Update on Resettled Afghan Staff

Six months ago, in August 2021, Free to Run faced its toughest race yet. You, our global community, rose to support us. Your generosity and kind messages encouraged us through some of the longest nights and darkest hours any of our staff can recall. We are so thankful and would like to share updates on where a few of our evacuated Afghan staff are today, despite losing their homeland and possessions, as a result of that support. 

Fatima, participating in the Tirana Marathon 10k race in Albania.

Fatima, Program Officer

I was evacuated on August 24, 2021. Initially, I was taken to Abu Dhabi and after three days I was transferred to Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Then, I was shifted to the Coastal city of Shengjin. It took almost 70 days until my application was processed and I was resettled to Thunder Bay, a relatively small city in northern Ontario in Canada.

So far, it has been good that I am in a safe place out of harm's reach. The challenges are so many, like new norms, laws, and a totally new way of life. I have been used to the Afghan way of life and adopting a new one has its own challenges. Thunder Bay's weather is harsh, usually it drops to -20C, and that is a challenge by itself.

It has been a little more than two months since I arrived in Canada, and I am still processing my documents to obtain a work permit. Once I get the work permit I will try to get a job closer to my profession which is admin and finance.

I was exercising in Albania, and even participated in the Tirana Marathon for the 10k. But my arrival in Canada coincided with the arrival of winter, so I am not exercising at the moment. I will run when the weather becomes a little warmer, though!

Bilal, at practice with the Spurs in Texas.

Bilal, Finance Officer

Since leaving Afghanistan, we were first sent to Qatar and stayed there in a US military base for more than seven days. Then we flew to Germany and stayed there for three days, and then came to the United States. We went first to a New Mexico military base where we stayed for more than a month.  On 12 October I came to San Antonio, Texas and stayed for one and a half months at my brother's home until we got our own apartment. I am now living with my wife in our new apartment in San Antonio, TX. 

I faced lots of challenges in the trip from Afghanistan to the US because of my disability. It was very hard and was the worst time of my life. The living space, getting food, waiting in line for the processing of our documents inside the base and the lack of accessibility for persons with disabilities was very tough. My wife was also pregnant, making it even more difficult. But, the good thing was that the behavior of US citizens here is very kind. When I saw their behavior and the way they were talking to Afghans to share their smiles with us, it made me think that we are still in our home. I know it's very hard, even impossible, for all of us to forget or not think about Afghanistan, but still when I saw kind people here it gave me positive energy. So, I can continue my dreams and work here in the US. 

I started volunteering with the Center for Refugee Services as an interpreter and office administrator and am working once a week with a refugee clinic as an interpreter. After two months, I got a job with the Refugee Services of Texas as a Case Manager (working with new Afghan Refugees) in San Antonio TX. 

I am also playing wheelchair basketball in San Antonio here with the Spurs and they registered me with NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association). I participated in two tournaments in Texas and after one week there is another tournament in Kansas City. I want to continue my sports here in the US and want to play wheelchair basketball in the big leagues.

Najma, at a park in Canada.

Najma, Program Officer

After many hard days, we were able to leave Afghanistan. We entered Islamabad and then left for Ukraine after two difficult days. There, we continued the legal process of obtaining a Canadian visa. Now, we are starting our new lives here in Canada. Canada is a beautiful country. Although I do not feel well mentally because leaving Afghanistan was a big shock for me and it is not easy to accept, it is nice to see that they respect women here and I am allowed to exercise. I am looking for a job like my job in Afghanistan. I want to support women and to be a coach and trainer. I have kept up running for a few hours a day.  

Hasina, at her job at Blue Mountain Resort in Canada.

Hasina, former Program Manager

When we received the notice to leave Afghanistan for Canada, we tried to get to the airport gate. We lost our way and couldn’t fight through the crowds. Some of the staff got separated from the group, but eventually we all had to give up and turn back. We didn’t sleep that night. We tried again the next day through a different way. We were on a list to get onto a bus. Each seat on the bus had four people in it. We were just 10 minutes away from the airport, but we stood on that bus for six hours. When we finally got inside the airport, we still had to wait. But when the explosion happened at the gate we tried to enter through the night before, the plane decided to take everyone and leave. It was a military plane, and lots of people got sick. We went first to Islamabad where we stayed inside the terminal for two nights. Then, we flew to Kyiv. We stayed at a camp in Ukraine for two weeks, and then in Kyiv for 10 days before traveling to Canada. When we arrived in Canada, we received a very warm welcome. I am the first of our group to receive permanent residency in Canada, then Najma is second. I am looking at universities and hope to get my Project Management certificate. I am working now at Blue Mountain Resort as an Admin Coordinator for the snow school. I’m also taking snowboarding lessons. When the weather gets better, I will continue running. I plan to run three marathons this year!

Rahmat (second from right), and friends in the U.S.

Rahmat, Operations Manager

I have been resettled in St. Louis, Missouri for one month now and have already started remote work with one of the companies by the name of V-Fluence Interactive as a researcher. I have been actively looking to adapt to the culture here and searching for some learning and work opportunities for myself and my other family members. I have also successfully passed the driving license exam and am looking forward to having my driving license.  

I have been enjoying all the new challenges in the US, because we are starting our new life from the beginning and it will require some time to adjust. But challenges will always teach you new skills, so I am happy taking on new challenges to learn more and get further stronger. 

I’m looking forward to getting a full-time job soon. I have applied for a couple of jobs and got a few interviews as well. I will also continue the social work that I was doing back in Afghanistan and already had the opportunity to keynote some conferences. 

With no car and driving license yet, I have been walking and running to different offices sometimes, to complete some regularities and I am thankful for Free to Run who taught us running and the impact can be seen in practical life. 

I also want to mention that so many of our US friends are already helping us in different parts of our lives and they are so helpful, HUGE THANKS TO THEM!

Wazira, Program Officer

When I tried to leave Afghanistan, I had to spend 1 night pushing through the crowd outside the airport and then three more inside the airport before getting on a plane. I was supposed to go to Canada but wound up in Italy first. My family and I stayed in Italy for 40 days before we could immigrate to Canada. When we arrived in Canada, it was like a dream for us. Here there is lots of opportunity. My siblings are starting school and work, my parents are taking English classes, and I will hopefully be going to university. I want to study social science or law, like I did in Afghanistan. I’ve been walking a lot here in Calgary and will start running again when the weather gets warmer. I’ve also been ice skating! Here everyone is very professional at ice skating, it’s like they dance on ice.

Hanifa, running in Canada.

Hanifa, Program Manager

I have been resettled in Canada. However, before resettlement here, I had a journey with many challenges, including getting inside the airport and staying in other countries for some time. Thanks to the efforts of Free to Run, I was able to make it here.

Peace, freedom and equal treatment. These are what every human being deserves, but we as human beings and as women experienced them the least in Afghanistan.

Like many other people, I carried my whole life inside a backpack, and I am starting from scratch. Everything here is new, and there are so many things to learn. I believe it will take time and is challenging, but I am hopeful that I will manage it well. For now, I am not working but I have the opportunity to work voluntarily with an organization that works to support newcomers.

Now that I am resettled, I plan to join the running team. It is hard to concentrate these days because of what is going on in Afghanistan, but like always, running has a strong healing side, giving me energy, strength and inspiration for moving forward. Running has been Free to Run's gift to me, and I will always keep it.