Stories

Life as a child in Afghanistan

The first few years of my life were peaceful and happy. I lived with my family, and even though we moved around a lot, we were together.

I come from a family of doctors, and my dad was an ambitious man who always helped me follow my dreams. He is my hero and my biggest supporter. He studied medicine in Russia, but we moved back to Afghanistan in the 1990s, and then the Taliban took over. Girls weren’t allowed to go to school and women couldn’t go to university, but my father arranged for a private (and secret) tutor for me. 

When the conflict in Afghanistan worsened, we went to my grandparent’s house. My family had to stay in the basement for 11 days. With no electricity, we burned just a single candle each evening.

After a few years, our city remained one of the few the Taliban still controlled, so we moved again. The journey was difficult, but we were relieved that were getting back to a normal life.

Schools re-opened and we were free at last. The first day of school was like nothing I had ever experienced before. All of us girls were wearing our best dresses, had fancy hair-dos, and wore beautiful make-up, to celebrate a monumental day.

 

Going to university and starting my career

My dad’s secret home-schooling had been so successful that I finished high school in just four years. I wanted to go to Kabul University but it was very competitive. I ended up studying International Trade Law in India. 

When I returned to Afghanistan I managed to find a great job in the government.

 

The Taliban’s return to power

The Taliban returned to power in 2021. It wouldn’t have been safe for me to stay in Afghanistan.

The plan was to flee anywhere else. I went to the airport with some other family members, including my brother. But many people had the same idea. We were there for three days. 

On the third day, we were just outside the airport with hundreds of other people waiting. Violence between armed groups broke out and my brother quickly pulled us away. A bomb went off directly where we had just stood. Many people died. I went into shock as black smoke filled the air. My brother rushed us away to safety. 

The airport was closed so we went to the border. I fled to Pakistan, where I lived and worked for a year. 

 

Claiming asylum and finding West London Welcome

I wanted to do my second master’s degree, but when I got to the UK, I knew I had to prioritise my safety and so I claimed asylum. I was placed in an asylum hotel in West London, relieved that I was finally safe.

When I was seeking asylum, I was not allowed to work. The feeling reminded me of the same issue I faced in Afghanistan. At first, I didn’t socialise with anyone in the hotel. I was so far from my family and felt more alone than ever. I am not someone who complains, so I accepted my situation and stayed positive. After a while, I made friends with some of the mothers in the hotel. One of them introduced me to West London Welcome. 

WLW truly is home. I learned everything I needed to know here; a new culture, a new language. I feel at peace here. I feel confident here. WLW English classes were useful because I couldn’t go to college in the first six months of claiming asylum in the UK.

WLW English classes were useful because I couldn’t go to college in the first six months of claiming asylum in the UK.

This space is not just a charity— it is a place of hope, support, and belonging. It helped me rebuild my life. I began volunteering as often as I could, and even started teaching a women’s zumba fitness class. I also volunteered for the British Red Cross, and at a local church, cooking food. It gave me a sense of purpose and being part of a community.

Once I was granted refugee status, a West London Welcome caseworker, Alison, helped me understand how to set up appointments at the job centre and helped me open a bank account. Alison guided me on how the accommodation system works. I told her all of my concerns and she explained my rights to me as a refugee, including what type of support I can access until I can work full-time and afford my own accommodation. 

 

Looking to the future

I worked hard to become independent. Once I received refugee status it was very difficult to find a room in London to live in because I didn’t have a guarantor. Many landlords rejected me. But I didn’t give up. After months of trying, I finally found my own place. Now I live alone, and I feel proud and happy. I am studying Health and Social Care and also work as a nail technician. 

My dad is proud of me; I speak to my parents every day.  I hope to study adult nursing and eventually open my own aesthetic clinic. Even though I am busier now, I want to volunteer at WLW more often. I love volunteering. It helps me. I don’t feel lonely anymore.