A Family's New Beginning

When Bashir arrived in America in 2023 with his wife, Wafaa, and their eight-month-old daughter, they had little more than a bag filled with their clothes and diapers for their baby. After years of upheaval – fleeing violence, enduring discrimination, and leaving behind a business they had built together – the family was starting over from scratch.

 

Bashir’s story begins in Afghanistan, where he was born and raised as one of five siblings. His early life was shaped by hardship; he lost his mother when he was only 12 years old. Still, he excelled in school, graduating from high school and earning a bachelor’s degree in literature and began building his career. In Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, he worked in Parliament and the media during a period of escalating danger, serving as an information technology (IT) assistant by day and taking night shifts. “The years 2014, 2015, and 2016 were not good,” he said.  

 

During this time, the Taliban continued its insurgency against the Afghan government and international forces, including attacks in Kabul.  

 

“With the Taliban attacking, there could be explosions at any time,” Bashir said. 

 

In 2014, in hopes of escaping the violence, Bashir decided to go to Turkey to pursue a master’s degree.  

 

Despite the risks, Bashir dreamed of contributing to a better future for Afghanistan. “My people, my country, my livelihood needed me,” he recalled. “Not many people were educated, and I felt I needed to come back.”  

 

But across the country, the Taliban was becoming more powerful than local authorities. “I had worked in Parliament, supporting human rights and women’s rights – everything the Taliban was against. I tried many times, but I couldn’t go back to Afghanistan.” 

 

In Turkey, Bashir met Wafaa, a Syrian girl studying public administration and political science. They shared a common bond: both refugees, both highly educated (between them they speak 7 languages), and both determined to create a better life despite political instability. They married in 2019 after two years together. While studying, Bashir founded a small business in the city of Konya, serving fellow international students and managing hotel accommodations. Wafaa and Bashir ran the business together. 

 

But outside the business, life in Turkey was difficult. Wafaa, as a Syrian refugee, often faced harassment, especially in public places like the metro or even in classrooms. “They were not accepting,” Bashir said. “She was scared, and it wasn’t safe.” After Wafaa became pregnant, the couple decided they had to leave. “The most important thing to me is my wife and my family so we decided to leave Turkey and come to America,” he said, despite having no contacts or resources in the United States. 

 

They arrived in Boston with hope but quickly realized they couldn’t access any support. Within 20 days, they made their way to Virginia, where an old high school classmate opened his townhouse to them while they searched for permanent housing. But without credit, money, or work experience in America, the couple faced rejection after rejection when applying for apartments. Bashir began making desperate calls to friends in Turkey and abroad, searching for any connection in the States. Eventually, a friend agreed to co-sign a lease, and he borrowed money to secure an apartment at a market-rate apartment on Huntington Avenue in Alexandria. 

 

While the first hurdle was overcome, Bashir and Wafaa still had no furniture or food. “I look to my wife and all she says is ‘I am happy with you. I don’t need a villa or anything fancy, just be here with me.’” 

 

 Then came a phone call he’ll never forget: an Arlington community contact, Amy S. “She called and asked, ‘When will you arrive at your new apartment’ I told her April 19 at 2 p.m. And she showed up, right on time with a truck filled with a bed, a sofa, and two or three bags of fresh food,” Bashir said. “We were so happy. We started our life here.” 

 

But the challenges weren’t over. Rent was $1,800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, and Bashir had no job. He spent hours at the computer, searching for resources.  That’s when he discovered the NextDoor community app. He created an account and posted that he was available for moving, yardwork, anything to support his family. 

 

The response was immediate. One of his first clients, Ms. C., needed help with a move and offered to pay $25. She was stunned when he arrived on time and, in just a few hours, consolidated her two storage units into one, saving her money. Impressed, she referred him to others. “I have many friends on NextDoor now,” he laughed. Eventually, her friend donated a TV, household items, and even a car to support Bashir’s family. “That car changed everything,” Bashir said. “It meant I could work. I started doing DoorDash, Walmart deliveries, Amazon, and Lyft.” 

 

With their current apartment lease ending, the family was invited to renew it but with a significant increase in monthly costs.  Bashir knew his current earnings would not be enough to cover the increase.  It was then that he walked down the street to Wesley’s main office to seek the help of a staff member who he coincidentally met months early.  It was that brief encounter, and a bit of luck (a 2-bedroom unit has just become available), that forged the pathway for his family to move into The Arden, enabling his daughter to remain in the preschool and begin to learn English. “We’ve been here for more than a year now,” he said. “The rent is affordable. We feel safe. When something is difficult, we feel comfortable going to [the staff] or the leasing office. We have a relationship, and they really care.” 

 

As of today, Bashir is still juggling delivery jobs while pursuing a Software Engineer in Test (SDET) online certification in hopes of obtaining employment in the IT sector, but his persistence is paying off. Leveraging Wesley Housing’s extensive linkage and referral network, and staff, he recently interviewed for an IT Help Desk position — a  return to the field where his career began.  Meanwhile, in addition to taking ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, with the help of a Wesley team member, Wafaa recently applied for and completed the Together We Bake program, gaining hands-on experience in food production, safety, and business skills, and earned a nationally recognized ServSafe certificate, resulting in preferential hiring and higher wages. Soon after, she proudly passed her driver’s license exam. Once they’re able to secure a second car, she plans to start working. “She says she’ll take anything to get started,” Bashir said. “Once she has a job, she’ll make a plan A, plan B – whatever it takes.” 

 

Most importantly, Bashir and his family were recently granted asylum in the United States through the court system, a milestone that provides them both safety and the foundation to keep building toward their goals. 

 

Though the road has been long and uncertain, Bashir and his family have met every challenge with determination, resilience, and hope.  

 

Now, in a Wesley Housing community where they can afford their rent and access the resources they need, they have the stability to keep building up their life, investing in their family, supporting one another, and planning for an even brighter future together.