Window to the Soul

“Window to the Soul” is a research and development project funded by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants. It combines arts, tech and social justice themes using virtual reality (VR) headsets and augmented reality (AR) to amplify the voices of women and girls from Afghanistan.

The project seeks to foster greater public empathy by raising awareness of the challenges faced by women and girls in and from Afghanistan, with a particular focus on their right to education. By shedding light on these issues, the project aims to build connections between women and girls and opportunities for remote education, learning, and international scholarships under the banner of the #LetUsLearn initiative.

Visit the Window to the Soul website

Visit the Virtual Gallery

Project Timeline

2022- Hannah works with local asylum seekers on 'Survival Stories Project' funded by Volunteering Matters.

2022- Kamal and Hazrat (x 2 Afghan males volunteer with Hannah's theatre company). They educate Hannah about Afghan culture and build freindships.

2023- British Council Award Hannah a micro award to develop international relationships. Hannah worked with one of the volunteers and a Brazilian Playwright to research potential ideas.

2023- Hannah and Ramin spoke at various events including Spoken Word events in Woodbridge and Ipswich regarding the project and raising awareness.

2023- Radio Suffolk Interview

2023- Arrivals Exhibition contributor, group facilitator and curator at The Hold: Suffolk Archives.

2023- Afghan Girls Project - Window To The Soul officially began with small Firstsite Bursary and after Hannah made connections with Rona and Ramin at The Hive (Community Hub in Ipswich).

2023- Hannah painted the first portrait 'Noor' which means light based on a photo of a contact in Afghanistan.

They paid the female relatives of local refugees in Afghanistan to collect present day accounts of life under Taliban rule from a female perspective.

2023- Rona and Ramin helped translate the stories into English that we collected and we made x2 books with them in Dari and English.

We also collected photographs of just the girls eyes to use for art work. Rona created some embroidery of different provinces and wrote a poem in Dari.

2023- First application to ACE, research and networking with key tech stakeholders to establish partnerships.

New purpose: To tell these stories using immersive digital technology to encourage a wider audience to campaign for social action

2023- Rona worked with Suffolk Refugee Support and The Wolsey Theatre to establish a sewing group.

They also showcased Afghan dresses at The Museum and are planning a fashion show. She also continued to engage with Future Female Society, contrinuting to the Radio show for migrant women in Ipswich.

2024- New contacts in Afghanistan made through local refugees in different provinces. Lots of engagement around art.

2024- Hannah created a new portrait of a Hazara girl to use in performance art in London.

2024- International Womens Day:

Hannah and Rona Showcase their film detailing the progress made so far on Afghan Girls 'Window to The Soul Project' at Suffolk Archive in the auditorium. Artwork also displayed.