Even as a crisis unfolds in Ukraine with refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, refugees from America’s war in Afghanistan are settling into their new lives in Bradenton and Sarasota.
This week, Noman Raoufi, 24, and his sister, Venus Raoufi, 21, talked about their journey from Kabul, 10 days after the Afghan capital fell to the Taliban on Aug. 15, 2021, and how they started over four months later in Bradenton with six other family members.
The siblings are fluent in English, which has helped with the transition, as has a groundswell of community support, and a grateful employer, Westminster Point Pleasant assisted living.
“We are lucky to have them,” said Denise Chandler, director of Learning and People Development for Westminster Communities of Florida.
“Noman is a problem solver and so resourceful. Venus is warm and wonderful,” Chandler said. “They have added so much to our community.”
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
During the war, Noman worked as a translator with U.S. and other allied forces and contractors. Venus worked at the Afghan Ministry of Justice.
The Taliban “destroyed our government on Aug. 15,” Norman said. “The first three days I was unable to go outside and hid in a relative’s house. On Aug. 18, I secured my visa from the U.S. Embassy.”
Noman and eight family members waited five days at the airport in Kabul, living on food and water provided once a day by U.S. Marines before being placed on a flight to freedom. Brothers-in-law and cousins who had hoped to join them were denied exit because their last names were different than the Raoufis. Venus’ husband is still in France.
After arriving in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25, the family was sent to Fort Lee, Va., their home for several months.
“They asked where we want to live, and I said Virginia,” Noman said.
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
When advised that he could stay in Virginia, but the rest of the family would be placed in Florida, Noman decided to come to Florida, too.
Lutheran Services Florida helped resettle the family in Bradenton, making them the first Afghan family to be relocated here. Lutheran Services was very protective of the Afghans, making sure that they wouldn’t be exploited or abused, Chandler said.
Noman works as a human resources assistant at Westminster and as a liaison with other Afghans, assisting them with translations and helping them with housing.
Venus is a maintenance assistant and also helps with computer work.
While Noma and Venus’ family share a three-bedroom house, finding housing is a problem for refugees, with soaring prices and limited inventory.
Other issues faced by newly arrived Afghans include learning English and differences in culture, such as freer dialogue between men and women.
Christian and Muslim groups have stepped up to help with the transition. Others helping include former Peace Corps volunteers.
“All of the community has reached out,” Chandler said. Among the donations are bicycles, bike helmets, textbooks and televisions.
About 21 Afghans are working for Westminster in the Bradenton area, Chandler said. Westminster is now shifting its focus to its facilities in St. Petersburg and Orlando.
“We have two new families arriving today in St. Pete and Noman will be headed up to meet them. Next week, he will be headed to Orlando to meet new families. Our properties in Tallahassee and Jacksonville are saying, ‘What about us?’” Chandler said.
Noman is optimist about the future for the Afghans who have relocated to the United States.
“I talked to all of them separately,” he said. “All of them have good goals for the future. They want to continue their education and get their degrees.”
Sarasota Sheriff’s Deputy Mubarak brought 33 members of his family out of Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last year. Here are some of the children who are now safe in the United States. Photo provided by Sarasota Sheriff's Office
Other Afghans in Sarasota-Bradenton
Sylvia Acevedo, senior director for Refugee & Employment Services, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, estimates there are 41 Afghans in Sarasota and another 179 in the Tampa Bay area.
“We started receiving folks in October, November and December after the U.S. withdrawal,” she said.
Afghan refugees, who were vetted, medically examined, and vaccinated before arriving in the U.S., were initially assigned to eight stateside military installations.
The first phase of resettlement was to move them from the military installations into communities around the United States.
Once they arrived in Southwest Florida, JFCS, from its office in North Port, picked the Afghans up at the airport, and provided temporary and long-term housing, Acevedo said.
Other services included orientations, health screenings, enrollment in English classes, employment searches and school enrollment.
“One of the major needs is housing,” Acevedo said.. “We are asking anyone with housing or rental leads to let us know.”
Many of the Afghans are highly educated — some are doctors or engineers — and can fill vacancies during the acute labor shortage.
“These are folks who are incredibly resourceful and resilient and they will land on their feet,” Acevedo said.
“One of the things we did early was create a refugee assistance fund,” she said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H7rRU0EGMY&t=3s
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Deputy brings family members from Afghanistan
A Sarasota Sheriff’s Office deputy brought 33 members of his family out of Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last year.
“Our deputy Mubarek worked with the State Department, Senator Rick Scott, and Sarasota Sheriff’s Office to bring 33 family members out of Kabul,” said Kaitlyn R. Perez, the sheriff’s community affairs director.
Mubarek, 40, whose first name was not given due to security concerns, was a highly respected interpreter who worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, including Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman’s cousin, Col. Randy Hoffman, now a retired Marine.
“No telling how many lives he saved,” the sheriff said. “Now, he has brought 33 members of his family here from Fort Bliss. All the things he has done and what has happened. It is like a movie.”
Mubarak moved to Sarasota in December 2020, attended the law enforcement academy in March 2021, was hired by the Sheriff’s Office April 2, and completed the law enforcement academy in June.
He lives in Sarasota with his wife and four children. In all, Mubarak is now responsible for the well-being of five separate family groups.
“Mubarek’s father died on the way to the airport. But by the grace of God, the others were able to get through the gate,” Perez said.
While at Fort Bliss for two months, the refugees were able to communicate with Mubarek with two pre-paid cell phones that an employee of the sheriff’s office drove to Texas.
The refugees arrived in Florida in three different groups in October.
Sheriff Hoffman started a GoFundMe page for the Afghans that raised about $200,000. They were also able to find a home in southern Manatee County for about 20 of the group. Part of Mubarek’s family has since relocated to New England.
“This was really a community effort. The Church of the Redeemer has given us thousands of dollars, Sam’s Club has provided food donations — there has been a huge family effort supporting us,” Perez said.
The Manatee River Rotary recently delivered a $500 check to Mubarek to help him resettle members of his family in Manatee County.
“We are starting from scratch. This is a generational change we‘ll create with the woman. They can speak, wear western clothing. We really feel privileged we were able to help with the local effort,” Perez said.
“They are a very hard-working group of individuals and they have been motivated to work since the get-go.”
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Noman Raoufi and his sister, Venus, at Westminster where they both now work after immigrating from Afghanistan. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Sarasota Sheriff’s Deputy Mubarak brought 33 members of his family out of Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last year. Photo provided by Sarasota Sheriff's Office.
