Our new Refuge for Refugees family arrived at RDU airport from Afghanistan on February 21. Hafiz, Noorva, and their four children are all settling into their new home just outside of Cary.
Hafiz served as a translator for the US Army in Afghanistan. Translators and other Afghanis who provide assistance to our military have historically not fared well in Afghanistan, and there is a special program to hasten such individuals’ relocation to the US. The family lived in a rural part of Afghanistan. Hafiz speaks English well. The rest of the family speak no English.
This family, like all of our families, will face challenges over the next days, weeks and months assimilating to America. Thankfully due to your generous donations, we had enough furniture and bedding to almost completely furnish an apartment for the family shortly after their arrival.
Your donations will help this family meet their ongoing needs for food, shelter, utilities, etc. over the next months as Hafiz looks to obtain employment, the children become enrolled in school, and the family gets used to their new home.
When we welcomed this family upon their arrival, one of our members joked to Hafiz: “Welcome to America. We are not all bad.” Hafiz replied that America is a great country. We are both proud and humbled to be able to offer what little assistance we are able to this brave family.
If you would like to become more actively involved with them — taking them to medical appointments or helping with shopping or other needs, be sure to let me (Mike Harrell) or MM know. Contact Mike Harrell <harrell@manningfulton.com> or MM Cupitt <mmcc.ltc@gmail.com>.