Tabby's Story
Before the Taliban seized control, Tabby thrived in an environment that fostered women's freedoms. She excelled academically, sang in a national choir, and represented Afghanistan in a cultural exchange program. She dreamt of becoming a neurosurgeon. However, the Taliban's return to power brought fear and upheaval. Her family, with ties to the previous government, became targets.
They were forced to destroy evidence of their education and flee to Pakistan. In Pakistan, Tabby endured hardship and uncertainty, including being confined to a household as an unpaid domestic worker after experiencing sexual harassment from a government official. Eventually, she found a new home and educational opportunity at the Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
While grateful for this chance, Tabby still faces the emotional strain of separation from her family and the challenge of navigating a new culture and language. Her future remains uncertain, as she relies on scholarships to continue her education and potentially secure a more permanent status in the United States. Despite the immense difficulties she has endured, Tabby remains determined to achieve her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
