Programs and Staff

PARSA staff at Marastoon.

PARSA’s directors and staff are tenured, experienced, and resourceful. They have assisted the Executive Director Marnie Gustavson in successful transforming PARSA into an organization that supports the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The staff is joined by international consultants and trainers as they develop into highly qualified professionals that can manage an international nonprofit organization.

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services

Yasin Farid has worked with PARSA since 1996. As National Director, he oversees 12 staff members who work with over 225 patients each month. He also oversees and teaches training programs for physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants.

Literacy and Early Childhood Development Services

Naheed Sharifi, Director of PARSA's Literacy and Early Childhood Development Services, has worked for PARSA since 1996. She taught in secret schools for women and girls during the Taliban years when the Taliban forbid the education of females. She has just completed the implementation of a literacy program that serves over 700 people in 20 villages and includes an early childhood development component as well as accelerated learning. Funded by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the donor has acknowledged this program as being one of the best programs that they fund.