The Taliban killed their mother and father and upended their lives. Why they are saying they’re among the many ‘fortunate’ ones

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A handful of medals grasp from the wall at Saira Ahmadi’s Toronto-area condo. Tutorial awards and faculty paintings are on proud show in the lounge. 

For Ahmadi and her six siblings, these mementos imply greater than good grades and championship video games — they’re proof of arduous work and a renewed sense of hope. 

That is as a result of final December, after six years of being aside, Ahmadi lastly reunited along with her six siblings, after their mom was killed by the Taliban in 2009 and their father met the identical destiny in 2018. Their 4 uncles and Ahmadi’s husband had been killed as properly.

“We’re completely happy to be collectively,” stated Ahmadi. “There isn’t a extra separation. We’re one household, all of us care about one another.”

Ahmadi was already dwelling in Canada in the course of the assaults. Following the dying of their mother and father, her siblings, who now vary in age from 13 to 19 years advised, managed to flee to Tajikistan — however had been alone and with out sources.

After a lot fundraising and much more paperwork, Ahmadi reunited along with her siblings in Canada final 12 months. They’ve spent nearly every single day collectively since. 

“The perfect half is we’re protected, we now have peace in Canada and rights. We have now entry to all our fundamental requirements,” stated Ahmadi. 

Saira Ahmadi, proper, seen ready for her six siblings to reach in Canada final 12 months. Ahmadi is seen with Obed Ben Rod, left, with the Afghan Church of the GTA and Anne Woolger, center, the founding director of Matthew Home, a shelter for refugee claimants. (Grant Linton/CBC)

‘New life, new nation’

One of many largest changes the siblings have remodeled the previous 12 months is studying a brand new language whereas going again to highschool. The final time they sat in a category room was three years in the past. 

“Once I got here, I did not know methods to say, ‘Can I’m going to the washroom?’ It was very arduous for me,” stated the youngest of the siblings, 13-year-old Joshua Mohammadi, his brothers laughing and nodding in settlement.

Regardless of that, every sibling is discovering their very own path in Canada, exploring the probabilities of their potential.

“I’m a captain of Greenwood’s soccer crew,” stated 17-year-old Ali Mohammadi, a smile beaming throughout his face.

Mohammadi proudly recalled how Greenwood Secondary Faculty’s soccer coach requested him quite a few occasions to hitch the crew. He lastly gave in and for the primary time in 20 years, the varsity received the championship sport.

Fahim, Murtaza, Joshua and Ali Mohammadi, from left to proper, with their soccer medals. (Meg Roberts/CBC)

As Ali spoke, one of many boys pleaded with 19-year-old Mursal Mohammed to get out her pocket book to point out off a few of her drawings. 

Mursal is quieter than her brothers. However with a smile on her face, she flipped to a web page with a drawing of a lady sitting with two youngsters, one baby beneath every arm. Above it, she wrote: “I really like you mother. I’ll miss you.” 

Regardless of the security, safety and optimism the youngsters have felt over the previous 12 months, it hasn’t been straightforward.

“It’s arduous as a result of new life, new nation,” stated Mursal. 

Making progress 

Melancholy and nervousness is one thing the oldest sister, Ahmadi worries about in her siblings. 

“They’d nightmares within the first two weeks,” she stated. “It was not straightforward for them.”

Ahmadi stated the household is working by means of the trauma they’ve endured. However little by little, she believes they’re making progress. 

“Now I can see on their faces how they’re completely happy, how they get shiny, filled with happiness on their face.”

Mursal Mohammadi shares one in all her favorite drawings. (Meg Roberts/CBC)

Mursal remains to be within the strategy of finishing highschool, a chance she is aware of she wouldn’t get again in Afghanistan. Because the Taliban took over, ladies in Grade 7 and above haven’t been allowed to attend faculty.

As soon as she is completed, she want to develop into a nurse. 

“I’m eager about my future, it is extremely good,” stated Mursal.

‘We have now one another’

In the meantime, Ahmadi is presently finding out to be a social service employee at Centennial School whereas working as a resettlement counsellor for different Afghan households. 

It is a becoming place after painstakingly getting her six siblings to Canada.

Ahmadi can also be engaged on sponsoring two of her sisters-in-law with the assistance of some neighborhood members. She is hoping they too will probably be in Canada within the subsequent two months. 

Since Ahmad’s sibling arrived a 12 months in the past, she has additionally been engaged on getting her sisters-in-law to Canada. (Meg Roberts/CBC)

Her concern now could be discovering a strategy to match extra folks round their eating room desk. There’s barely sufficient room with the seven of them.

That does not hassle Joshua, the youngest, who will get probably the most quantity of phrases in on the desk.

“I believe I’m fortunate with an enormous household,” he stated, grinning as he appears round. “We’re serving to one another, we’re form to one another. We have now one another.” 

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