From Kabul to South Bend: A Refugee’s Story

For any of us, family life can come with any array of challenges.

For Mohammed, those challenges came in the form of an abrupt end to the government of his home country, a rush to find safety for his family in another country, and ensuring they remained together no matter where they went.

“I went to the market on that day,” said Mohammed of the day Afghanistan’s government fell to the Taliban. “I arrived and there was chaos in the market — everyone was saying the government had collapsed. I couldn’t believe it.”

As an officer in the second unit of Afghan Forces, Mohammed reported directly to the base and called his brother-in-law to bring his family to meet him at the airport in Kabul. Together, he said, they would face whatever was to come.

Two months after transferring to Dubai, Mohammed and his family obtained visas to the U.S. They arrived first in Pennsylvania, and then to New Mexico. Finally, they were arranged to fly to South Bend, and with the help of Catholic Charities and the University of Notre Dame, they moved into housing near campus.

“Because our local diocese was taking a leadership role through Catholic Charities, and with it fitting the call of the Church to serve refugees, we knew helping this family was aligned with our mission at Notre Dame,” said Jay Capanigro, Senior Director of Community Engagement Office of Public Affairs at the University of Notre Dame.

Once they arrived, the most important thing for Mohammed was finding education for his children. “I was worried about that for them in Afghanistan,” he said. Back home, his daughter with special needs was unable to attend school. In South Bend, the staff of Catholic Charities was able to ensure all of his children were admitted into local schools.

“My daughter cries now if the bus doesn’t come,” he said. “She loves school so much.”

Catholic Charities was able to help get Mohammed’s daughter into a swimming class because she loves water. Now, she never misses a class.

“As Christ Himself welcomes those in need, we recognize the importance of serving those who come to us asking for help,” said Dan Florin, CEO of Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend. “Especially when it comes to the family,” he continued, “the family is the core of our society and we must do what we can to help families stay together and safe from harm.”

Now settled in Indiana, Mohammed and his family remain grateful to the local Church, Catholic Charities, and the University of Notre Dame for their efforts in helping the rebuild a new life in the U.S.