Back in 2014, Worldwide Education Fund board member, Sadiq Ali visited the mountainous region of Tajikistan, where he witnessed something deeply moving — a generation of young people struggling with hopelessness, unemployment, and despair. Stories of suicides among youth were common, and opportunities for growth were almost nonexistent
That visit became a turning point. Sadiq, along with Kamal, began thinking of ways to help the youth rebuild their confidence and create a better future. They started by establishing training centers to teach young people practical and business skills. The goal was simple but powerful — to help them earn a livelihood with dignity and become self-reliant in their own communities.
Over time, this mission grew stronger. What started as a small effort to build skills evolved into an education-based movement — giving young people access not just to income but to opportunity. In 2023, the team took a bold next step by launching the American University of Central Asia and University of Central Asia Scholarship Program, making higher education a reality for talented but underprivileged students from Tajikistan.
Through the Worldwide Education Fund (WEF) — in collaboration with the AISA Fund of the Dallas Foundation, the Sadiq Ali family, and the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) — the Anwar Mandani Rising Star Scholarship Program was born. This initiative does much more than pay tuition; it opens doors to quality education, leadership development, and personal growth.
Impacts So Far
With support from generous donors, 52 scholarships have already been awarded to bright Tajik students who once thought university was out of reach. 12 students received scholarships in 2023–2024. 16 students in 2024–2025. 24 students in 2025–2026. All students have shown outstanding performance, with the average cumulative GPA at 3.15, and many excelling in both academics and extracurricular activities. The first cohort of graduates completed their AUCA journey with distinction — becoming shining examples of perseverance and purpose. Among them, Manizha Niyatbekova and Zaynab Nazirova stood out with exceptional performance. These students are now role models — young change-makers ready to serve their communities and shape the future of their country.
Annual Narrative Report 2023 – 2024 & 2024 – 2025
Building on this success, Sadiq Ali and the WEF teamhave now extended this transformative mission to the University of Central Asia (UCA). 14 students have now been selected for the UCA scholarships, marking another milestone in expanding access to higher education for youth in remote regions. This next phase ensures that even more youth from Tajikistan’s remote regions can access high-quality education closer to home — keeping talent rooted in their communities while opening global pathways for learning and leadership. With both AUCA and UCA scholarships combined, a total of 66 students has now benefited from this initiative across Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
This journey, led by Sadiq Ali, his dedicated team in Tajikistan and Worldwide Education Fund, shows how one spark of compassion can ignite lasting change. From skills training to world-class university education, the vision remains the same — to bring hope, dignity, and opportunity to every young person who dreams of a better tomorrow.
Together, we are not just funding education — we are transforming lives, families, and communities across Tajikistan.
