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As many of my friends and colleagues know, I have been working with a local family - a brother and a sister - to help their Afghan parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews make their way safely from Kabul, Afghanistan to Monterey County. We are raising funds to pay for visas, travel, and safe lodging during their travels. I jumped into this effort headfirst while the family was desperately trying to get through the gates of the Kabul airport.
I am engaged in this effort because this family's lives are in grave danger. My friend, a woman's rights activist fled the Taliban in 2014, and now lives in Monterey County. Her brother works for the US Government. Their parents hold green cards and the siblings trying to reach safety are teachers, translators, and in the medical profession. They all supported US and NATO forces during the 20-year war and are now targets of the Taliban because of their work and alliances.
Two months into this effort, I happily report that many family members have left Afghanistan! This morning I received a note that said, “Thanks Katharine Daniels Kurz For Saving Our Lives!” The threat they all face is very real! The family has been through literal hell, the details of which I can’t disclose for their safety. With the exception of a small group that has made their way to our shores, most family members are in third countries as Special Immigrant Visas are processed.
We are now raising funds to pay for their expenses, flights, and arrival in the U.S.A. Please consider supporting this effort. We have set up a bank account at 1st Capital Bank and any funds raised above and beyond the cost of their journey will be used to help the family get settled. The youngest children are ages 1, 6 and 8-years old. Soon we will also begin coordinating donations of clothing, toys, furniture, and other items.
Thank you for all your support. I am happy to answer any questions about this effort and I will keep you posted on this GoFundMe page.
I am engaged in this effort because this family's lives are in grave danger. My friend, a woman's rights activist fled the Taliban in 2014, and now lives in Monterey County. Her brother works for the US Government. Their parents hold green cards and the siblings trying to reach safety are teachers, translators, and in the medical profession. They all supported US and NATO forces during the 20-year war and are now targets of the Taliban because of their work and alliances.
Two months into this effort, I happily report that many family members have left Afghanistan! This morning I received a note that said, “Thanks Katharine Daniels Kurz For Saving Our Lives!” The threat they all face is very real! The family has been through literal hell, the details of which I can’t disclose for their safety. With the exception of a small group that has made their way to our shores, most family members are in third countries as Special Immigrant Visas are processed.
We are now raising funds to pay for their expenses, flights, and arrival in the U.S.A. Please consider supporting this effort. We have set up a bank account at 1st Capital Bank and any funds raised above and beyond the cost of their journey will be used to help the family get settled. The youngest children are ages 1, 6 and 8-years old. Soon we will also begin coordinating donations of clothing, toys, furniture, and other items.
Thank you for all your support. I am happy to answer any questions about this effort and I will keep you posted on this GoFundMe page.
Photo credit: "SCGIS Disembarking at home" by Wolfram Burner is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0