The Story of Scouting in Afghanistan and the United States — and One Scout’s Historic Journey

Scouting has always represented community, leadership, and the spirit of doing one’s best.

In Afghanistan, Scouting did not involve earning ranks or badges and more on service and teamwork. Scouts there weren’t climbing ranks; they were learning practical skills, helping in their communities, and embodying the Scout promise in everyday life.

By contrast, in the United States, Scouting is more structured, with seven distinct ranks leading up to the prestigious Eagle Scout. Scouts in the U.S. work toward merit badges, complete service hours, and often participate in camping trips and leadership projects. The program is designed to build not just character but also measurable progress and achievement.

These two versions of Scouting—one built on community service, the other on structured advancement—share the same heart but take different paths. And for one young woman, those paths have converged into something historic.

A Historic Eagle Scout Project for a Historic Eagle Scout

Fifi has been a Scout for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Afghanistan, Scouting gave her a sense of belonging and purpose. “It was always a part of my life,” she says. “Even when I started going back to school in the U.S., I felt like something was missing—and I didn’t find it again until I rejoined Scouts.”

When Fifi joined Troop 39 in the United States, she quickly realized how different things were. There were ranks to earn, merit badges to complete, and a long list of requirements to reach the top honor of Eagle Scout. “In Afghanistan, there were no ranks,” she explains. “So when I started here, I had to start from the very beginning. It stressed me out because I wanted to become an Eagle Scout before I turned 18—this coming January.”

That goal—daunting for anyone—takes most Scouts three to four years. Fifi will complete it in two.

If she succeeds, she will become the first Afghan Scout, male or female, in history to earn the Eagle Scout rank.

But for Fifi, the journey isn’t only about the badge. It’s about the community she’s found and the legacy she’s building. “The community that I find in Scouts is something I can’t imagine living without,” she says. “Even after I turn 18, I know I’ll find fulfillment in guiding younger Scouts.”

In both Afghanistan and the United States, Scouting has always been about more than uniforms or badges—it’s about character, service, and belonging. Fifi’s story bridges two worlds, proving that while Scouting may look different across borders, its spirit remains the same.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of donors like you.

Your support gave me the chance to step back into a classroom, step into a lab, and step into my future.

If you want to help more students like me reclaim their education and chase their dreams, please consider donating today. 

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