We take pride in helping Afghan storytellers from all walks of life achieve the recognition and platform they deserve.
Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the global spotlight has largely shifted away from Afghanistan—but the crisis persists. Under the Taliban's draconian rule, Afghan youth—especially girls and women—have been silenced, erased from classrooms, media, and public life. And across the diaspora, Afghan voices are often misrepresented or lost entirely, reduced to simplistic tropes of victimhood or violence. Our stories have long been told for us, not by us.
A Thousand Voices was born from a belief that storytelling is resistance— and that reclaiming our narratives is essential to challenge the global perceptions about Afghanistan. This project is a Project for Peace and Thomas C. Barry Fellowship initiative, aiming to collect and showcase fiction and nonfiction pieces from Afghan youth around the world.
Through storytelling workshops, creative mentorship, and strategic partnerships with NGOs and universities across the world A Thousand Voices offers a platform for young Afghans to write, breaking stereotypes and highlighting the diversity, creativity, and hope that still exists within and beyond Afghan borders.
The top 3 winners will receive great cash prizes. The top 80-100 stories will be published on our website and featured in a professionally published anthology, launching on August 15, 2026—marking five years since the fall of Kabul. The project will culminate in a global storytelling conference spotlighting Afghan youth, authors, and partners who believe in the power of words to heal, connect, and transform.
Our story is a testament to the power of storytelling and cultural exchange. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and crafted a narrative of growth and achievement in amplifying Afghan voices.
We create safe, nurturing spaces where young Afghans can share their stories, find confidence in their voice, and begin to shape their futures with pride and purpose.
Through storytelling, we challenge prevailing stereotypes and show the world the depth, creativity, and strength of Afghan people—not as victims, but as vibrant changemakers.
We build community through media, partnerships, and shared storytelling—making sure these voices are heard, celebrated, and supported across borders.
Our diverse team brings together expertise in literature, technology, and Afghan culture to create meaningful opportunities for writers.
Loading creative minds...
If you would like to collaborate, partner, or help bring this vision to life in any capacity, please reach out. And to all the young Afghans across the world: we can't wait to read your stories.
