An ask for “The Afghans”
It is not easy to request donations. Let me rephrase that. It is hard. This is something I have done throughout my adult life. I am very far from a professional philanthropist, but every bit counts. I'll come back to this later.
In the meantime, I have been recuperating from a respiratory infection, working on training Mugsy, our 75-pound Valley Bulldog rescue (he will get his own post one of these days), and thinking about the most important part of my life—the people in it.
Some professional news: it is official, I am now being represented by T•H•E Artist Agency, a highly regarded casting and modeling agency in Washington, D.C. You can find me on the company’s website. I’m looking forward to getting modeling work soon, and with each job, I will be wearing my 67 years of age with pride! Go grey!
I have another “job” ( as a de facto caseworker), and it is the best job I have ever held. Long story, but I will make it brief.
In August 2021, the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan, and hundreds of thousands of refugees poured into various countries, including the U.S.
My husband and I own a rental unit in Arlington, VA. Working with Catholic Charities, which acts as one of the official American resettlement agencies, my husband Andy and I donated the unit to a small family. I will never forget watching the mom, dad, and small kids, all under five at the time, as they entered the apartment for the first time. They were exhausted, relieved, and in shock, but they were safe. We had brought some toys for the kids, and when Andy pulled out a soccer ball, the children were gleeful. Then Andy started kicking it around! And two of the children joined in, while Mina and Jamal (their mom and dad) both smiled ever so slightly. The baby was still nursing in Mina’s arms!
Flash forward to one year later…Jamal has been working full-time and paying rent, two of the children are in public school, and another baby is on the way.
It is hard as heck coming to a new country where everything is new, including the language. We have become family to them, and the feeling is mutual. We have handled issues relating to schooling, new housing, housing grants, and food subsidies. Andy and I are proud to call ourselves “caseworkers.”
We get as much from them as they get from us.
Jamal needs to buy a used car for his job and for his growing family. Another child is due in the early Spring. Andy and I launched a GoFundMe campaign on their behalf this week, with the goal of raising enough money to help the family purchase a reliable used car. The vehicle needs to seat six.
So I will end this missive with the same theme I started with, the “ask.”
Any amount is greatly appreciated, and I can’t thank you enough for listening to our story about “the Afghans.”
