Appeal for Help: Wife's Family Desperate to Get Out of Afghanistan (UPDATE 20 FEB: THIRD OPTION COMING ABOUT! FOSTERING HOPE IN DESPAIR)

[Nikolai]

You're a special man, brother. In my prayers every day, and will continue to be. God bless!

Thank you! It means a lot man.

 

[Froob]

Thank god, you’re doing great work. So happy you guys found the family member.

 

[Tony2046]

Update?

Let's go @Nikolai . I'm so curious. Hoping for some new American brothers and sisters.

 

[Nikolai]

It's all a slow burn now. It's paperwork and waiting. They're still somewhat in hiding, but everyone is alive, sheltered and fed, and that's the most we can ask for. I've been working on some exfil options and it's been nice to be in the States where I can actually meet with people and hash things out rather than a series of awkward phone calls.

More and more people are asking for help, and it's a matter of separating who NEEDS to leave (because their lives are in danger) versus those who WANT to leave (because no one wants to live under the Taliban). Sadly, with so few resources, we have to prioritize those who need to leave first, which means a possibly very long wait for those who simply want to leave.

One of the families we took on (not related) has gone silent. I'm holding out hope they're ok and in hiding, or maybe living it up in Western Europe somewhere, but it's disconcerting.

The atrocities continue...murder, maiming, disfigurement, etc. Honestly, it's exhausting, and sometimes...I feel exhausted too.

Thank you everyone, for all the support! It's meant the world....literally for all these people.

 

[Tottie]

Amazing work and thanks for sharing.

 

[Tony2046]

It's all a slow burn now. It's paperwork and waiting. They're still somewhat in hiding, but everyone is alive, sheltered and fed, and that's the most we can ask for. I've been working on some exfil options and it's been nice to be in the States where I can actually meet with people and hash things out rather than a series of awkward phone calls.

More and more people are asking for help, and it's a matter of separating who NEEDS to leave (because their lives are in danger) versus those who WANT to leave (because no one wants to live under the Taliban). Sadly, with so few resources, we have to prioritize those who need to leave first, which means a possibly very long wait for those who simply want to leave.

One of the families we took on (not related) has gone silent. I'm holding out hope they're ok and in hiding, or maybe living it up in Western Europe somewhere, but it's disconcerting.

The atrocities continue...murder, maiming, disfigurement, etc. Honestly, it's exhausting, and sometimes...I feel exhausted too.

Thank you everyone, for all the support! It's meant the world....literally for all these people.

Thanks for the update Nikolai.

I wish our government would reach out to you and others trying to do the right thing.

I heard this morning that ISIS is attacking the Taliban. Not sure what that means in the grand scheme of things.

I also saw a glimpse of an interview with an Afghan trapped in Afghanistan after the US left. I'll try to find it but I saw it as I was leaving for work. Hopefully it means that they'll (the media) be putting some pressure on the government to do more.

I'm glad that there's someone like you and your wife there trying to help them. At least those people have that.

 

[PP2]

It's all a slow burn now. It's paperwork and waiting. They're still somewhat in hiding, but everyone is alive, sheltered and fed, and that's the most we can ask for. I've been working on some exfil options and it's been nice to be in the States where I can actually meet with people and hash things out rather than a series of awkward phone calls.

More and more people are asking for help, and it's a matter of separating who NEEDS to leave (because their lives are in danger) versus those who WANT to leave (because no one wants to live under the Taliban). Sadly, with so few resources, we have to prioritize those who need to leave first, which means a possibly very long wait for those who simply want to leave.

One of the families we took on (not related) has gone silent. I'm holding out hope they're ok and in hiding, or maybe living it up in Western Europe somewhere, but it's disconcerting.

The atrocities continue...murder, maiming, disfigurement, etc. Honestly, it's exhausting, and sometimes...I feel exhausted too.

Thank you everyone, for all the support! It's meant the world....literally for all these people.

AWESOME! You owe us a thanksgiving or Christmas pic of the whole family.

 

[PatsDeb]

So glad you found the missing family member. You and your wife are doing such great work.

PS - I just sent you another donation.

 

[Nikolai]

I wanted to wait until it was certain before I posted this update, but we have a singular sponsor willing to sign on for the entire family!!! Securing sponsors has been one of the big headaches of this entire process. My wife and I both work in the government and sponsoring foreign nationals could compromise our careers, so we went looking for a smorgasbord of sponsors to try and get the family in. Like a miracle, a singular sponsor has stepped up! This sponsor is a very private individual, so I will not be posting any details, but we will definitely be toasting to that sponsor over the holiday!!

it's baby steps now, but that's what it will take. A lot of work for seemingly small amounts of progress. This is huge and we are extremely grateful to all of those who have supported us.

On a sour note, the killings continue. Those who have not yet left Afghanistan are finding it much harder to do so, and they are paying with their lives. The Taliban continue to beat women and children who do not follow their laws. I am still part of the effort to document the atrocities. It's overwhelming.

