The Journey of Yasamin Amiry

My story begins in refugee camps, where I learned firsthand how life can change when someone is given an opportunity. I come from a large Afghan family with three sisters and six brothers. Like many families displaced by war, we spent much of our childhood living as refugees. Life was not easy. Resources were limited, opportunities were scarce, and most families were focused on survival. As a refugee child, I did not have the opportunity to attend school. While many children spent their days learning in classrooms, I woke up at 5:00 every morning to make carpets and help support my family. At the time, it was the only life I knew. Looking back, I realize how many refugee children grow up without access to education or the chance to discover their talents and pursue their dreams. Those experiences shaped my understanding of the world and later inspired my commitment to helping others. I know what it feels like when opportunities seem out of reach, and I know how life-changing it can be when someone finally opens a door. At that time, however, I was simply a young girl in a refugee camp, helping my family survive one day at a time, unaware of how much my life was about to change.

My Parents and the Power of Education

Neither of my parents had the opportunity to receive a formal education. My father grew up in a small village in Afghanistan. From a young age, he worked alongside his brothers to help support the family. Although he never had the chance to receive the education he wanted, he never stopped learning. Through experience, observation, and hard work, he came to understand something that would shape the future of his children: education creates opportunity. My mother also grew up without access to many of the opportunities available to children today. Because of their own experiences, my parents wanted a different future for their children. My father often told us: “I know the power of education, and I wish I had the chance to receive one.” Those words stayed with me. He believed education creates confidence, independence, and hope. When he finally had the opportunity to give his children what he never had, he made it a priority. No matter the challenges, he remained committed to our future. One of the lessons my father taught me was that true leadership often means having the courage to follow your convictions, even when the path is difficult. He believed his children should have the opportunity to learn, grow, dream, and reach their full potential. Looking back, I realize that much of what I accomplished began with one person who believed in me before anyone else did. Long before I became an athlete, a community leader, or the founder of Afghan Girls Empowerment, I was simply a little girl whose father believed in her. That belief changed everything.

Returning to Afghanistan (2002)

After years of living as refugees, my family finally had the opportunity to return to Afghanistan. Like many refugee families, returning home was something we had dreamed about for years. We were grateful to be back in our country, but the reality of returning after years of war was not easy. The house we moved into had been badly damaged. Parts of the roof were destroyed, rain leaked inside during the winter, and my father worked tirelessly to make it livable for our family. Despite these challenges, I felt hopeful. We were finally home, and for the first time, I could begin imagining a different future. Then one day, something unexpected happened. While my siblings and I were outside, we noticed an American couple walking through our neighborhood in Kabul. Curious and excited, we approached them and invited them to our home for tea. At the time, it seemed like a simple act of hospitality. Looking back, it was one of the most important moments of my life. I could never have imagined that the couple we invited for tea that day would eventually become my American family. Nor could I have imagined that one conversation would open doors that would shape my future and, years later, inspire me to create Afghan Girls Empowerment. At the time, however, I was simply a young girl who had no idea that a simple invitation for tea was about to change the course of my life forever.

Meeting My American Family

What began as a simple invitation for tea soon grew into a meaningful friendship. Although we spoke different languages, we connected through kindness, trust, and a genuine interest in one another’s lives. Over time, the American couple became more than friends; they became my American family. As our relationship grew, they asked my father how they could help. At the time, our home had been badly damaged by war. The roof leaked during the winter, and repairs were badly needed. My father could have asked for help fixing the house. Instead, he asked for one thing:

Education for his daughters.

He believed education would create opportunities that no repaired house ever could. Because of that decision, I had the opportunity to attend an American school, learn English, and gain access to experiences I never imagined possible. Looking back, I realize that my future changed because my father chose education over circumstances. His decision opened doors that would shape the rest of my life.

