Ghulam Yahya Arez is a passionate young man advocate for youth empowerment and education, dedicated to creating opportunities for learning and growth in Afghanistan. He is originally from Afghanistan. A 2019 graduate of Pegah High School, Ghulam Yahya aims to pursue higher education in Computer Science and Economics in the United States.
Ghulam Yahya served as the President of the Pegah Student Council in 2018. During high school, he also participated as the Delegate of Balk province in the 3rd Edition of the Pamir International Model United Nations in 2018. He also represented Pegah High School in the “Book Reading Festival” in 2019 at the French Institute under the Embassy of France in Afghanistan. He is talented in story-writing and he published more than 20 short stories in various books including Pegah-e-Parvaaz collection and Taste of Smoke.
Driven by the belief that “education can change everything,” he founded the Jawana Foundation, a youth-led non-profit organization focused on empowering young Afghans to build brighter futures. Following the Taliban’s return to power, Ghulam Yahya intensified his efforts to support girls’ education, providing access to learning programs for over 150 young women and advocating tirelessly for their right to education.
Through his collaboration with EmpowerEd Afghan and BaleParvaaz Organization, Ghulam Yahya has become a vital link between Afghan students and U.S. college resources. His efforts have yielded transformative outcomes, including scholarships for Afghan girls at Smith College and Macalester College. Locally, he worked with the Awareness Brokers Organization in Kabul to bring hope and tangible support to communities in need.
In addition to these, Ghulam Yahya founded SanoberStudio, a creative agency specializing in graphic design, web design, branding, and photography. This entrepreneurial venture reflects his passion for technology and innovation, which he hopes to integrate into his future academic and professional pursuits.
Ghulam Yahya’s work is characterized by his empathy, adaptability, and commitment to finding collaborative solutions to challenges. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys spending time outdoors especially hiking and values teamwork, always striving to make a lasting positive impact on the world around him.
