Help provide a strong start for this Afghan family

Hello family, friends and community. Our daughter, Annie, has successfully applied for Humanitarian Parole for an Afghan family of six: A friend who was like a big brother to her when she studied in India, his wife and four children. Due to the father's work in collaboration with the U.S. government, they had to flee the country for their safety after the fall of the Afghan government in 2021. Their application received final approval this week and the family anticipates relocating to the U.S. in mid-March 2024.

This fundraising effort is to provide initial funding to cover relocation (travel documents and flights) and 6 months of living expenses (apartment rental, utilities, etc.) as the family gets established in the U.S. while looking for work. Because the government funding for Afghan Humanitarian Parole was terminated with the FY23 federal budget, their support must come entirely from private donations. As of now, the family will be responsible for all the expenses of housing, utilities, transportation, education, medical care and daily living.

S. is trained as a civil engineer, and his wife, F. is a trained nurse but it will take time for them to get the family settled, acquire work permits, and gain needed certifications to find work in their fields. This is where the generosity of others will come in. Annie has been working hard to keep them encouraged through the laborious Humanitarian Parole application process. Most recently, she has secured housing and is using the Welcome Circle model to assemble a team to welcome them and walk with them through the initial adjustment and mountain of logistics and requirements that come with resettlement

We are inviting you to partner with us in supporting S/F and family by contributing to our initial financial goal of $36,000. As the family earns income and are able to cover more of their expenses, any remaining funds would be made available for job related costs such as clothing, transportation, educational costs and any uncovered medical bills for up to one year. We have created a budget and will set up an account for them as soon as they are in the states to transfer funds to meet the monthly budget. They will provide statements of all payments to assure the monies are faithfully used for their intended purpose.

We are constantly confronted with the overwhelming needs of our fellow human beings from all corners of the world and it's difficult to know how we can make a difference. We feel blessed by this opportunity to come alongside and support this family and have already been inspired by their tenacity and courage. This gofundme is a way to make a personal (via our updates) and life changing connection with a family who is humbled and profusely grateful for the encouragement they have received and the prayers and generosity of our circle who already know their story. We hope you'll partner with us and this family in this endeavor.

Warm regards,

Annie, Betsy and Trevor

Meet this charming family who is so eager to make a fresh start, further their education and get their lives back on track:

“Allow me (S, father) to introduce you to our beloved family members, each bringing their own unique light and warmth to our lives (names omitted for the protection of the family):

Our youngest, K, is not only kind and clever but also offers words of encouragement to the entire family ❤️, assuring us that everything will be good once we are in the USA. She aspires to become a doctor to help others, loves painting, and has a deep affection for dogs and birds.

S, is a top student who enjoys thinking games and puzzles. Aspiring to be an engineer or scientist, he excels in various aspects of life. Friendly and calm, S is a chess enthusiast, a football lover, and a fan of Messi. He has a keen interest in magic, playing cards, and PlayStation games. He loves running and has excelled as a runner in competitions. S also enjoys watching action, hero, and comic movies and is eager to learn new languages. He loves to read science books.

M, is calm, an animal and football lover, and a fan of Messi. He loves painting, frequents gyms and aspires to become a football player. He excels in robotics and enjoys PlayStation games. He loves to read articles about robotics.

F, is passionate about education and sports, excelling in karate, kickboxing, and football. Despite the challenges under the Taliban's rule, she persevered and secured a full scholarship at an international university. F loves painting and music, she is social and friendly, and aspires to become a doctor to help humanity. She loves novels.

My wife, F, was a nurse in a private clinic. She completed a beauty parlor course in Afghanistan and enjoys cooking, driving, swimming, and socializing. With a desire for a peaceful life, she aims to work as a nurse in the USA. She loves novels and is a fan of exploring nature.

As for myself (S), I graduated from India with a full scholarship in civil engineering in 2010. Dedicated to my job, I aspire to be a perfect engineer. I love all human beings and easily connect with people from diverse cultures. Despite the challenges faced running and hiding from various threats, I am optimistic about a brighter future in the USA. I love construction field articles and books. I am also a fan of football and nature, enjoy exploring it, and love traveling and making friends easily.”