Discovering Soccer (2003)

Shortly after returning to Afghanistan, new opportunities slowly began to emerge. One of those opportunities was soccer. In 2003, after the fall of the Taliban, one of the first Afghan girls’ soccer teams was formed. My American family helped support the team, and my sister and I were among the girls who joined. Every Friday became soccer day. We had no uniforms, no professional coaches, and very little understanding of the game. We simply gathered on a field and played because we loved it. Soccer quickly became more than a sport. It became a place where I felt free, confident, and happy. Whenever I stepped onto the field, the challenges of everyday life seemed to disappear. One of my favorite memories happened on my sister’s wedding day. We spent hours getting ready, wearing beautiful dresses and high heels. But it was also Friday soccer day. Before the wedding celebration began, we slipped away to play soccer. Believe it or not, I was running across the field and kicking a soccer ball while wearing high heels. Looking back, it sounds unbelievable, but it showed how much I loved the game. What began as a group of girls playing soccer every Friday would eventually open doors I never imagined possible. Soccer would take me across the world, introduce me to incredible mentors, and one day give me the opportunity to represent Afghanistan on the national team. At the time, however, I was simply a young girl who had fallen in love with the game, unaware of how far that journey would take me.

My Sister’s Wedding Day

My First Trip to America (2004)

As soccer became a larger part of my life, new opportunities began to appear. In 2004, my sister and I, along with six other Afghan girls, were given an opportunity that felt unimaginable at the time: a trip to the United States. Before we could travel, we had to go to Pakistan to obtain our visas. Even that journey felt extraordinary. I was excited. Everything I knew about America came from movies, television, and stories. I could hardly believe that I was finally going to see it for myself. While I counted down the days, my parents faced a difficult decision. Sending two young daughters across the world was not easy. But over the years, the American couple had earned my father’s trust through their kindness, integrity, and commitment to helping others. He believed in them, and that trust gave him the confidence to say yes. When I arrived in America, I was amazed. The sights were impressive, but what stayed with me most was something much deeper. For the first time, I met people who believed in our potential and wanted to see us succeed. That trip expanded my understanding of what was possible. It showed me that circumstances do not have to define a person’s future and that a single opportunity can open the door to many others. I returned to Afghanistan with greater confidence, a broader perspective, and a belief that my future could be bigger than I had ever imagined. I did not know it then, but soccer was only beginning to change my life.

Julie Foudy Soccer Camp and My First Leadership Project

One of the greatest opportunities I received through soccer was attending the Julie Foudy Soccer Camp in the United States. The camp introduced me to talented players, experienced coaches, and inspiring mentors. During my time there, I was honored to receive the Golden Shoe Award, a recognition that meant far more to me than soccer alone. The most important thing I gained from the camp, however, was the opportunity to create a community project. Camp participants were invited to submit project proposals, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to create opportunities for other children in Afghanistan through soccer, just as soccer had created opportunities for me. I submitted a proposal called Building Boys and Girls Soccer Teams in Afghanistan, and to my excitement, it was selected. The project provided uniforms, soccer shoes, goals, and equipment to help bring the idea to life. For the first time, I was not just participating in a program, I was leading one. Looking back, this was my first experience creating opportunities for others. Years later, those same lessons would become the foundation of Afghan Girls Empowerment.

Building Boys and Girls Soccer Teams in Afghanistan

After returning to Afghanistan, it was time to bring the project to life. The uniforms, soccer shoes, goals, and equipment had arrived. Now I needed to build the teams. Finding players was the easy part. Young people were excited to participate. The bigger challenge was organizing practices, securing a field, and creating a program that could run successfully. There were moments when I questioned whether the project would work, but I remained committed to the goal. Soccer had opened doors in my own life, and I wanted other children to experience those same opportunities. Through persistence, teamwork, and community support, the program began to take shape. Before long, boys and girls were training, learning, and building confidence through sports. Looking back, this project taught me some of the most important lessons of my life. I learned how to solve problems, bring people together, and create opportunities where none seemed to exist. Although I did not realize it at the time, this was my first experience leading a community program. Years later, many of those same lessons would help me build Afghan Girls Empowerment. What started as a soccer project became the beginning of my leadership journey.

