Announcement
By Jonathan Partridge, Volunteer and InKind Donations Coordinator in Turlock, CA
Growing up in Afghanistan, Fatima* was taken out of school at a young age and never learned to write her name. After she and her family left their war-torn country to come to Turlock in 2018, she enrolled earlier this year in IRC Turlock/Modesto's new Afghan Path to Wellness course, which focuses on mental and physical well-being. Now, after finishing the course, Fatima can write her name and has obtained her learner's permit to begin driving.
“This was a great success for the client, because at the start of the cohort she wasn’t confident to write her name or take action toward accomplishing a goal for herself,” said IRC caseworker Reianna Peets, who manages the Afghan Path Towards Wellness program. “Since the cohort has ended, she has received her permit and has enrolled into Modesto Junior College ESL classes in Turlock.”
Afghan Path Towards Wellness (APTW) got its start in spring 2019 after the IRC received a grant from Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in February 2019 to fund the program. The IRC received word last month that the agency is extending the grant for another 16 months.
Qaderi and Sadaat lead an APTW session at the IRC.
Photo: IRC/Yasmeen El-Farra
APTW’s Dari-speaking community health promoters, Sima Qaderi and Farishta Sadaat, teach courses to Afghan refugee participants on topics such as culture shock, mental health, the mind-body connection, and creating wellness. Michelle Riley, a licensed clinical social worker, assists with mental support for those who need it, and Peets manages the program and helps clients access the health and wellness services that they need.
Both Sadaat and Qaderi came to the United States as IRC clients, so they can relate to clients as they share their own personal stories. Sadaat has been encouraged to see client participants gain confidence as they share their personal stories.
“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the courage they’ve got—the courage to speak,” Sadaat said.
In addition to providing a space for Afghan women to gain mental health skills, APTW offers a venue for women to build relationships with one another and to set goals for themselves. Child watch is offered, so women can freely bring their kids along if there is no one to look after them at home.
A session on “The Refugee Experience” helps acknowledge the challenges that Afghan refugee women face, while another session on goal-setting focuses on participants’ goals and dreams. It was during this latter session that Fatima determined to learn how to write her name and study the driver’s permit book.
Participants are empowered in other ways as well as they learn that they have rights. For instance, Sadaat recalled one client who was amazed to learn that she could call 9-1-1 to dispatch police in the event of an emergency, and police would respond without charging money.
In general, female participants become more comfortable talking with other women about traumatic experiences. And they feel more empowered to speak up to express themselves.
“Our clients—they have confidence," Sadaat said, "and they feel equality when we share stories."
Note: *Fatima's name has been changed for confidentiality purposes.
