My friend Shaz and his family are in dire need of help. Shaz, his wife, and their children are fighting to survive after being forced to flee Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.

 

I met Shaz when he was visiting for a short time. Shaz went back to Kabul, committed to helping his country rebuild. Before the recent takeover by the Taliban, Shaz was working with the Afghan government. Now, he and his loved ones are in a very vulnerable position.

 

Fearing for their safety, Shaz and his family fled and escaped to Tajikistan. He has already found a job opportunity abroad, but he must get there first. His current challenge is getting a visa to enter the country. His initial attempt was rejected. Now, he is left with only one option: apply for refugee status for himself and his family in a system currently overwhelmed by a flood of migrants from Afghanistan.

 

Shaz and his family do not deserve this, no human beings do. I often think of the time when Shaz and his family were visiting the States, and my wife and I invited them to dinner. His wife and kids had just moved  to be with their father. I told my kids that neither Shaz’s wife nor their kids spoke any English, so they would have to find a way to communicate. But if you have kids, you know that language is no barrier to play. Within minutes, our house was full of laughter.

 

Shaz’s wife, on the other hand, was quiet most of the evening so I wasn’t sure how she felt. At the end of the night, I told Shaz that I hoped his wife had enjoyed the visit. He told us that she was so surprised—she had never expected such warmth and generosity. But most of all, she was amazed by how we interacted with each other. It was not what she had expected.

Shaz and his children have no future in Afghanistan. Although they are safe for the time being, their options are limited -- and they would be in danger if they were forced to return to Afghanistan. He has already been detained and extorted during his escape. Unless he can get refugee protection for himself and his family, they will be deported. And without financial support, while living in a country without legal status, his family of six will struggle to get through the winter.

I hope that through this fundraiser, we can all show Shaz and his family the warmth and generosity they need, and that Americans have not forgotten them or our promise.