Get this Afghan hero and his kids to safety

Who Am I?

 

I am James Seddon, a retired military veteran who served in Afghanistan from 2009-2010 who now lives in Southern California. In Afghanistan, I met many brave Afghans who risked their lives to help in our mission. The Taliban are currently hunting them.

 

Who Are You Helping?

 

 

 

The man, in the picture taken last October above with his family, served U.S. and allied forces loyally for over ten years and is in danger once again. He routinely risked attack "outside the wire" on our behalf. Anyone who helped us was, and still is, a Taliban target. Same goes for their families who the Taliban would seek for revenge or pressure. He served us because he believed in our mission and in a better future for his country and his family.

 

I cannot share his name, or their faces in the photo, because it would assist the Taliban in their hunt. I can vouch that he is a real man who risked everything to help America and to serve his own country. He is married and has five daughters and three sons with the youngest being nine years old. They are unable to go to school and he is unable to work because of the need to be constantly on the move. I fear for the safety of them all.

He was left behind in the chaotic evacuation last fall.

We previously raised funds (https://gofund.me/57a61a45) for him to apply for Humanitarian Parole, a legal pathway to the United States.  That effort was successful and we are awaiting processing of this application.

 

Why Do They Still Need Help?

It is not safe for him to wait in Afghanistan for the processing of his application. The Taliban have already stopped by his home and business looking for him. He escaped with the help of friends.

 

This is a real family, just like yours except in terrible danger. One of his sons was born at the same time I was in Afghanistan. I am in contact with him nearly every day and his situation is dire. 

 

 

 

What Your Support Will Do:

 

I am working this case with the assistance of organizations like the Afghan Evac Coalition. However, they do not cover costs like this. I have, out of my own funds, engaged an immigration attorney and sent him money to cover the purchase of passports and other support. I do not personally have the funds for the next step of their journey to the United States. We need funds to cover the costs of:

 

--Visas for Pakistan.

--Safe transport (to include avoidance of the Taliban) to Pakistan, arranged through Operation North Star.

--Six months of living expenses in Pakistan while awaiting processing of his Humanitarian Parole Application.

 

Funds raised will be withdrawn by me and sent directly to the man for the Visa costs and living expenses, and to Operation North Star for the secure transportation. A similar process to the previous fundraiser (https://gofund.me/57a61a45)

 

Time Is Critical!

This is a race between us and the Taliban. Will we raise the funds to get his family Visas, and then have the funds for the transportation to Pakistan and living expenses? All before the Taliban track him down?

 

Please help. It will honor my service as well as directly help an Afghan hero in need.

 

No Donation Too Small.

Each donation keeps hope alive for this family which is in desperate need of hope.  Donating a single dollar gets him a little bit closer to safety.  That's especially true when you share this fundraiser on your social media and say you care about it.

 

Come With Us.

I will keep this fundraiser updated with our progress. Imagine today how good you will feel if we can succeed and you played a part.

 

(photo: One of the last pictures I took in Afghanistan as I departed)