Pam Varkony is a writer, speaker and woman's advocate who has travelled at least twice to Afghanistan. She has asked if anyone can help a family of refugees find housing. Here's what she has to say.
"The following is one of those "shot in the dark" inquiries...
"As you may know, I've been working with and writing about Afghans who escaped in August of '21. The Balkhi family was stranded in Uzbekistan for a year, finally making it to the US when the father was granted a scholarship by Lehigh U. which entitled him and the family to student visas. They arrived here with nothing. Lehigh provided housing. A group we affectionately call "Team Balkhi" formed around them for support...food, clothing, transportation.
"The father, Rohullah, graduated in May with his MBA. He has a job offer from Vitaulic effective as soon as his asylum claim is approved. The family's Lehigh housing ends Aug 30. They need a three bedroom apartment or house they can afford, nothing fancy. They would like to be in Nazareth or nearby. When Maria told me she met with you, the light went off... Bernie lives in Nazareth and he knows everyone."
"They are lovely people and the kids are very well behaved. If you have any thoughts or leads as to where this family might find housing, I'd be very grateful for the information.
Thank you...
Pam
Pam can be reached at Pam@PamelaVarkony.com.
16 comments:
Wish I had this kind of support growing up here in Allentown. Free education, housing support in the suburbs. It takes most people a lifetime to work for these things, if they ever get there at all.
That said, I’m glad this family is safe and I wish them well.
tell them to go to a realtor like real people do
Bernie, you’re just ASKING for racist and xenophobic commentary on this post.
And by god they’ve started already, smh
9:24, I posted this for two reasons: 1) Pam Varkony reached out to me, and though I know of no housing opportunities, one of my readers. I, of course, sought her permission to share. 2) I thought it would show that the conservative ideology, in which people are supposed to help each other and rely on churches and goodwill instead of the evil government, is flawed. You can see how much many so-called conservatives really care. I do know some conservatives who really do care and are committed, but some people are just miserable.
The only program I know of that might help these folks is a building program by Habitat for Humanity, operating in Forks Tp.
Anon 6:53
What you had growing up in Allentown was safety, freedom, and opportunity...and a free education until you were 18. The head of this family, in the midst of Afghanistan's war and violence, managed to get an undergraduate degree and build his own small business, a business that worked closely with the US and it allies. He was rewarded for this by coming to work one morning to find one of his employees hanging from a lamppost outside his office.
He fled that night with four young children leaving behind his home, company, car, and every dime he had in the bank. He lived in poverty and exile until the people who knew him and had worked with him could put together a plan to bring him and the family to the US. When the collapse of Afghanistan came, he was already into his last MBA semester online with Lehigh U. Their granting of a scholarship to finish his degree is what one would hope for and expect from a great institution...and a great country.
They are asking only for information, not a handout. They need a place to stay when their Lehigh housing expires next month, which by the way, they have rented at the rate any other graduate student would have paid.
We left behind thousands of our Afghan friends and colleagues. This one made it out. Can't we please show him his loyalty was not misplaced.
Great plan. Will the true beacons of what the church stands for please stand up!
*crickets*
The LV conference of churches has a great network that could help quickly. In honesty there’s a ton of options, but I’d start there.
"The LV conference of churches has a great network "
Lol. Are you serious? This is the same outfit that evicted 30 homeless people who sought refuge after the Blizzard of 2016. But they seek donations every 10 seconds.
https://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2016/01/donations-sought-for-allentowns-homeless.html
You'd send cash to a war in Ukraine first. That's what our policy is and you support it. This post is ridiculous, coming from you.
How very sad for you. To be so angry and forget the basis our our country. I don't believe in handouts either but this is a family where he got a degree and will add to our society. We benefit from hardworking individuals. If I had an apt id let them stay for free. God bless them. Glad they are safe
Thank you. There are still good people
What has happened to our country. This family is hardworking and wants to contribute and this is how they are treated. What political affiliation are the people responding negatively?
Reread. The comment is about a warmonger who feigns .... wait for it ... concern for victims of war.
Angry? What a privilege it must be to walk around white in this country knowing that you benefit from the BIGGEST handout of having a world built to benefit YOU, off the backs of slaves and immigrants.
Get off your stupid high horse and understand that this country’s bloody history is nothing to be proud of.
Lehigh Valley has the top REALTOR in both PA and NJ according to WAEB ads. Maybe this award winning company will be able to help find an apt.
Weren't these idiots just pissing and moaning about Biden leaving them behind?
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