The Women of Color Club (WOCO) and Middle Eastern Student Alliance (MESA) Affinity Group held a bake sale to support school-aged Afghan girls on Nov. 12 on the Quad during lunch and conference time.
The proceeds from the bake sale were donated to the Sahar Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and fostering independence among Afghan girls by fighting against educational restrictions. In Afghanistan, over 1.1 million young women lack access to educational resources, according to the nonprofit’s website.
MESA club leader Dhara Jobrani ’26 said he felt fulfilled in supporting and leading a fundraiser that will help support a cause of fundamental rights.
“Everyday under the Taliban, it becomes harder and harder for women in Afghanistan to get access to an education,” Jobrani said. “I feel like if I deserve an education, they do too, and I hope, through this fundraiser, us leaders at MESA can help their cause.”
WOCO leader Ivy Wang ’26 said the bake sale helped her connect with people who visited the fundraiser table.
“The best part about fundraisers is interacting with people,” Wang said. “A lot of people come to the table, and it’s a lot of fun telling them what the fundraiser is about, then convincing them it’s a worthy cause. Everyone is super generous, and you get to meet people you would never cross paths with on a normal day.”
Raya Soper ’26, who donated to the fundraiser, said she appreciates the opportunity to support widespread education in Afghanistan
“I always try to support causes that are meaningful to me, and I appreciate MESA and WOCO putting together a bake sale that promotes widespread education for women in Afghanistan,” Soper said. “I strongly believe in the right to education, and I am glad the bake sale gave me the chance to give a donation to support the cause.”
Wang said the bake sale was an important way to recognize the privileges students have and support those who are not given those same advantages.
“I hold so much respect for them and their attempts to defy an incredibly oppressive system,” Wang said. “A surmountable amount of Afghan girls don’t receive an education, and any chance to learn is a privilege for them. I am under the impression that Harvard-Westlake students take their education for granted, and we don’t recognize our privilege because of the school we attend. It’s really important to acknowledge the bubble we live in. A lot of people complain about our school system, and although I admit there are significant problems here, it’s important to be grateful that we have these opportunities.”
