From July 1, 2023
This Time Magazine Article of 6/29/23 identifies the difficulties and challenges that many Afghans who were left behind from the evacuation in August 2021, are facing. The same is true for many here in San Diego County who we are helping. The biggest need for them is housing. Most are ending up here, exhausted from their long difficult journeys, with little or no money and not able to rent an apartment without having a regular paying job and a credit history. Some of our new friends are in shelters, while many are staying with local Afghan families who are struggling themselves. Some are stuck in hotels with nowhere to go. We are regularly serving some of these families with the greatest needs of shelter and food. We also are helping connect them with local immigration attorneys to help them through the challenging process of applying for asylum. As the article says, when they do finally send in their application, they need to wait another five months to obtain permission to legally work in the USA.
We also are providing weekly sewing and driving classes for Afghan women, a men’s English class, and our after school tutoring program we call Learning Bridge.
We are thankful for the many volunteers who give of their time and energy to welcoming these newcomers and building friendships. Our volunteers come from many different churches and denominations. Since we are not a government supported agency, we rely solely on the generosity of churches, God’s people, and other non-profits for support.
When you support Bridge Builders Network’s Welcoming Afghans Initiative, you are helping these newcomers overcome many challenges while building genuine friendships, providing hope for the future, and facilitating healing from the trauma of war and forced displacement.
From May 26, 2023
Here is the story of many who are here now making the long dangerous trip through jungles, facing constant bribes, and then ultimately feeling rejected once in the USA by a government that doesn’t seem to care. But we care and we know that you care! Please support us financially in our efforts to welcome these new neighbors who are only seeking safety, freedom, and a future for their children.