SOLA’s goal is to prepare the very best Afghan students for study in the United States and abroad so that they can return home and be the future leaders of Afghanistan. 

SOLA puts special emphasis on creating the conditions for ambitious young women to pursue their studies. It provides a dorm free of charge as well as transportation.

SOLA was founded in 2008 by Ted Achilles who ran the Afghan Division of American Councils for Inter-national Education for 4 of his 7 years in Afghanistan.  Among a number of supporters are Don and Sally Goodrich (the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation), The Abdul Majid Zabuli Foundation, Hector Vila (Middlebury College), Friends of Afghanistan (300 Returned Afghan Peace Corps volunteers), and Masha Hamilton (Afghan Women’s Writing Project).  All are focused on creating peace and understanding across cultures.

School – Daily classes are held at SOLA in English and math. Discussion groups and seminars are part of an on-going effort to improve verbal and written communication skills. SOLA’s in house instructors include Afghan experts as well as visiting scholars from the U.S. and Canada.  In addition, an online writing course is taught by well-known American writers.       

Leadership – Leadership training is a key element in SOLA’s mission. Students are expected, as part of the SOLA “family,” to demonstrate the talent and discipline that they would need as the future leaders of Afghanistan. Each student is coached in leadership training. They are challenged, given significant responsibilities, and held to high standards, all within a context that reflects vision, values teamwork, and is mindful of cultural context. 

Afghanistan – Why would any bright young Afghan, receiving a degree from a well-known university in the US, return to Afghanistan? The answer is clear: loyalty to their country and a commitment to family. The connection to Afghanistan is strong. SOLA’s students are motivated to improve the welfare of the Afghan people. They are determined to make a difference.

Placing returned graduates in leadership positions in Afghanistan is an essential component of SOLA’s mission. Through established connections and the reputation of SOLA in Afghanistan, the doors to leadership positions are open to these highly capable students.

The future of Afghanistan lies in its leadership.  SOLA is working to create those leaders. They are the hope for an educated, progressive and prosperous future. They are being imbued with a sense of service and commitment to their people. They will come home to prosper in every sense of the word – as Afghanistan's leaders in both the private and public sectors. 

Participants in programs managed by Ted Achilles out of his Kabul offices have gone on to study at Bard, Bates, Beloit, Bennington, Colorado, Des Moines Area Community College, Holy Cross, Houston Honors, Meredith, Middlebury, Mt Holyoke, Nagoya, Richmond, St. Lawrence, Sweet Briar, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Wellesley and Williams among others.  The roster of student awards and recognition include a number of 4 point students, Freshman of the Year, President of the Freshman Class, President of International students, and election to the student-faculty Honor Code Committee.