Our Story
Our story started in 2016 when a group of Australians came together with a shared vision: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a dynamic humanitarian organisation, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a global blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.
We believe that lasting change comes from within communities themselves. That’s why we actively promote volunteering and local engagement in Afghanistan, empowering people to use their own skills and resources to build resilience and self-reliance. From education and health to emergency relief and nutrition, our programs are designed to be practical, inclusive, and community-led.
Our motto, “Delivering Big Outcomes with Little Costs,” reflects our commitment to efficiency and impact. With limited resources, we strive to create maximum benefit—whether it’s through mobile libraries, multivitamin distribution, or emergency aid. Every dollar goes further when it’s driven by compassion, collaboration, and local knowledge.
Our Founder
As a refugee child, our founder Mahir Momand was once a beneficiary of one of the makeshift schools set up to educate Afghan children. These schools had no buildings or classrooms—children sat on the bare ground under open skies, driven by the hope of a brighter future. The books they received were often black and white, with content focused on basic literacy, sometimes illustrated with images of guns and bullets—a reflection of the harsh realities of conflict.
Years later, after completing tertiary education and gaining international experience, Mahir founded the HADIA Foundation in 2016 with a vision to change that narrative. He wanted Afghan children to have access to colourful books that teach peace, coexistence, and self-reliance—resources that inspire rather than intimidate. His belief is simple yet powerful: educated and healthy people are key to building a stable Afghanistan.
Mahir is a development expert who has worked with the United Nations, the World Bank, and served as a Senior Financial Advisor to the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the Afghan Government. Coming from a large, hardworking family and arriving in Australia as a refugee, Mahir brought with him a deep passion for improving the lives of those still suffering in his native homeland.
In the news
- Education
According to World Atlas, Afghanistan ranks as the 3rd country with most number of landmines and unexploded devices. This, together with decades of war has taken a toll on the Afghan population leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians amputees. HADIA
- Education
USA-based Fair Observer speaks to HADIA Foundation about its flagship mobile library.
- Education
In speaking with our Founder, SBS explores how HADIA has been assisting those in need of help.
In a country like Afghanistan, where decades of conflict have disrupted education and isolated communities, books are more than just pages bound together—they are lifelines to opportunity, imagination, and hope. For both children and adults, access to books can be
When an earthquake strikes, it doesn’t just shake the ground—it shatters lives. In Afghanistan, where communities are already vulnerable due to decades of conflict and poverty, the impact of a natural disaster is devastating. Homes collapse, families are torn apart,
Contact Us
If you need help
Phone
+93 792 000 000
Opening hours
Weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00 Afghanistan Time
Address
ABC Street Kabul Afghanistan
On cooperation issues
Phone
+61 415 909 007
Opening hours
Weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00 Australia Time
Address
23 Osgood Avenue, Marirckville, 2204 NSW.
