Afghan Family Adjusts to Life in US Without Their Mother

In August, Jan Mohammad Saber, a former local United Nations employee in Afghanistan, and his five children were evacuated from the country, but his wife was left behind. The children are now trying to adjust to their life in the U.S. without their mother. VOA’s Noshaba Ashna reports from Atlanta, Georgia.

Jan Mohammad Saber, a former United Nations employee in Afghanistan, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his five children.

They were evacuated after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August.

But Saber’s wife didn’t make it through the pandemonium at Kabul airport and remains in Afghanistan.

Jan Mohammad Saber, Former U.N. Employee:

“We had to reach to the place through the crowds, shootings and beatings. It was difficult, and to protect the kids from a possible stampede, we were supporting each other. At the end, she could not get in. The kids and I entered and then the gates were shut. They remained closed for two to three days, and it was impossible to bring her in and we had to take the flight.”

Now, life without their mother is hard for Saber’s children.

Jan Mohammad Saber, Former U.N. Employee:

“They are asking for their mother every single day. They remember their mother even when having meals. It is difficult. It changes the whole environment. When they are changing their clothes or doing something else, they remember their mother.”

Despite this, the children say they are happy to be in America.

Ibrar, Son:

“We are happy to be here in the U.S., but we remember what our mother was doing [for us]. We were happy with her. She was preparing us food. We miss her. She was very nice to us. We miss her too much.”

Sara, Daughter:

“I am happy that I am going to school. I always remember my mother, and I miss her. I want my mother to come here soon.”

The family can talk to their mother in Afghanistan and do so as often as they can. But there’s no word on when she will be able to join them in the United States.

In August, the United States and its allies evacuated more than 124,000 people from Kabul Airport. But tens of thousands of additional Afghans remain in the country, looking for ways to escape the Taliban.

Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-fami...

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