Upon the fall of my province in the hands of Tal*ban, a couple of my family members, who were advocating for women survivors of violence became the target of the Tal*ban. Their office was immediately attacked & bombed leaving women in the shelter without a home. Further, my family members who worked directly with the NGOs were supposed to be evacuated, but they were sent a last-minute message by their supervisor to head back to their home bc “you’re all by your own now!”
Now the activists in my family are left in the middle of this crisis & are in hiding. I’m receiving messages from my younger family members, who had dreams of changing the world, begging me to get them out. I’m breaking down as I am writing this bc I feel so helpless. If I could, I would have gotten them out in a heartbeat because I never had a moment of peace with the guilt of leaving my family behind.
Not only the activism of my family has put them in danger but their identity has been continuously at the center of attacks. During the last couple of decades, the Tal*ban committed mass genocide against ethnic & religious minorities. I’ll never forget the pain in the eyes of my parents when they speak about how they witnessed the killing of their loved ones & how heartbreakingly they carry the survivor’s guilt.
Among many, 4 years ago, I witnessed my strong father breakdown after finding out that Tal*ban attacked our worship place & massacred almost everyone, in the neighborhood he grew up while praying. His best friend was injured & when realized that the Tal*ban were running upstairs to kill women & children, he tried to stop them by resisting & he was shot multiple times.
I DO NOT want to be like my parents. I do not want to tell my children about how my loved ones were massacred by the Taliban & how I was not able to help. I want the cycle to end with me. I’m burnout & so exhausted from knocking on every door & being turned away. So, I’m turning to you. As a first-generation low-income student, I cannot sponsor my family nor can I pay for their visas/app. Please consider putting any vent you can put into this. I greatly appreciate it.
Unfortunately, due to security issues, I cannot share any specific details that might put them in more danger. I am drawing so much danger by just writing this but I cannot do this without any help. The money will be helping 15 family members of mine (activists mainly women and their families). Every application is nearly $600 and I need to pay for their lawyers, tickets, hotels as well. Any amount over the need will directly go to their basic need upon their arrival like food, clothes as well as education.
Instagram: @ZahraZwZ
Venmo: @Sahar-WZ
