Meet FIRST Global Team Afghanistan, the group of girls whose story was the inspiration behind the documentary “Afghan Dreamers” and the movie “Rule Breakers.” Ever since their debut at the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge in Washington, D.C., their story has been a testament to the power of determination and STEM education in shaping a brighter future. Although the students on the team have changed over the years, they’ve maintained the same mission to dream big and solve problems in their communities.
THE ALL-GIRLS AFGHAN DREAMERS ROBOTICS TEAM THAT INSPIRED THE WORLD
Meet FIRST Global Team Afghanistan, the group of girls whose story was the inspiration behind the documentary “Afghan Dreamers” and the movie “Rule Breakers.” Ever since their debut at the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge in Washington, D.C., their story has been a testament to the power of determination and STEM education in shaping a brighter future. Although the students on the team have changed over the years, they’ve maintained the same mission to dream big and solve problems in their communities.
In January of 2017, Roya Mahboob of the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF), a nonprofit based in Herat, Afghanistan, signed on to provide a team for the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge. Many girls applied to participate, and through a selection process, six girls were chosen representing three different high schools.
“We aim to transform the culture of our community through the STEAM program and become some of the young leaders of science and technology,” they said in their team biography. “Most breakthroughs normally start with the dream of a child to do something great. We want to be that child and pursue our dreams to make a difference in people’s lives.”
The team’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Their robot kit was held up in customs for two months. And with no prior robotics experience, they were at a disadvantage against other teams.
They twice journeyed 500 miles (800 km) to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to obtain visas to the U.S., and both times were denied. But the Afghan Dreamers didn’t give up on their dream. “Where there is a will, there is a way,” said Fatemah, the team’s captain.
They took to the media, and soon the world rallied behind the all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan. Eventually, the United States’ Administration stepped in. On July 12, 2017, just three days before the competition, the team was granted entry to the U.S.
The team made it to the competition in time and ranked 114th out of 163 — not bad for first-timers. Their bravery and determination won them the silver medal for the Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli Award for Courageous Achievement.
All of this was just the beginning of their story. The team went on to compete in Estonia, Poland, and Canada, where they won more awards. They met with presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders. They spoke out, in the news and at events worldwide.
“Children who live in conflict zones… they are told that their dreams will only remain dreams,” said Fatemah at a talk in Oslo. “Now that we have gotten our first taste of education, we are determined to get as much as we can to build a better future for our country.”
TEAM FOUNDED
In January of 2017, Roya Mahboob of the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF), a nonprofit based in Herat, Afghanistan, signed on to provide a team for the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge. Many girls applied to participate, and through a selection process, six girls were chosen representing three different high schools.
“We aim to transform the culture of our community through the STEAM program and become some of the young leaders of science and technology,” they said in their team biography. “Most breakthroughs normally start with the dream of a child to do something great. We want to be that child and pursue our dreams to make a difference in people’s lives.”
CHALLENGES
The team’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Their robot kit was held up in customs for two months. And with no prior robotics experience, they were at a disadvantage against other teams.
They twice journeyed 500 miles (800 km) to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to obtain visas to the U.S., and both times were denied. But the Afghan Dreamers didn’t give up on their dream. “Where there is a will, there is a way,” said Fatemah, the team’s captain.
They took to the media, and soon the world rallied behind the all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan. Eventually, the United States’ Administration stepped in. On July 12, 2017, just three days before the competition, the team was granted entry to the U.S.
SILVER MEDAL
The team made it to the competition in time and ranked 114th out of 163 — not bad for first-timers. Their bravery and determination won them the silver medal for the Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli Award for Courageous Achievement.
All of this was just the beginning of their story. The team went on to compete in Estonia, Poland, and Canada, where they won more awards. They met with presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders. They spoke out, in the news and at events worldwide.
“Children who live in conflict zones… they are told that their dreams will only remain dreams,” said Fatemah at a talk in Oslo. “Now that we have gotten our first taste of education, we are determined to get as much as we can to build a better future for our country.”
FIRST GLOBAL TEAM AFGHANISTAN THROUGH THE YEARS
THEIR STORY ON THE BIG SCREEN
“Rule Breakers” Movie from Angel Studios
In theaters March 7, 2025, this movie is a fictionalized retelling of FIRST Global Team Afghanistan’s inspiring story. Several clips used in the movie to show the robotics competition in Washington, D.C. are real clips from the actual 2017 FIRST Global Challenge livestream!
“Afghan Dreamers” Documentary on Paramount+
Released in 2023, this documentary by MTV follows real members of the all-girls FIRST Global robotics team in their fight for a brighter future.