Thank you for once again giving me the opportunity to update the SGC community on the status of HARRT’s refugee resettlement efforts, made possible by the generosity and guidance you have shown us since our first family arrived in January 2022.
Family 4 arrived from Malaysia on January 30. They are a family of eight Afghans, who fled Afghanistan over six years ago to escape persecution based on their tribe, or sect. During their long wait in Malaysia, where they did not have the legal right to work or drive, they not only survived but kept their dreams alive through hard work and ingenuity.
The family consists of two parents, the mother of one parent, and five children, three of whom are young adults, all of whom speak better than passable English. They are currently living in a four-bedroom apartment in New Haven.
Dad, 50, is a superb tailor, dressmaker and clothing designer, having owned his own small businesses in Afghanistan. Within weeks of his arrival, our team introduced him to the owner of Greg’s Tailor Shop, who was impressed and has been giving him work to do at home ever since. HARRT has helped him with the purchase of a sewing machine and other necessities to run a business in his home, while his goal is to open his own shop someday. Greg’s cannot provide enough work, and HARRT is actively looking for ways to get the word out about the new tailor in town. He is being tutored in English weekly by a member of our team, and will be attending English classes this summer.
Mom, 39, in addition to keeping their home immaculate and doing the cooking and cleaning, is now caring for her mother-in-law who has recently entered home hospice care. This is a physically and emotionally draining job and unfortunately, she has not been able to take advantage of English classes or any other activities requiring her to be away from home for long periods (although she participates in HARRT’s weekly tutoring sessions).
Child 1 (son), 24, has been serving as the main contact for the family. With HARRT’s assistance, he keeps track of numerous appointments, bills, and phone calls referring to anything regarding his family members. Shortly after his arrival, HARRT set up an interview at Golf Haven in Milford. He was immediately hired and was soon entrusted to manage the business alone during his shifts. In the meantime, he has continued to work on his passion, which is to become a licensed soccer coach at the highest level. In less than five months, he has established a soccer academy for refugee children. HARRT is working with him to obtain necessary insurance and equipment. Additionally, he has already begun taking courses on the pathway to becoming a coach at the top professional level, a process he estimates will take six to ten years. His can-do spirit is inspirational.
Child 2 (son), 22, is also a responsible young man who “can put anything together” and would love to be an auto mechanic. Currently, having inherited his father’s tailoring skills, he is working as a tailor at David’s Bridal in Orange. He has obtained his CT driving permit and has begun driving with some of the HARRT team for practice. A family of eight will find owning a car to be life-changing, and he is the one designated to be the first licensed driver, hopefully in the next few months. Purchasing a car will then become a priority.
Child 3 (daughter),19, is concentrating on obtaining her GED. She has been taking classes at the New Haven Adult Education Center. She is not sure what she would like to do when her schooling is complete, as in Afghanistan, she would not have been expected to work; however, she has expressed an interest in nursing.
Child 4 (son),14, spent much of his time in Malaysia playing soccer. Becoming a professional soccer player is his dream. To that end, in February he tried out for Beachside Soccer Club, an elite academy which is extremely competitive, taking only a small number of applicants each year. To his amazement and delight, he was offered a place on the team and will begin playing in August! As one would expect, an elite academy is expensive, but he applied for a scholarship and was awarded a 75% reduction in tuition. The family and HARRT will work together to cover the remaining costs, which are substantial, while the family decides whether the logistics of traveling to practices and games without a car will be workable. If so, being associated with Beachside could result in many colleges taking an interest in him, even if he does not end up going on to play in a World Cup, his ultimate goal! He will participate in IRIS’s Summer Learning Program, and enter high school in Branford in the fall via the state’s Open Choice Program.
Child 5 (female), 9, is the family member we know least as she is very shy. She is kind and affectionate with her family, and has made friends at school. She will be attending IRIS’s Summer Learning Program this summer and will begin middle school in Branford in the fall. Like her brother, she is taking advantage of CT’s Open Choice Program to move into a district which may best meet her needs. One of HARRT’s education team is a teacher at the school she will be attending, which is reassuring to all!
A brief sketch of this amazing family cannot do justice to their resilience, determination and work ethic. We count ourselves privileged to work with them. Similarly, a “thank you” to SGC cannot do justice to the appreciation and gratitude felt by the entire HARRT team, for making this work possible. Nevertheless —thank you.
Beth Kaufman
HARRT