themselves, committed to clearing the way.
LAARA is more than an organization — it is The Path itself. A journey from loss to enlightenment, from fear to empowerment.

We are dedicated to upholding our promise to accompany Afghan youth through mentorship, scholarships, and international collaboration, ensuring they need not choose between survival and their potential.

LAARA stands as a testament to resilience and hope. It is a commitment to constructing a sustainable future from the ruins of conflict, preserving open doors for future generations, and affirming education as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.

This is LAARA — The Path to a better tomorrow.