Elena’s Light was founded in 2017 , by Fereshteh Ganjavi, a refugee woman from Afghanistan who came to the United States with her mother in 2011.

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Being a refugee herself, Fereshteh has experienced first-hand how education, or the lack of it, has the power to determine one’s future and ability to move beyond current circumstances. As a child, Fereshteh was unable to continue going to school as a refugee in the Middle East because her family lacked proper documentation. Although unable to continue her own education formally, Fereshteh shadowded adult classes in her community and also became a teacher for other refugee children in her neighbourhood that were similarly denied an education.

After arriving in the United States, Fereshteh was able to graduate with a degree in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University. Now, Fereshteh provides the same education opportunities she has received to other refugee women and children through Elena’s Light.

Elena’s Light, named after Fereshteh’s daughter Elena - whose name means ‘light’ in Farsi - signifies the hope and opportunity that many refugees and immigrants leave their homes to find. Fereshteh is one of many refugees that share a similar story. With your support, Fereshteh and her team are able to provide this hope for a better future for many other women in our community

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