Mahboba began the project to help Afghan orphans in 1998 with a small donation in the lounge room of her rented home in Sydney's North Ryde. After the tragic death of her own son, Mahboba slowly pieced her life together by helping other Afghan women, pioneering English classes and even a learn to swim program. A letter from a young Afghan doctor begging for help to save refugee orphans dying on the streets of Kabul encouraged Mahboba and her friends to raise $120.00 that day.