New Haven Independent

Daud is a friendly, gracious man. After I meet him in the offices of the Interfaith Refugee Ministry on Academy Street in Wooster Square, he invites me to his home on Gilbert Avenue near the Hospital of St. Raphael in the West River neighborhood. Chris George, IRM’s executive director, warns me to fast for two days before I go to visit — and I should have. Daud’s wife, Karima, has made the kind of meal she feeds her family every day, but for me it’s a rare treat: fragrant extra long-grain rice, dumplings stuffed with a variety of meats and vegetables, beans, bread, and hot sauce on the side, followed by deliciously spiced tea. After eating the two servings Daud piles on my plate, I demur at the third and hope I haven’t offended them.

Daud flew a military transport helicopter for the government that preceded the Taliban, and he had a little store. He and his wife lived in Kabul with their children, now ages 21 to 10. The youngest, Bahar, was just 2 when the family fled through Pakistan to Iran, where they lived for two and a half years, then went on to Azerbaijan for five more years.

Daud says when he was offered a choice by the U.N. refugee center about where to resettle, he chose America. The family arrived in New Haven last May through the auspices of the Interfaith Refugee Committee, which got the family settled into their apartment and found the eldest three children jobs at a ceramics factory in West Haven. IRM offers other services, including counseling and an after-school program for the children of immigrants.

“I think America is really nice country,” Daud says. “We find our life again here. I want to stay in U.S.A. always with my family.”

He adds, “America is a very strong country. Living here my children will be strong, too.”

The whole family is studying English, and the two eldest daughters plan to attend Gateway Community College once their English is up to speed. The family already owns two cars and many of the accoutrements of American life that are considered essential — a TV, sound system, computer with internet connection.

Chris George of IRM says his agency has resettled about 40 Afghans in the area, and he knows of other Afghans who got here some other way. IRM provides case management services, an after-school program for school-age refugee children, and other services.

Daud says he has no intention of returning to Afghanistan, but he gives high marks to President Hamid Karzai. “He is a good man. He understands things about Afghanistan.”
Daud also says that his country is now safe. (However, the news has been filled in recent months with reports of increased violence and the resurgence of the Taliban.)

Karima understands a lot of English, but doesn’t speak much yet. But she seems very happy to be here. The couple would like to open a small business, possibly a restaurant serving Afghan food, which they think would be the first in the area. I promised to come and bring all my friends.