"Team Neo" - Welcome Corps Fundraiser

Team Neo - Welcome Corps Fundraiser

The goal of this fundraiser is to do right by an American interpreter who faithfully served in hundreds of combat ops against Taliban and their AQ allies.

“Neo” served with 3rd BCT and 4th BCT, 10th Mountain Division; 91st (ABN) Cavalry, 173rd Airborne BCT; 1st Armored Division; Task Force Storm, and others. He served with the US Army as a trusted interpreter, linguist and cultural advisor in the fight to bring peace and security to his country. His commanders said he was “the best” at his job, provided “exemplary” service, and was critical to the success of hundreds of missions.

Neo is the guardian and sole provider for his three younger siblings. He has been working very hard, both sending money to support them, and saving money to bring them here.

Now with the “Welcome Corps” program, Neo’s friends are coming alongside him to sponsor his younger brother and two younger sisters so they can join him in safety in America. A key part of that sponsorship is raising the minimum funding – and more – so these young people can be safe here with Neo and never be at risk of the Taliban again.

Neo worked for over a decade with US Forces, going on more than 100 mounted and 200 dismounted combat patrols with Task Force Cherokee alone (in addition to hundreds of others), standing side-by-side with his brothers in the face of incoming fire, taking the fight to the enemy. Neo was a key part of our team hunting insurgents and questioning the ones we captured. More than one of the terrorists promised revenge on Neo’s family.

Neo’s mother unfortunately passed away in a car accident in 2019. Since then, he has been the only guardian and sole provider for his three siblings (now 20-year-old brother and two teen sisters).

Neo became a U.S. Citizen in 2020 (on the Fourth of July) and was safe in the United States when AFG fell, but his younger brother and sisters were not able to leave before the Taliban took over. While Neo was working with US Forces, Taliban made multiple threats of violence. Even after the takeover, the Taliban have continued to send Neo death threats, and even visited the home where the girls were staying. They trashed the place and terrified the girls.

Americans and allies helped get the girls out of AFG and safely to a third country, where they were joined by Neo’s younger brother, but their status there is uncertain. There have been many deportations in that country, and as refugees there, they have no chance of a normal life. In America, they could live safely with Neo while getting an education and working hard so they can have a bright future. They already speak some English, but will need additional ESL classes while they complete school and find work.

The U.S. Government just rolled out the new “Welcome Corps” program, that allows Neo’s family members to receive a sponsorship to enter the USA. The program requires at least five US citizens to raise money to cover their initial expenses for at least 90 days after they arrive and get them set up. We have the minimum number of sponsors, but would welcome more members to the team. We plan to get them set up with education and work, and welcome them when they arrive.

Please consider helping us raise the needed funds to complete the requirements for the Welcome Corps program to reunify Neo’s family with him in America. Neo has our full faith and confidence as a friend. We want to help him care for his family.

Your generosity will literally help save their lives, and help them get an education and a peaceful life away from the threat of abuse and torture by the Taliban.