Removed from school in her native Afghanistan at age 12 to help her family at home, Zahra was heartbroken to not be able to continue her education. She was desperate to keep learning and was curious about the world.  However, in her local community, it was tradition that girls and women support their families in farming or in the home.

When she moved to Australia, she knew she needed to learn English.

She enrolled to study the Course in English as an Additional Language (EAL) at Chisholm Institute of TAFE, and eagerly embraced the gift of education. 

As she gained confidence, she became eager to support other multicultural women to find their voice. She wants the world to listen to their stories.

It was a Pathways Officer at Chisholm who encouraged Zahra to write; to express herself through poetry and bravely share her voice on YouTube and Instagram.  She now has a strong group of followers who can relate to the content she shares, and who regularly share the content with their networks and beyond. 

She also regularly communicates with news media to contribute opinion to debates and current affairs topics, such as gender, culture and education.

Zahra’s poetry represents the voice of her culture and generation.  She is determined that more Afghan women should experience the opportunities that education has provided her.

Zahra was named the winner of the Foundation Student of the Year Award in the 2024 Chisholm Education Awards.

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