Give widows the skills to rebuild their lives with dignity
Orphan Sponsorship Scheme
Widow Skills Training
For many widows, the loss of a husband means more than grief. It often means the sudden loss of income, protection, and the ability to provide for children. Left with few options and little support, many widows face daily hardship simply to survive.
Widow Skills Training exists to change that reality.
This programme helps widows gain practical, income-generating skills so they can support their families, regain confidence, and rebuild their lives with dignity rather than dependency. It is not short-term relief, it is a pathway to stability, purpose, and long-term self-reliance.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah’s Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all day” [Al Bukhari].
Why skills training matters
When a woman is widowed, her world can change overnight. In Afghanistan, widows are among the most vulnerable members of society, often facing poverty, social isolation, and extremely limited opportunities to earn an income.
Without support, families can be pushed deeper into hardship. Children may be forced out of education, food becomes uncertain, and dignity is slowly eroded.
Skills training offers a way forward. By learning practical, income-generating skills, widows can:
Real lives transformed
Mariam, a 35-year-old widow from Ghazni province, lost her husband during ongoing conflict and was left alone to care for her three children. With no formal education or reliable source of income, she struggled to meet even her family’s most basic needs.
Through the Widow Skills Training programme, Mariam enrolled in embroidery and handicraft training. Alongside practical skills, she received mentoring and guidance on how to manage a small home-based business.
Within a year, Mariam was able to produce and sell embroidered goods in local markets. Her income now allows her to provide regular meals for her children and keep them in education.
Mariam’s story reflects what is possible when widows are given the opportunity to learn, earn, and rebuild their lives with dignity.
Your impact
Last year alone, 35 widows completed structured skills training through this programme, gaining the skills and confidence needed to support their families.
In Afghanistan, more than 4.5 million women are widowed, many becoming the sole providers for their households with very limited opportunities to earn an income. Each widow trained represents an entire family protected from long-term poverty.
Zakat-eligible support
Widow Skills Training is Zakat eligible. Your Zakat supports widows who qualify under Islamic guidelines, helping them gain the means to support themselves and their dependants with dignity.
Giving Zakat through skills training creates lasting impact beyond immediate relief.
Say yes to Humanity
Annual Report
We are pleased to submit last year’s Annual Report, which shows our most valued achievements only possible thanks to your donations. We hope this assures our donors about our commitment to our causes. Review the report by clicking the download button below. Thank You!
Rebuilding Lives & Communities
Annual Report 2026
[Download]
Transparency and trust
Aryana Aid is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship. Our Annual Report documents real, measurable impact across our programmes.
In the same reporting period:
These figures reflect a wider humanitarian commitment alongside targeted empowerment programmes for widows.
Help a widow rebuild her future today
By supporting Widow Skills Training, you are helping a widow provide for her children, regain her independence, and rebuild her future with dignity.
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