The chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 etched indelible images of desperation into global memory. Among the throngs attempting to escape the swiftly advancing Taliban were two young brothers, aged eight and thirteen, bidding farewell to their father at the Kabul airstrip. Their father, employed by the previous Afghan government, faced imminent danger and sought refuge. However, in the ensuing pandemonium, a tragic separation occurred. An explosion rocked the tarmac, and amidst the ensuing confusion, the father was locked outside the airport fence while the two boys were swept inside. Propelled by the surging crowd, they were unknowingly ushered onto a departing plane, their lives forever altered by this unforeseen twist of fate. The boys, having never flown before, found themselves on a journey to an unknown destination, completely unaware of their future.
Landing in Calgary, Canada, the brothers were placed under the care of Child and Family Services. Providence intervened when a family friend contacted Mahdi Adreshy and Noushin Ghasempour, an Iranian couple residing in Calgary, to inquire about their assistance. Sharing a common language and cultural background, Adreshy and Ghasempour became a lifeline for the bewildered boys, offering comfort and communication in their native tongue. Although initially unplanned, their commitment to helping these children evolved into a deep and abiding bond. Tragically, the couple had lost their own 19-year-old son just six months prior, and amidst their grief, they found solace and purpose in caring for these two Afghan boys separated from their family.
The couple welcomed the brothers into their home, embracing them as part of their family. They patiently guided the boys through the challenges of learning a new language, enrolling them in school, and introducing them to Canadian culture through activities like skiing, camping, and soccer. Though initially beset by fear and uncertainty, the younger brother gradually adapted to his new surroundings, finding comfort and security in the love and support provided by Adreshy and Ghasempour. However, the passage of time brought new anxieties, as the boys’ understanding of their situation deepened and they grappled with the prolonged separation from their parents.
As three months transformed into three years, the weight of their displacement continued to impact the boys’ mental health. The couple maintained regular contact with the boys’ parents, who had sought refuge in Pakistan, but lived under the constant threat of deportation back to Afghanistan. The mother, Frozan, expressed the unbearable pain of separation and the constant fear for her family’s safety. She recalled a harrowing incident where her husband and another son were detained by Pakistani authorities, threatened with deportation, leaving her in agonizing uncertainty. Despite the trauma they endured, Frozan expressed profound gratitude for the kindness and care shown to her sons by the Calgary couple.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Adreshy and Ghasempour launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the family’s visa applications in Pakistan. They hoped to expedite the reunification process, which had been stalled for nearly four years, and appealed to the Canadian government for assistance. Despite the mounting uncertainty and bureaucratic hurdles, they remained steadfast in their belief that the family would be reunited. Ghasempour, drawing strength from her own experience of loss, expressed unwavering hope that the boys would soon embrace their parents at the airport, culminating in a long-awaited and joyous reunion.
The story of these two Afghan boys, caught in the crosscurrents of global events, highlights the devastating impact of war and displacement on families. It also illuminates the remarkable capacity for human compassion, as demonstrated by the Calgary couple who opened their hearts and home to these children in need. Their unwavering dedication to reuniting the family underscores the enduring power of hope amidst adversity. As the boys navigate their new lives in Canada, the ongoing efforts to reunite them with their parents continue, serving as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of familial bonds. The family’s fate now rests in the hands of the Canadian immigration authorities, whose decision will determine whether they can finally rebuild their lives together, free from fear and uncertainty.
