Sadaf Zahedi: From Bremen Refugee to Global Education Advocate

Sadaf Zahedi, a Bremen-based activist and author, is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to children worldwide, particularly those in underserved communities. Her journey, marked by personal hardship and a commitment to social justice, has led her to found the “Education without Books” initiative and advocate for the rights of young women both in Germany and internationally.

Early Life and Challenges

Born in Afghanistan, Zahedi arrived in Germany with her family at the age of four and grew up in Bremen. She describes a challenging childhood characterized by social isolation and strict traditional expectations. “I had no social contacts, I had to be at home. Cleaning, praying – five times a day,” she recounts. At 15, she faced the prospect of a forced marriage to a man in Norway chosen by her parents, a situation that initially led her to believe that marriage, motherhood, and abuse were inevitable aspects of life. Radio Bremen reports that Zahedi, now 41, reflects on this time, stating, “I thought you get married, you’re a mother, you get beaten and that’s life and I thought everyone lives like that.”

Zahedi experienced abuse and oppression within her family, fueling a long fight for personal freedom. Despite these challenges, she completed her high school education and went on to study business administration.

“Education without Books” Initiative

Zahedi co-founded the “Education without Books” project with engineer Samuel Thomas Buschhorn. The initiative provides MP3 players loaded with audiobooks, along with solar panels for charging, to children in impoverished regions who lack access to traditional schooling. The audiobooks are available in the children’s native languages and in English, allowing them to learn independently. Radio Bremen notes that Zahedi has established contacts in Uganda, Cameroon, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Afghanistan to distribute these resources, even navigating the complexities of obtaining over 30 permits from the Taliban to deliver aid to Afghanistan.

The project involves a team of over 20 volunteers from various countries who translate and record the audiobooks in their native languages. A ten-year study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Münster and Bremen, is underway to assess the project’s effectiveness.

Advocacy in Germany

Zahedi’s commitment extends to Germany, where she leads values dialogues in schools. She draws on her own experiences as a young woman fleeing violence, recalling a lack of support from authorities. “Neither the police helped me, nor the women’s shelter could help me. Not because they didn’t want to, they were overcrowded,” she stated. Radio Bremen reports that young girls continue to confide in her about their experiences, highlighting the importance of breaking the silence surrounding abuse and intimidation.

Concerns for the Future

Sadaf Zahedi has expressed concerns about the future, both for herself and her children, in light of rising experiences with racism. Buten un Binnen reported in March 2026 that she is worried about the current climate. ARD Mediathek also highlighted her concerns about the experiences of people with migration histories in Bremen in 2025.

Zahedi continues to write and share her experiences through readings and performances, while also working in the dental industry and raising three children. She questions why her daughters have opportunities that are denied to children in other parts of the world, emphasizing that “no one chooses which history we are born into or which part of the world.”