Please Help My Friends Escape From The Taliban

Dear Friends and Family,

 

This is Rick Brand. I am asking for your help in helping a close friend of mine (I am withholding her name for her and her family's safety). She is an amazing young mother and teacher in Afghanistan, and her life and the lives of her wonderful family are in grave danger. They are members of the Hazara ethnic group which has been systematically persecuted by the Taliban and other terrorist groups for many years. Last year, my friend's school was blown up by terrorists in a devastating coordinated attack. When the school reopened, despite the dangers, my friend resumed teaching at the school. After the recent Taliban takeover, my brave friend and others in her family raised their voices and spoke up for the millions of women now suffering under the Taliban's repressive, brutal, and barbaric regime. They helped organize a number of protests for women's rights. Because of this, they are facing retaliation from the Taliban and have had to go into hiding. Many of their friends and fellow protesters have already been arrested. Some have been tortured. Others are missing.

 

My friends are not safe anywhere in Afghanistan. Advanced humanitarian parole documents were submitted on their behalf last year with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. My family and I are hoping for our friends' safe and secure transition to the United States. My friend and her family love America, and they are very grateful for the opportunities they were given for the past 20 years by the service and sacrifices of our brave American soldiers. My friend's husband also worked for an American NGO.

 

Friends, please, if you can help me help my friends find refuge, I would be forever grateful. The money raised will go to help with the costs of safely traveling to a third country as well as for expenses while in that country. I have informed the USCIS of the urgent need for expedited humanitarian parole, and I hope and pray that it will be granted. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to send me a message.

 

Thank you!

Rick

UPDATE!!! (July 7, 2022)

Dear Friends, I am very happy to provide this update. My brave friend and her family were able to get out from Afghanistan. The money raised so far had a direct impact on helping them get out. It also helped two other family members escape. They had also bravely protested against the Taliban for their basic human rights. My friend and her immediate family are now out of harm's way. However, the two others, though out of Afghanistan, remain in a vulnerable position as refugees in a country bordering Afghanistan. If you're able to help out, I would be forever grateful. Every single dollar donated will go directly to supporting these two young women who bravely protested for their rights and for the rights of all women and girls in Afghanistan. If you would like more information about their situation (or how to help other Afghan women and girls), please send me a message. Thank you!