Before the Taliban: The scout who built a library
Already a top scout and top student, Fatima overcame many obstacles to advance in her education – not least of which was attending an elementary school that had almost no access to books. As a 14-year-old high school student, she wanted the kids from her village to have an easier time advancing their education. Building a library made perfect sense for that. So, with the help of her fellow scouts, she did just that!
Scouting in Afghanistan was a unique privilege for students whose academic and leadership potential was already evident. PARSA Scouts (founded by the Boy Scouts of America) cultivated the next-generation of leaders in Afghanistan, created a bridge between Afghanistan’s many cultures and western ideas about the equality and hard-work. Fatima’s parents (dad, a businessman; mom, a scientist) recognized that Fatima was uniquely gifted and supported her dreams to become a physician who served rural populations.
Taliban Takeover: No school, Constant danger
The day that the Taliban arrived in Kabul, they sent all the girls home from school. Girls over 10 years old had no need of an education, according to the Taliban. But that wasn’t enough: The Taliban needed to find the girls who were “too Americanized” and ensure they conformed. Because Fatima had male relatives who were military officers in the US-based Afghan army, she was an immediate target for forced marriage. Forcing a girl like Fatima to marry a Taliban fighter would send a message to everyone in her area and across her family that obeying the Taliban is the only survive.
Fleeing Kabul: A lonely escape
Recognizing the danger for his daughter, Fatima’s father and several other male relatives smuggled her out of the country. Along the way, they helped a few other people ecape. But once Fatima was secure in a scout-connected safehouse in Pakistan, her dad and others went back to Kabul. Her parents, sister, and brothers remain there today.
For the next several months, Fatima devoted herself to learning English and applying for admission to American high schools.
Life in the USA: Harder than it Looks
“I learned English watching Friends, but this isn’t as easy as sitting in a coffee shop,” says Fatima. “My education in Afghanistan was completely different than an American education and learning in a second language is exhausting. I’m so thankful to be in a supportive school and to have such a welcoming scout troop. It really means a lot.”
As anyone can imagine, this kind of journey takes a tremendous amount of grit – but it leaves some wounds, too. After 2+ years of being excluded from schools, Fatima started well behind her classmates and has had to work twice as hard as everyone else to catch up. (And catch-up she has! With a 3.8 GPA!) But it’s been 3 years since she’s seen her mom or her siblings.
What’s Next: Eagle Scout and.. eventually Medical School.
Fatima’s next challenge is navigating the college admission process. As a non-American, college admissions and financial aid are almost as daunting and unfamiliar as learning English. She’ll need a top-notch SAT score and a high TOEFFL score (English proficiency) to be competitive, but she won’t be able to rely on financial aid or in-state tuition discounts. As a foreign-student, she won’t be eligible for either. And as an Afghan, she also won’t be able to apply for student loans. Fatima will need to both get into college and find enough scholarships to cover the entire cost or she will be forced to leave the United States.
Eventually, Fatima wants to become a doctor and care for the needs of rural Afghans, but it won’t be safe for her to return to Afghanistan while the Taliban remain in control. For Fatima, this creates both heartache and anxiety: navigating the US visa system to remain in a safe place is very difficult. Despite bipartisan efforts to expand the number of US visas for Afghans, 96% of all Afghan visa applicants are denied. Fatima needs an experienced immigration lawyer to assist her in the process, but the cost of legal support can be staggering.
As others help Fatima navigate college applications and the law, Fatima is focusing on something that she can control: becoming the first Afghan Scout to earn the BSA Eagle Scout award. She’s well on her way, having advanced 3 scout-ranks in a single year.
