As part of her twice-annual trip back to the United States from her home in Afghanistan, Razia Jan will return to Duxbury to fundraise for her foundation ‘Razia’s Ray of Hope.’

On the last day at her Zabuli school for girls in Deh Subz, Afghanistan, the day before the Muslim New Year, Razia spoke with us, by phone,  about her foundation and its upcoming fashion show, “Wearing Hope,” which will take place on March 29 at the Duxbury Art Complex. “Afghanistan has been at war for 40 years,” said Jan. “After 9/11 happened, I wanted to come back and do something good for my country.”

And that she did. Jan returned to Afghanistan to open a school for girls in a rural community outside Kabul. Jan spent more than 30 years in our quiet seaside town, owning and operating her tailoring business in Hall’s Corner. A world of difference from the current state of affairs in Kabul from where she hails, Duxbury embraced Razia and continues to support her foundation, ‘Razia’s Ray of Hope.’

“Education for girls is so important,” said Jan. “This is the first and only school in this area, even after the five years we have been open.”

Three hundred-eighty Afghan girls, ranging in age from kindergarten to eighth grade, learn from 14 teachers, many of whom Jan pays to bus in from Kabul.

“We work so hard to keep the school running,” said Jan.

Jan and her team pay 100 percent of all the costs incurred for girls to attend, including everything from books to stationery to uniforms. Said Jan, “It is all donations mostly from the people in the US, and much of it from Duxbury, which has been so supportive.”

One can hear in her voice both the gratitude and passion with which she speaks about her school and these young Afghan girls.

“I try to find ways to get some funding,” says Jan of her efforts here in the US. Thus was born “Wearing Hope” at the Art Complex, which will showcase Razia’s handmade fashions. “I like to create something new and interesting and enable people to have something they can use, of which all the money spent will go to a good cause. I designed and made all the creations myself, they are unique.”

Jan repeatedly said she wants to do something good for her country amidst all the bad taking place. She could elaborate at length about the tumult in her corner of the world but chooses not to, choosing instead to focus on the positive and her own efforts to be a vehicle of change.  With fond memories of her childhood in Afghanistan, Razia has high hopes that her students will grow to be strong, young women wearing hope in their own lives each and every day.

“Wearing Hope” will take place on March 29 at the Duxbury Art Complex from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Visit raziasrayofhope.org for more details.