Empowering

Children,

Youth,

and

Women

Through

Education

and

Sustainable

Livelihoods

For over 25 years, War Child Canada has advocated for children and families in war-torn areas around the world, fostering their capacity to develop long-term solutions to recover from the impact of conflict. In enduring decades of turmoil, supporting children and families in Afghanistan has become a core part of War Child Canada’s work. When political shifts occurred in 2021 and the Taliban came back to power, the need for War Child Canada’s support became even more crucial. 

Driven by the urgent needs of displaced families in Nangarhar Province, War Child Canada, with support from The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, launched the Afghan Livelihoods and Education Assistance Delivery (LEAD) project in 2024. The initiative is transforming lives by equipping women and youth with skills to support income generation, address health and nutritional challenges, and rebuild community resilience. Equally powerful is the Project’s expansion of educational access, enabling out-of-school children — especially girls — to attend classes in welcoming, well-resourced schools.  The Project aims to support 600 women and youth and 2,000 out-of-school children from returnee and host communities over a three-year period. 

Many community members, particularly women, have expressed appreciation for War Child Canada’s support, noting that this was the first time they received livelihood-focused support. Hadisa, a mother with her own home-based tailoring business, struggled without proper equipment and supplies to sustain her business and provide for her family. When the leader of her village introduced her to War Child Canada’s Business Development Support Program — part of the Afghan LEAD Project — she learned valuable skills to help her business thrive. “Now I can manage everything on my own,” Hadisa said. “This support has helped me stand on my own two feet.”

Through this work, the Afghan LEAD Project is fostering hope, independence, and brighter futures for thousands of families who are rebuilding their lives after conflict and displacement.