Once I get my wife's family out, I'll be working on more. Sadly, I can no longer consider combining efforts. We've had too many instances where a singular member of a large group is captured and coerced by the Taliban to give up the rest of the group, resulting in dozens of murders. For my family's safety, and for future families' safety, it will have to be onesies for me from here on out. It will drag out the process considerably, but if more people can make it out, all the better.

 

[Nikolai]

AWESOME! You owe us a thanksgiving or Christmas pic of the whole family.

Alas, the timeline is so slow now and the government so backlogged, I'm adjusting my hopes to have the family by Eid (May 2022). Off season Eid pics are the goal now!!

So glad you found the missing family member. You and your wife are doing such great work.

PS - I just sent you another donation.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Tony2046]

Alas, the timeline is so slow now and the government so backlogged, I'm adjusting my hopes to have the family by Eid (May 2022). Off season Eid pics are the goal now!!



Thank you so much!!!

After you get your family out and home safe my kids and I will have a second Thanksgiving celebration here at my house in honor of you and our new brothers and sisters. .

Thanks for the update buddy.

 

[Joker]

It's enraging how our government turned its' back on you and your family. God bless you and your family, Nikolai.

 

[DaBruinz]

@Nikolai - So happy that your family was able to find a sponsor. That is fantastic news. I'm thankful that we have so may awesome board members who were willing to step up and help. Be it monetarily or with contacts or both.

 

[BTTA]

I wanted to wait until it was certain before I posted this update, but we have a singular sponsor willing to sign on for the entire family!!! Securing sponsors has been one of the big headaches of this entire process. My wife and I both work in the government and sponsoring foreign nationals could compromise our careers, so we went looking for a smorgasbord of sponsors to try and get the family in. Like a miracle, a singular sponsor has stepped up! This sponsor is a very private individual, so I will not be posting any details, but we will definitely be toasting to that sponsor over the holiday!!

it's baby steps now, but that's what it will take. A lot of work for seemingly small amounts of progress. This is huge and we are extremely grateful to all of those who have supported us.

On a sour note, the killings continue. Those who have not yet left Afghanistan are finding it much harder to do so, and they are paying with their lives. The Taliban continue to beat women and children who do not follow their laws. I am still part of the effort to document the atrocities. It's overwhelming.

Once I get my wife's family out, I'll be working on more. Sadly, I can no longer consider combining efforts. We've had too many instances where a singular member of a large group is captured and coerced by the Taliban to give up the rest of the group, resulting in dozens of murders. For my family's safety, and for future families' safety, it will have to be onesies for me from here on out. It will drag out the process considerably, but if more people can make it out, all the better.

So what happens for your family members now? Do they need homes and jobs, and is that the sponsor's role (beyond the legal stuff)?

 

[Nikolai]

@Nikolai - So happy that your family was able to find a sponsor. That is fantastic news. I'm thankful that we have so may awesome board members who were willing to step up and help. Be it monetarily or with contacts or both.

No doubt. I had board members here reach out, even spoke with one on the phone. I am extremely thankful for the folks here.

So what happens for your family members now? Do they need homes and jobs, and is that the sponsor's role (beyond the legal stuff)?

They're still in the third country. Fortunately, it's fairly affordable to house and feed them while we wait and the donations made here are making that so much easier! It's not an easy life since the males are more or less forced to stay inside because they are harassed by local police. But it's better than being dead in Afghanistan.

Once they're here, we've got a support system for them. We've got family in CA and us here in the DC area and we can house and feed them while they get their documents so they can work, live, etc like regular folk here in the USA. Our house will be a bit full for a number of months

 

[BTTA]

No doubt. I had board members here reach out, even spoke with one on the phone. I am extremely thankful for the folks here.



They're still in the third country. Fortunately, it's fairly affordable to house and feed them while we wait and the donations made here are making that so much easier! It's not an easy life since the males are more or less forced to stay inside because they are harassed by local police. But it's better than being dead in Afghanistan.

Once they're here, we've got a support system for them. We've got family in CA and us here in the DC area and we can house and feed them while they get their documents so they can work, live, etc like regular folk here in the USA. Our house will be a bit full for a number of months

OK. I live in NW DC so happy to lend a hand with something if I'm around.

 

[Nikolai]

OK. I live in NW DC so happy to lend a hand with something if I'm around.

Thank you!! I really appreciate that and I will certainly keep it in mind!

 

[n6249c]

OK. I live in NW DC so happy to lend a hand with something if I'm around.

I’m in the NoVa ‘burbs, and ditto on happy to help.

 

[BTTA]

@Nikolai - this is one of our neighborhood restaurants. AMAZING story about folks from Afghanistan.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/12/15/afghanistan-women-restaurant-aracosia/

 

[n6249c]

@Nikolai - this is one of our neighborhood restaurants. AMAZING story about folks from Afghanistan.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/12/15/afghanistan-women-restaurant-aracosia/

Thanks for posting that. I’m going to have to visit one of their restaurants. Hoping I’ll be able to take a friend what spent much time in Afghanistan.