Rabia Afghan and her family arrived in the United States from Afghanistan as part of “Operation Allies Welcome” in April of 2022. They were among the many thousands of Afghan people forced to flee their homes as a result of the Taliban takeover. Upon their arrival in Virginia, Rabia and her family were welcomed by IRC staff member Bill Tuffin, who was assisting with the
Afghan evacuation and handled the family’s initial intake.

In January of 2023, Bill and Rabia met once again. Bill, who had since joined the IRC in Denver as an Employment Specialist, was tasked with helping refugee families become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Coincidentally, his first client was Rabia and her family. 

“I recognized the unique last name and the family immediately,” 

Bill recalls, 

“and I remember them sitting at the desk with me, and how tired and jet-lagged the kids were.”

As the devoted guardian of her two youngest children, Rabia urgently needed to find work to support her family, a task she never imagined possible back in Afghanistan. Fortunately, Bill found a hotel near Rabia’s new home that was willing to offer her a job, despite never having hired a refugee before. 

“It’s really a matter of good luck that we found a willing employer so close to where she lived,” 

Bill explains. 

“Maybe there are some angels at work in this story,” 

he adds, emphasizing the rarity of this opportunity and their crossed paths.


Rabia, who initially did not speak any English, faced a steep learning curve. With unwavering determination, she embraced her new job, learning Spanish phrases from her coworkers and taking English classes to better adapt to her new environment. After two years of hard work, Rabia was promoted, showcasing her high performance and success in the workplace.

“I’m very thankful for the IRC in Denver and their support,” 

Rabia shares.

 “They encouraged me to start working when I didn’t dare to otherwise. It is because of the IRC's programs and their encouragement that I have reached this point.”

As Rabia continues her resettlement journey, she faces ongoing challenges, highlighting the need for continued refugee support. Community barriers, such as language difficulties, limited healthcare access, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging, persist long after the initial months or even first years in the US. 

"Everyone here is so busy and focused on their own things," 

she shares, bringing awareness to the isolation that many can feel during this stage of their resettlement. Rabia dreams of developing the same sense of community and connection she had in Afghanistan, adding that mastering the English language is currently the biggest
barrier to connecting with others. 

Today, Rabia and Bill can look back and marvel at how far she has come since she first got off the plane in Virginia. Rabia is now gainfully employed, confidently managing her workload and schedule with independence. She is successfully navigating her new life in a new city and financially supporting her family, which is no small feat when adjusting to a new country and language. Her courageous journey highlights the vital role of assistance and support for refugees.

"When I was back in Afghanistan, I did not have the courage to be this strong,”

 Rabia shares.

“But now I am here; I can be strong and handle what comes next."


Rabia's success story is a powerful testament to the strength found in resilience and perseverance, and the transformative change that compassion and collaboration can bring.

 

Written by the IRC in Denver's Development Intern Mariam Naibi.

Edited by the IRC in Denver's Development Manager Hanna Simmons.