Photos : Lynzy Billing this cause were forced to leave the country when the Taliban seized control . Thousands of educated , forward-thinking Afghans — journalists , government workers , academics , and political activists — knew they would be targeted and face persecution by the new government , so chose to flee if they could . Zia was one of those people . He and his family made it out of Kabul on August 28 , 2021 .
A NEW LIFE IN AMERICA , BUT NEVER FORGETTING THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN
Zia ’ s wife was pregnant when they left Afghanistan , so their fourth daughter was born in the United States . Zia is grateful that his family is in a safe place . His daughters love school . His wife is learning English . And Zia , as program officer at CAI , is working tirelessly on behalf of the children , especially the girls , still in Afghanistan . He understands the desperation of poverty . He witnessed the sacrifices his parents made to send him to school . And he ’ s living proof of what can happen to a child who ’ s given the opportunity for an education .
In his position at CAI , Zia helps make education possible in impoverished communities that are largely overlooked by the rest of the world . “ In Afghanistan , Pakistan , and Tajikistan , there are a lot of out-of-school children ,” he said . “ The quality of education is below standard . Access to education , job opportunities , and the outlook for careers for girls and women are all challenges . My work now directly contributes to those people by helping them get an education , pursue their dreams , and have a decent life .”
Zia is thrilled that his daughters are adapting to life in America and reaping the benefits of living in a free , open society . He recalled that in Afghanistan , it was difficult for them to even go outside . “ We had a boundary wall around our house . The kids could only play inside the wall ,” he said . “ There were kidnappings and killings , extortion , and other things . We couldn ’ t let them go outside . We were contained . Here we are going to parks and we let them play . They see the freedoms and feel more secure . They ’ ve been able to see the world more here than in Afghanistan .”
Zia wants his daughters to become role models for the children left behind in Afghanistan . “ I ’ m hoping my daughters find a way to be change agents and bridge these two societies ,” he said . “ I ’ m hoping they go to Afghanistan and represent the opportunities and freedoms in the U . S . When they are here in the U . S ., I ’ m hoping they represent the Afghan people and their struggle , and that someday they facilitate a mutual understanding .”
Education gives Zia hope , and now he ’ s working to make hope come alive for another generation of marginalized Afghan children . “ Continuing to support and promote education programs in Afghanistan is critical ,” he said . “ The Afghan people will remember this support . The people will feel they are not forgotten . Yes , there are issues and restrictions , but your support makes a difference .” u
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“ I ’ m hoping my daughters find a way to be change agents and bridge these two societies ”
FALL 2022 JOURNEY OF HOPE | 25