By Camille Dierksheide
Many of you helped when we put out a call to aid Afghan refugees and I wanted to bring you up to date on what’s happening with these refugees now.
Some of our newest Staunton neighbors are these 15 Afghanistan refugees (including ten men, one woman and four children — and a fifth on the way). They’re currently living in a large house in downtown Staunton.
These Afghans provided essential military aid to the US forces in Afghanistan and, because of that high-level assistance, were brought to the U.S. through the efforts of the U.S.military. Because their families’ lives are in danger through Taliban reprisals, we don’t publicize their photos or names online.
Several of the men were very highly-respected local government officials. Each was given 30 minutes to gather any personal items and papers before boarding a military plane when Kabul fell last summer. Each man has left behind wives, children, and many family members.
Efforts to Date
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) sponsors our Staunton refugees and takes care of many of their expenses until some point in the summer by which time they’re expected to be self-sufficient.
Several devoted volunteers, including neighbors and friends, and Trinity parishioners, have been coordinating the local efforts for this group on behalf of the IRC. The refugees’ current basic needs are being met due to an abundance of clothing, furniture, other household items, drivers, and good will offered by folks at Trinity, and many Stauntonians.
The Afghans’ response has been very heart warming and they’re extremely appreciative of all that was done on their behalf.
Next Steps
As funding by the IRC ends in the next 2-3 months, donations are needed to help pay the refugees’ expenses for a couple of months as they get settled into jobs and have saved up enough funds so that they can move forward on their own. The funds needed will help cover rent, utilities, gasoline, auto insurance, transportation, etc.
They currently have five cars and there’s an urgent need for 1-2 more cars so that they can all get to their jobs, English classes, medical appointments, shopping, and other places.
As you can imagine, there was also a need for personal connections. With that help they’ve done their very best to learn the (often quite complex) elements of life in America: government paperwork, getting Medicaid, dealing with junk mail, understanding how the banking system works, and every aspect of American life.
Because there was such an outpouring of help and connection for them, they are thriving at jobs and are even planning to move to Waynesboro to be closer to friends and family in Charlottesville and closer to jobs they have here in the Valley.
Other Refugee Families
In addition to this large family group, there are two other families that have recently arrived, who are sponsored by Church World Services (CWS). There’s also a fourth family that has been here for a longer time and seems quite well settled.
It is entirely likely that Staunton will receive additional Afghan and possibly Ukranian refugees, creating opportunities for future volunteerism and/or to repurpose household goods that you no longer need but that can help a family set up their new home. We’ll keep you posted if/when that need arises.
We Need You
Interested in becoming involved? Would you like to make a financial gift to help in their transition to new rental homes in Waynesboro? Contact: Camille Dierksheide at solarcrepes@gmail.com or 202-276-6083.
