By: Jessica Jin

In August 2021, BH, an Afghan teenager was separated from his family in the panic at the Kabul International Airport when the city fell to the Taliban. Now, his family is left in Kabul, still in danger. BH managed to safely get to the U.S. and eventually settled down in Virginia, unfortunately without his family.

Many people of Kabul have fallen victims to the Taliban. Their life is hard now, since the Talilban had taken what was once their home. The Kabul people tried to escape in aircrafts, but were ambushed by the Taliban. BH was among the 80,000 fortunate souls who found safety in America.

Even though BH doesn’t have his family beside him, he still stays strong and continues to work hard to make a living in America. “I mean, he has sent me pictures of a brother who’s been stabbed. And when I see that, I can’t imagine how you go to school the next day. And yet he does,” said Melanie Gray (NPR), a director for Christ Church. Gray and many other members of Christ Church had helped BH and other Afghan refugees along the way. BH is going through alot, but he doesn’t let that stop him from working hard every day. Most people would give up if they were in his position, but BH is able to make a living in America, even if his family isn’t with him.

After having his home and family taken away, BH still manages to make a sustainable life in Virginia. BH has a good life in Virginia, he is able to get an education, work a job at Goodwin House’s front desk, and lives in a welcoming community. On top of all of that, he is safe. He is also able to help his family out by sending them money whenever he has a chance. BH worked so hard that his life turned out great. He can comfort his family and even help them with the money he earned from working hard.

BH shows that even if everything seems to be at lost, don’t give up and continue to work hard. When his family is in danger, he doesn’t give up hope that he might one day reunite with his family that he lost so long ago.

Sources:

An Afghan teen makes it to the U.S., but his family is left behind in Kabul _ NPR.pdf (bubble.io)

The Taliban’s Brutal Return Gets a Sharp New Examination (foreignpolicy.com)