Talks for UK schools · National Year of Reading 2026
Talks that help young people find courage when life gets hard.
Assemblies, Sixth Form talks and workshops from a former CEO who led an education charity for children through war and exile.
- TEDxOxford speaker
- UN Security Council
- World Economic Forum, Davos
- BBC 100 Women
- Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia
- Oxford MPP
- Earth Company Impact Hero 2025
As featured in
Why schools book Freshta
A story students remember.
Freshta speaks to young people as someone who started young herself, and who has seen first-hand how much learning matters.
She started at 12
At 12 she presented a children's TV programme in Afghanistan. Later she founded Charmaghz, a mobile library network that brought books to children in Kabul.
Real courage, not theory
She led that organisation for ten years, through a Taliban takeover and exile, and went on to speak at the UN Security Council and Davos.
Fits what you already teach
Her talks support personal development, PSHE, careers education and global citizenship, and are shaped around your students.
Signature talks
Three talks built around what students need now
Each one draws on Freshta's own story and links to priorities your school is already working on. Any talk can be followed up with The Courage Journal.
Courage when the plan falls apart
Many young people feel anxious about the future. Freshta shares how she kept going through war and exile, and how to act even when you're scared.
- SupportsPersonal development, PSHE, wellbeing
- Best forAssemblies and Sixth Form
Focused on hope and resilience. Best followed up by your pastoral team.
Ask about this talkThe library on wheels
How a mobile library network brought books to children in Kabul, and why reading can change the course of a life.
- SupportsReading for pleasure, literacy, global citizenship
- Best forYears 7–9, World Book Day, library events
Finding your voice
From presenting children's TV at 12 to speaking at the UN: speaking up, leading others and standing up for fairness and respect.
- SupportsOracy, RSHE: positive role models, careers, leadership
- Best forStudent leaders, Sixth Form, girls' and boys' groups
As seen on Al Jazeera English
The library on wheels, in action
Al Jazeera English visited one of the library buses Freshta founded in Kabul. It's the real story behind her "library on wheels" talk.
Watch on YouTube ↗New for spring term 2027
The Courage Journal
A six-week guided journal for students aged 13–18. It keeps the conversation going long after Freshta's talk, in tutor time, PSHE or at home.
The word courage comes from the Latin cor, meaning heart. The journal helps students know what is in their heart and act on it, one small step at a time.
- Courage Pages: 10 minutes of free writing a day
- Brave Hour: one hour a week to try something new, at home or in school
- Brave Sentence: one line to carry through each week
- Six true stories from Freshta's life, with short prompts and weekly check-ins
Be the first to know
The journal will be available as a printable school licence, a trust licence for several schools, or class sets of printed copies. Register your interest and Freshta will email you the details and prices as soon as it's ready.
Or email freshtakarim123@gmail.com with "Courage Journal" in the subject.
Email address copied.
Talks for schools
Four ways to book Freshta
Any signature talk can be given in these formats. Every session is planned with you, so it fits your students and your timetable.
Assembly talk
A short, powerful story about courage, resilience and why education matters.
- Who it's forWhole school or a year group (Years 7–13)
- Length20–30 minutes
Sixth Form enrichment talk
Leadership, global issues and finding your path, with plenty of time for students' questions.
- Who it's forYears 12–13
- Length45–60 minutes, including Q&A
Student leadership workshop
A hands-on session on leading others, speaking up and staying steady under pressure.
- Who it's forPrefects, student council, young leaders
- LengthHalf day
Staff INSET session
For teachers and senior leaders: leading well through change and pressure, and looking after the people carrying the load.
- Who it's forTeaching staff and senior leadership teams
- Length1–2 hours
Leadership Q&A over tea
An informal, small-group conversation with Freshta on the same day as her talk. Students ask about leadership, setbacks, careers and finding their voice, in a relaxed setting where everyone gets to speak.
- Who it's forUp to 15 students: prefects, student leaders, a society or a Sixth Form group
- Length45–60 minutes
- How it worksBooked alongside a talk and priced as a separate add-on
Pictured: Leadership Q&As with students at Sherborne Girls (top) and Wells Cathedral School (bottom).
What students take away
Students leave inspired, and with something to act on.
- A real example of courage and resilience they will remember
- A new view of why their education matters
- Confidence to speak up and lead, at any age
- A wider view of the world and the careers in it
"The best enrichment session she had ever attended."
Head of School, Wells Cathedral School
Fits your school year
Great for these moments
Watch
See Freshta on stage
Three talks that show how Freshta holds a room, and where it all began.
TEDxOxford
Three Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of Extreme Uncertainty
Drawing on a decade of leading through war, political collapse and exile, Freshta shares three lessons for anyone facing change.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Earth Company · Bali 2025
Heroes Night 2025: Impact Hero talk
Named an Earth Company Impact Hero for 2025, Freshta spoke at Heroes Night in Bali about building mobile libraries for children in Afghanistan.
World Economic Forum · Davos 2022
"Prioritise education for girls"
Speaking to global leaders at Davos, Freshta made the case for girls' education, and for Afghan girls in particular, as a priority that cannot wait.
Watch on YouTube ↗Where it began
A 12-year-old news presenter
At 12, Freshta presented a children's news programme on Afghan television. It's where her love of storytelling began.
Where she has spoken
From school halls to the UN
Sixth Form enrichment talk
Panel on journalism, conflict and the girls left behind
Opening session keynote to education ministers
Panel: social entrepreneurship in conflict and post-conflict settings
- Monkton Combe SchoolThe Knight Lecture
- Wells Cathedral SchoolSixth Form enrichment
- Earth Company Heroes NightImpact Hero talk, Bali 2025
- UN Security CouncilBriefing on Afghanistan
Good to know
The practical details
Where
In person at schools across the UK, or online.
Before the visit
A short planning call so the talk fits your students, your aims and your timetable.
After the visit
Discussion questions teachers can use in tutor time or class to keep the conversation going.
Cost
School rates are available. Get in touch for a quote that fits your budget.
Also for school leaders and businesses
Keynotes for leaders and teams
Freshta also works with senior leadership teams, universities and conferences on leading through uncertainty and pressure. Keynotes, fireside conversations and panel moderation.
About Freshta
Education changed her life. Now she helps students see what theirs could be.
Freshta founded Charmaghz, a mobile library network that became one of Afghanistan's best-known education organisations and won a Library of Congress Literacy Award. She led it for a decade, through crisis after crisis.
She studied at the University of Oxford, has addressed the UN Security Council, spoken at Davos and written for The Economist. Today she speaks to students, teachers and leaders across the UK.
- Master's in Public Policy, Oxford
- WEF Young Global Leader
- BBC 100 Women
- Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia
- Library of Congress Literacy Award
- Former Senior Advisor, Malala Fund
- Earth Company Impact Hero 2025
How it works
Booking is simple
Email Freshta
Send a short email with your year groups, numbers and preferred term.
Get a reply from Freshta
She reads every email herself and replies with a short questionnaire, usually within five working days.
Plan it together
A short call to shape the session around your students and your aims.
Get in touch
Invite Freshta to your school
Tell Freshta about your school and she will get back to you.
Email Freshta directly
freshtakarim123@gmail.com
Email address copied.
Helpful to include in your email:
- Your school and your role
- Year group(s) and number of students
- Which talk or format interests you (or "not sure yet"), and whether you'd like to add a Leadership Q&A
- Your preferred date or term
- Any theme or event, such as World Book Day