Many of you know that I have been intimately involved in the support of the Afghan refugees coming to the Sacramento area over the past 3 years, and many of my local friends have really stepped up and helped in these efforts of donations of all kinds, mostly in home furnishings, clothing, food, and physical involvement with delivering these items. Today, I am asking for financial help for one of my special Afghan families. I have not included their names and have covered their faces in the family photo because of the ongoing threat to loved ones left behind. Here is their story and would love to continue to show them our love and support.

We are a family of nine from Afghanistan who came to the United States in October of 2023.

Prior to the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, I worked as a Research Manager, Senior Advisor, and Special Representative to the President on National Solidarity Affairs. Once the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, my life and my family’s life was in constant jeopardy because of my political background. One month after fleeing to Iran, our home in Kabul was raided by the Taliban and extensively damaged. In Afghanistan, basic human rights no longer exist, especially for women. Freedom of speech is severely restricted, and women are denied their right to education and work. Staying was not an option, and this is why we are seeking asylum in the USA. Our journey was not just about making a better life—it was about survival.

Our passage to the USA was long and dangerous. After flying to Brazil from Iran on a temporary visa, we walked much of the way through Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, where we were able to begin the asylum process prior to entering the USA and entering as “Legal Immigrants. That arduous adventure was the most difficult experience our family could have ever imagined. One of the hardest parts of our journey was crossing the Darién Gap, one of the most dangerous and challenging routes in the world. Through it all, we carried our 24-year-old disabled daughter on our backs across mountains and steep trails, determined to reach safety and a future where our family could live with dignity and freedom.

Despite my professional background, starting over in a new country has been incredibly difficult. We are doing everything we can to provide a basic life for our family, but we now face an important legal process to obtain permanent residency. In our last court asylum hearing, the judge highly recommended we obtain an attorney. After speaking with a lawyer, we learned we need $10,000 for legal assistance, and we are asking for your support to help us through this challenge. My two oldest sons are working multiple jobs while the remainder of the family is attending schools to help us integrate into our new life in the USA.

Any contribution, big or small, will bring us closer to securing our future while building a stable life for our family, becoming contributing U.S. citizens, and productive members of our new western family. We truly appreciate your kindness and generosity—thank you for being part of our journey!

With gratitude in our hearts.