The news out of Afghanistan has been devastating - so many tragic stories, and such a feeling of impotency to do anything to help as an individual. Here is a chance to help a young Afghan family that has just been rescued by the US government and military, and will shortly arrive in California in need of our support. Through my volunteer work with the International Rescue Committee, I first met Ali, a recently resettled refugee, in 2015, and he was adopted as a part of my family. Ali, a new US citizen, Masouma and her son Amir, both Afghan nationals, have gone through a harrowing journey to get evacuated from Afghanistan this past month, aided by my friends and colleagues and multiple congressional offices. And now it's time to set them up to settle and thrive.

 

Ali, a childhood Polio survivor without the use of his legs, escaped Afghanistan 10 years ago when he was just 20. Being an ethnic Hazara (persecuted by the Taliban) and disabled, his family knew he had no future there. After years as a refugee in Turkey, Ali was finally resettled to Oakland, California, and began his new life here, going to school and working. In June of this year, he realized his dream of becoming an American citizen. Once he got his passport, he flew to see his family in Herat, Afghanistan, whom he hadn't seen in a decade, including his niece Masouma.

 

Masouma, a single mom (widowed at a young age) had just recently completed her university degree and was the principal of a girls school in Herat. Her 6 year old son Amir is a sweet and curious boy. 

 

And then, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, making all of them targets - a US citizen, an educated woman who ran a girls school, all of them Hazaras. There was no easy way out for the family. After surviving the dangerous multi day journey to Kabul, and two failed attempts at accessing the Kabul airport, they were airlifted by US special forces and put on a plane out of the country.

 

Finally, as of Sept 1, they are back in the US! They will be at a military base for at least 2 weeks, while her immigration paperwork is filed. But then they will come to Oakland, and they will have no support network set up for them. Ali has a job making just over minimum wage, and Masouma and Amir are coming with literally the clothes on their backs.

 

Here are the items that money will be used toward:

 

• Temporary housing when they arrive in Oakland (Ali currently lives with 3 single male roommates, culturally and logistically not a viable option)
• Long term housing subsidy - the bay area is crazy expensive, and we need to find them a 1 bedroom, wheelchair accessible apartment
• Any reimbursements that need to be made to the US government for repatriation flights and services
• Any visa processing fees for Masouma and Amir
• ESL classes for Masouma
• Clothing for Masouma and Amir
• Household goods for the family once they settle in a home

 

If you can't give money (though we really need money), I'm looking for in-kind donations of clothing and household goods, if you are in the Bay Area. Please message me for details.

 

And finally, I would love to organize a "sponsor team" to help the family for the next year. I physically and mentally cannot coordinate everything that they will need, AND keep my day job. So if you are in the Bay Area and willing to take on a small portion of coordination, as well as become an anchor for this beautiful deserving young family, please reach out.