Joining the Afghan Women’s National Soccer Team (2006)

In 2006, another opportunity changed the course of my life. After only a few years of playing soccer, I was selected to join the Afghan Women’s National Soccer Team. Representing Afghanistan was an incredible honor. When I put on the national team jersey for the first time, I felt a deep sense of pride and responsibility. I was no longer playing only for myself; I was representing my country on the international stage. Being part of the national team taught me discipline, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. It challenged me to grow both as an athlete and as a person. Soccer had already opened many doors in my life, but joining the national team showed me what was possible when opportunity, hard work, and determination come together. Looking back, I never could have imagined that the young girl who once made carpets in a refugee camp would one day represent Afghanistan around the world. Yet that is exactly what happened. The journey was only beginning.

Afghan Women’s National Soccer Team – Jersey # 21

Woman of the Match (2012)

Over the next several years, I had the privilege of representing Afghanistan as a member of the Afghan Women’s National Soccer Team. Every time I stepped onto the field wearing the Afghanistan jersey, I carried with me the lessons, sacrifices, and opportunities that had shaped my journey. One of the most memorable moments of my soccer career came in 2012 when I was named Woman of the Match. Standing on the field and receiving that recognition was an unforgettable experience. It was a moment of pride, gratitude, and reflection. But the moment that meant the most happened afterward. When I saw my father, he had tears in his eyes. He was proud not because of an award or a soccer match, but because he had spent years believing in the power of education, opportunity, and a better future for his children. At that moment, I thought about the journey that had brought me there from making carpets as a child to representing Afghanistan on the soccer field. Looking back, I realize that the award represented much more than athletic achievement. It represented resilience, opportunity, and the belief that one opportunity can change the course of a life. For me, that moment will always be one of the proudest memories of my life. My father passed away in 2015. Although he is no longer physically with me, his belief in the power of education and opportunity continues to guide every decision I make. Everything I do through Afghan Girls Empowerment is a reflection of the values he taught me.

MY BELOVED FATHER

Women of the Match Award (2012)

From Athlete to Mentor

While representing Afghanistan was one of the greatest honors of my life, some of my most meaningful experiences happened off the field. Between 2008 and 2011, I had the opportunity to coach both boys and girls. Working with young athletes taught me that leadership is about more than personal success; it is about helping others discover their potential. As a coach, I saw how sports could build confidence, discipline, teamwork, and hope. I watched young players grow not only as athletes but as individuals. Those experiences reminded me of my own journey and the opportunities that had changed my life. Just as others had invested in me, I wanted to invest in the next generation. Looking back, coaching was about much more than soccer. It was my first experience mentoring young people, building confidence in others, and helping them believe in themselves. Although I did not realize it at the time, these experiences were preparing me for the work I would do years later through Afghan Girls Empowerment. The field had taught me how to lead. Coaching taught me how to serve.

Building a Future

In 2013, I moved to the United States and began a new chapter of my life. As I reflected on my journey from refugee camps to the Afghan National Team, I realized that every opportunity I received was made possible because someone believed in me. That realization led me to an important question:

How could I create those same opportunities for others?

The answer would eventually become Afghan Girls Empowerment.

Founding Afghan Girls Empowerment (AGE)

Throughout my life, people believed in me and opened doors of opportunity. My parents believed in education. My American family invested in my future. Coaches and mentors encouraged me to dream bigger than my circumstances. Because of those opportunities, my life changed. I founded Afghan Girls Empowerment (AGE) to help create those same opportunities for other girls. Through education, skills development, creative arts, fitness, wellness, and mentorship, AGE helps Afghan girls build confidence, discover their potential, and create brighter futures. In many ways, AGE is the result of my own journey. My story is proof that one opportunity can change a life.

My mission is to help create those opportunities for others.