- S
TLDR:
- We are the Bed Stuy Sponsor Circle, sponsoring two incredible young Afghan Women who fled Kabul in 2021
- They are brilliant, kind, funny and hardworking.
- Your support will help Masha and Mina pay for their heating and electricity, MTA rides to work and English classes, phone bills, and rent. This is the second fundraiser we've done - the first was to bring them to NYC and support their initial integration.
- We're so grateful for any amount you have contributed in the past and anything you can share now.
Dear Friends and Family,
Masha and Mina** are cousins in their early 20s. In Kabul, they were journalists who had their own news and culture broadcast. Nearly 17 months ago, their lives were permanently changed when they were forced to flee from everything they’ve ever known, leave their home and their families, and start the long journey to come to the US.
When we picked them up at JFK on September 6 2022, I was struck by how young they are. I thought about myself at 20 and how scared I would be in a new country, unable to communicate. I thought about how much I’d miss my family.
Despite the fear of the unknown, the horrifying reality that their families remain in unsafe conditions in Afghanistan, and the mountain of hardships that come along with resettling in a country where you have no family, do not speak the language, and have to start over from scratch - Masha and Mina have met every single challenge with strength and courage.
They've excelled in an intensive English course, working for 5 hours a day / 5 days a week with a teacher, They've learned to navigate New York's complicated train and bus system on their own, They've moved into their very own apartment and last month they started work in a retail store in Manhattan on nights and weekends so they can continue their English courses.
Masha and Mina are vibrant, kind, smart, gracious and eager to learn and try new things. They are determined, optimistic, funny and capable.
Of course, there is a long road ahead and many challenging moments to come. The financial realities ahead of two young women who arrived with next to nothing and with no family to speak of in the US, is daunting to say the least.
Our sponsor Circle is in it with them for the long haul and we want to invite you to continue to be a part of this journey with us. Many people who are reading this have contributed during our initial fundraiser and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the progress we've made so far possible.
We also want to take a moment to recognize that Masha and Mina are among the lucky ones who were able to flee. Right now, many thousands of tallented, brilliant, vibrant women live under the unthinkably oppressive and violent rule of the Taliban. The work we do together with Masha and Mina will forever be in solidarity with those women.
With gratitude,
The Bed Stuy Sponsor Circle
** Masha and Mina's names have been changed for their safety