Fatima from Kabul, Afghanistan
Donation protected
My name is Michael J Jacobs. I am a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy Reserves and a Department of Defense contractor who served multiple tours in Afghanistan. Most recently, I was involved with OPERATION ALLIES REFUGE in the Kingdom of Bahrain, providing assistance to many brave Afghans who supported the U.S. war effort in their country. During the four and a half years I spent in Afghanistan, I worked with many brave Afghans. One of these courageous souls is Fatima Rahimi.
I first met Fatima in 2017 while stationed on Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul. She had already supported the U.S. war effort in various capacities for three years when we met. A personable and kind soul, Fatima and I immediately became friends. We often talked about the ongoing conflict in her country and of her challenging life as a woman in Afghanistan. She always seemed to maintain a positive outlook despite knowing there were few opportunities because she was a woman. I was most impressed by Fatima’s courage. More than once, Fatima stated her greatest fear was the Taliban and the Islamic State. it was no secret what those groups would do to an Afghan civilian who supported the U.S. war effort. Undaunted, Fatima bravely traveled to our base every day, in full view of the local population. Most recently, Fatima worked as an interpreter with a U.S. contractor on HKIA in early 2021. In total, she helped us for seven years. I last saw Fatima in late 2018 but we kept in touch via social media.
I first met Fatima in 2017 while stationed on Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul. She had already supported the U.S. war effort in various capacities for three years when we met. A personable and kind soul, Fatima and I immediately became friends. We often talked about the ongoing conflict in her country and of her challenging life as a woman in Afghanistan. She always seemed to maintain a positive outlook despite knowing there were few opportunities because she was a woman. I was most impressed by Fatima’s courage. More than once, Fatima stated her greatest fear was the Taliban and the Islamic State. it was no secret what those groups would do to an Afghan civilian who supported the U.S. war effort. Undaunted, Fatima bravely traveled to our base every day, in full view of the local population. Most recently, Fatima worked as an interpreter with a U.S. contractor on HKIA in early 2021. In total, she helped us for seven years. I last saw Fatima in late 2018 but we kept in touch via social media.
When the Taliban began their lightning march through Afghanistan in July and August of this year, Fatima’s worst fears were realized. The conversations we had during this time clearly showed she feared for her life. Fatima knew there was a strong possibility she would be targeted by the Taliban for helping us. With the help of friends, we were able to facilitate her desperate evacuation from Kabul during the chaotic mess of mid-August. She left with nothing but the clothes on her back. Fatima is now in the United States. She is safe but alone, a stranger in a strange land and may never see her family again. She has a long road ahead of her and I wanted to start this gofundme to help her start her new life.
All contributions will go to Fatima. Any help you can provide will be appreciated. Thank you.
Organizer
MJ Jacobs
Organizer
Fort Lauderdale, FL