Six months ago WES’ Refugee Resettlement Team (RRT) welcomed a young couple with three boys, fleeing Afghanistan to avoid persecution because of the dad’s work as an interpreter for US forces. The RRT, in partnership with Lutheran Social Services (LSS), has been assisting with their resettlement. This update is provided in response to much interest and concern for the family from the WES community. The family’s names have been omitted to protect their privacy online.

The dad worked for a kitchen cabinet distributor in a warehouse and making deliveries from September until the holidays when deliveries declined. Just before Thanksgiving, he bought a car with money from the Refugee Resettlement Team (RRT) Fund and a loan from his employer and in December completed his application process to become a Lyft driver. After doing his own brake job, and getting his car re-inspected, he now drives for Lyft, with more flexible hours and better income. The family handles most of their appointments and shopping trips on their own, although volunteers still give the mom rides when her husband can’t. The dad got medical attention for his bad knee and now wears a brace, hoping to avoid surgery. Like so many Afghan immigrants, he needs considerable dental care, which he is hoping to find at a reduced rate.

The mom seems to be adjusting well to a lifestyle so completely different from her previous life’s experience. She left a household of 35 where she cooked, cleaned and cared for children with lots of close family. Now she is home alone with her two year old son much of the day while the older boys are in school and dad is working. Fortunately many neighbors in their building are also from Afghanistan and rely on each other for support. The mom is a meticulous housekeeper and would be pleased to have a job in this capacity one day. She has been learning English at a rapid pace, thanks to RRT tutoring three days a week and classes twice a week at their apartment complex. She says she likes English and is a very dedicated student. She is learning not only to speak, but to read and write as well. She also has dental issues, but thanks to Patti Absher, Capital Dental provided some dental service free of charge, except for lab costs, which generous friends are covering. A few root canals and extractions lie ahead, but then she will be in good shape for the future.

The older boys, 8 and 10, began school at Templeton Elementary in September, along with many other recent immigrants from their apartment community. The RRT Fund provided their school uniforms, so they fit right in and from all reports are enjoying school. They were wild with excitement over their new coats and winter clothes, and appreciated the presents from the Giving Tree very much. There is an intention at WES to schedule outings to recreational activities like sporting events, hiking, the National Zoo, and regional parks with the family and WES families, so they can get to know each other and enjoy the areas offerings together.

Finances continue to be quite a challenge. For the first three months, Lutheran Social Services coordinated the delivery of government resettlement funds and benefits, which provided most of the family’s support. The RRT Fund continued assistance with partial rent for the following three months, and recently to pay electric bills that had accumulated due to a clerical error. Beginning February 1, the family will be expected to pay their own rent and utilities. The team also had a few check-in meetings with the family to educate about budgeting and borrowing, which have proven helpful, but the real test is yet to come. Even with Maryland Food Supplement Program, and Medicaid, earning sufficient income to support a family of five in this area will be tough.

WES’ six-month Good Neighbor partnership to help resettle the family is drawing to a close. This means WES should not be continuing to provide financial and logistical support to the family, but it doesn’t mean we cannot be friends. A social get-together is being planned for the family as an opportunity to say goodbye for some, and to launch the next phase of our relationship for others.