By: Vickie Denning, Communications Director
The images and headlines during the past weeks have tugged at our hearts. Over 120,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan and are now refugees.
You may have wondered, if it were you, what would you take with you in one backpack or bag? What do you leave behind? You might wonder, where will you be taken? Will you be able to work? To learn the new language? To learn the new culture? To figure out how things are done? Will you be safe? Who will help you?
The Omid family has faced all these challenges. And for them, the answer to the “who will help you,” is our TVLC Refugee Ministry team as a co-sponsor with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW).
Omid and his wife, Nabila, along with their daughters, Neda and Marhamat, and Omid’s mother, Zubadia fled Afghanistan in 2018. They left behind extended family members and fled to a refugee camp in Turkey.
After 2 years in the camp, the Omids passed numerous background checks, screenings, and interviews. They were approved for admission to the United States and Lutheran Social Services was established as their domestic resettlement agency. And this is where our refugee ministry team stepped in.
Our team set up an apartment that was secured through LSS-SW. They filled the refrigerator with food and stocked the pantry.
They greeted the family at the airport. They were the smiling faces waiting at the bottom of the escalator to greet a weary family.
Our team helped the family get tested for COVID and vaccinated. They helped them open a bank account. They interpreted paperwork and answered questions. They provided tutoring and English language lessons. They helped Omid and Nabila seek work and find jobs.
In Afghanistan, Omid worked in the catering department for Interpol and later as a contractor for the United State military in Afghanistan, escorting Afghani workers onto and off of military bases. In the Turkish refugee camp, he worked as a stone mason and prep chef.
Omid now uses his skills at Tucson Medical Center. He works as a Prep Chef in the kitchen on a 3-month contract through an employment agency. Because he has excelled in his work, he has been offered a permanent position with TMC.
Barbara Warrilow describes Omid as a “simple man who loves his family fiercely.” She describes the conversations they have had comparing their faith beliefs and finding that the message of “love, kindness, and tolerance loom large for both of them.”
Because of language barriers, conversation can be challenging. We know that Nabila works in the garment/tailoring industry and that Zubadia stays home and helps with childcare and cooking.
Neda (9) and Marhamat (8) attend Myers-Ganoung Elementary School. The girls were given English tutoring over the summer from the team to help them get a head start in school. And, also courtesy of the refugee team, the girls have now swam in a pool for the first time in their lives!
There are many more refugees from Afghanistan as well as other countries who will be vetted and screened and will need a place to start over. Contact our refugee team if you would like to be a part of helping to provide food, housing assistance, clothing and other basic needs and support.
Who would help you? Email refugeeministry@tvlc.org to be a part of the answer.
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