As we continue to amplify the voices of those welcomed following the fall of Kabul, today we’d like to introduce you to Marjila, a case manager with Lutheran Social Service of the National Capital Area’s (LSSNCA) Virginia office.
Marjila grew up in Kabul with seven siblings in a family that deeply valued education and intellectual pursuits. Before the Taliban’s takeover, Marjila recalls Kabul as a “vibrant city where tradition and modernity coexisted,” offering Marjila and her family a rich and safe environment filled with sibling banter, laughter, and stimulating conversations.
Marjila graduated in journalism and communication from the University of Kabul. She worked as a journalist and served as a project manager for an NGO in Kabul while also establishing her own nonprofit focused on helping homeless children. On August 15, 2021, she woke up thinking she would head to the permit office to pick up the permit for her NGO and start operations. But the situation changed drastically when she learned that the Taliban had taken control of Kabul.
“…and just like that, I was no longer allowed to go out alone, and I was confined to my home for the next four months,” she recalls.
While one of her sisters managed to leave the country along with her two older siblings a few days later, Marjila and her then 16-year-old sister remained at home for four months under the Taliban’s rule. Her parents witnessed the mental toll it took on them. They noticed how each day, their energy and flair slowly started fading away.
“Before this, I was actively engaged in meaningful work. As a journalist and social activist, I knew staying would endanger my family and me, but it broke my heart to leave them behind,” Marjila reflects.
In December, she received a call from her employer informing her that she was on the list of workers who were finally going to be evacuated from Kabul.
“I remember that late night when I received a call from the organization I worked for. They said I was on the evacuees list. I asked about my family but was informed that only I could go. I had two hours to decide if I should stay with my parents and siblings or leave. I shared this with my parents. They said, ‘Go and build your future, Marjila. We will be OK.’ But I could see how concerned they were about letting me go alone. I’ve never traveled abroad alone and certainly wasn’t a norm for an Afghan woman to travel alone.”
Marjila evacuated Kabul in December 2021 and spent a month in Doha before arriving in New Jersey. She lived among other Afghan evacuees on a military base for 45 days and kept herself occupied by volunteering and assisting newly arriving families. She eventually resettled in Virginia, where her uncle, her only relative in the United States. She adjusted to her new life while receiving services through LSSNCA.
When reminiscing about her life in Kabul, Marjila fondly recalls her youngest sister, 16-year-old Anosha, and their shared love for books. “One of my most cherished memories is our monthly bookstore visits. In the lively city of Kabul, amidst the street food and vibrant bazaars, we found solace in quiet bookstores like Kart-e-Char. I even brought the last two books we bought together to the U.S. Every month, we dedicated a day to explore new books, and we cherished our time together, discussing stories over tea in a cozy café. We often invited street children to join us, reflecting on how unfair it was that many kids didn’t get to enjoy their childhood. Anosha’s empathy and concern for these children always stood out.”
Marjila is deeply worried about her sister's current situation. She feels Anosha’s hope for a brighter future is sustained by memories of the past and a belief that the Taliban might lose power again, just as they did in 1995.
“She is very patient and tries not to complain, but I understand how she feels. With all these situations, she has not said a word to me. It's hard to say exactly how she's feeling without being in her position, but she may be feeling a mix of emotions: fear, frustration, and perhaps a sense of loss for the opportunities that have been taken away. Many girls and women in similar situations continue to dream of a better future, finding ways to learn and stay connected with their goals, even in the face of extreme adversity.”
Despite the difficulties, Anosha holds onto hope that she may return to school someday. Marjila has registered her sister in an online school, but due to so many others enrolling as well, her sister hasn’t heard back from the school yet.
Marjila hopes one day to be reunited with her family and wants others to find that peace too. She’s also looking forward to getting her green card. In the meantime, she finds solace in her work as a case manager with LSSNCA. A former program participant herself, Marjila takes great joy in being a welcoming face for Afghan families continuing to arrive in the U.S. She helps individuals navigate their new lives and supports their journeys. Your support makes this vital work possible. Help us continue our mission of welcome by donating today.
