The Mohammadi family, headed by Abdul, 40, and Fereshta, 35, has been through untold difficulties, danger and, worst of all, months of not knowing their future. Since leaving their home in Afghanistan at the end of August, they have lived on two different US military bases and more recently in an extended-stay hotel in Silver Spring since mid-January.
Unable to call their temporary quarters “home,” the children, ages 4 to 11, three boys and a girl, welcomed the chance to explore beyond their room. When we were first matched with the family at the end of January, WES member Joe Foti and his son, Julian, nearly 6, with an Afghan acquaintance to interpret, escorted the family on a tour of DC Metro system. Each child and parent, equipped with Metro Smart Trip card, made a roundtrip to nowhere in particular. They got to see how the machines work, board and depart the bus and train, see how to safeguard the $10 pre-loaded cards, and more.
Eager to learn English, daughter Sadaf overcame her shyness to reply to Julian in English. Her parents also eagerly anticipate acquiring English skills, essential for obtaining jobs. Acquiring English language skills is a priority for the family members, and a cadre of our WES volunteers will offer tutoring to the parents. If you are interested in joining this group offering English language tutoring, please contact Judith Johnson at judithheron@gmail.com. No prior experience necessary!
We also urge you to become a financial supporter of the Circle of Care by making monthly contributions to sustain the Mohammadi family. Consider your monthly budget and imagine how a tiny sliver of that budget can make a significant difference in the lives of this family.
(photo of the Mohammadi family taken at playground by Sue Smith on Feb. 12)
Join the WES Circle of Care
Some 20 WES volunteers are taking on many tasks to support the family, from job searching, to providing transportation, to finding and furnishing their new home. Finding affordable housing in welcoming communities with job opportunities and excellent public schools is an enormous challenge facing refugee families in our area. But the ongoing and greatest need is financial. Every month the rent is due, likewise the electricity, cell phone and internet AND the grocery bills for a family of six with four growing children.
That’s where we’re looking to you to provide monthly support in a Circle of Care. Think of your regular gift as simply a piece of the pie from your household budget. Plan for it and experience the satisfaction of making a difference to the Mohammadi family.
To join the Circle of Care for the Mohammadi family, visit https://ethicalsociety.org/connection/donate/, and make a monthly recurring donation to the RRT (Refugee Resettlement Team) fund.
As a Circle of Care member, you will receive regular updates via letter from WES volunteers working with the family so you will get to know
Orfan, 11 years, who is passionate about basketball,
Sadaf, 9 years, who enjoys climbing and sliding, and helps to keep an eye on her younger siblings,
Emran, age 7, who loves to swing on the swings at the playground, and the youngest brother,
Melad, almost 4, who on a recent outing, especially enjoyed the baklava. (The special treat was part of a lunch provided by a WES member who lives near the park).
The Mohammadi family just moved into their new apartment in Silver Spring this weekend, and Circle of Care members will be the first to hear about how they are settling in. The children starting school will be a big next step which we will follow for you. We look forward to enrolling you in the Circle of Care to partner with our front-line volunteers.
Remembering the generosity of WES members in supporting our first Afghan refugees, the Danesh family, we confidently ask you to help with this urgent need. Please go to https://ethicalsociety.org/connection/donate/, and make a donation to the RRT fund.
Kate Lang
Afghan Welcome Team