By: Jen Fullmer, RC of Biddeford-Saco
Mohammad H. and his family were miraculously pulled through the Abby Gate into the “safe zone” at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, just 24 hours before the bomb went off last month. A very small “pick up team” of people from my network over the years made it happen, along with one incredible Marine. Now, we Rotarians have an opportunity.
During my time in the Air Force, I spent a year studying at the U.S. Air Force Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, where Colonel Mohammad H. of the Afghan Air Force was my classmate and dear friend. My husband and I are sponsoring him and his family to Maine and we expect them to arrive around the end of October or later.
Mohammad H. will arrive with 11 members of his immediate family,
including his wife, four adult children, two daughters-in-law, and three young grandchildren. His children are well educated and held the professional positions in Afghanistan of civil engineer, medical doctor, and history teacher. They will no doubt be valuable additions to our community.
It is too early to know exactly what specific support will be needed as the family goes through the Catholic Charities resettlement process. What we do know is that there will definitely be an opportunity for Rotarians to help this family. Please keep an eye out for my next article and update on our new neighbors with a call to action.
If you or your club are interested in hearing more about this family’s extraordinary rescue, please contact me at jenfullmer1@gmail.com or 325-660-8661.