Help a starving Afghan National Army mechanic

Hello,

My name is Jason Paladino. I'm a reporter and investigator. You can find details about me here. I'm doing this not in any professional capacity, but to help a man who has helped me with reporting projects in the past. I can't reveal his name, since he has indications the Taliban is after him and his family, since he worked as a UH-60 mechanic during the US mission. Everything in the following story I have original documentation to support.

FOR GOFUNDME REVIEWER: I can provide you verification information privately. Please get in touch.

For the purposes of this story, I'll call him Sayyid.

Sayyid applied for the Special Immigrant Visa program, which if it was functional, would allow him to leave Afghanistan for the United States with his family. Unfortunately, the US State Department has moved incredibly slowly, putting many former Afghan soldiers, translators and mechanics at risk. Sayyid has been hiding from the Taliban, who have indirectly threatened him and his family. His mother is very sick and needs a back surgery. He hasn't been able to work, and has recently run out of food. His situation is increasingly dire, and without any timeline by the US State Department, Sayyid needs help right away. Sayyid is very resourceful, educated, and has a network of people around him, but has run out of hope. He desperately needs personal assistance, and has had no luck

If funds are raised, I will transfer them using Money Gram, and update this page with receipts, etc. Please consider giving some money. Sayyid is a fluent English speaker and if allowed to move to the US (as they promised him), he would contribute much to society and his community.

Below is a letter submitted on Sayyid's behalf from an American airman who supervised Sayyid. I've removed identifiable information.

[Full text for screen readers -

02-18-2023

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is , a U.S. citizen, and I am writing this letter on behalf of a former

student, He provided faithful and valuable service to the

U.S. Government in his service in the Afghan Air Force and has recently been the subject of

ongoing serious threats because of providing such service to the U.S. Government. I highly

recommend that be granted an SIV or P1 (Whichever is applicable) for

service to the United States Government.

As an airman, has heard that the Taliban may require him to serve in

their armed forces or he will be killed.

From , I was a Technical Inspector Trainer and supervisor for the AAF

and while working for Amentum in Kabul in the country of Afghanistan. In

this position we trained Technical Inspectors and Aircraft Maintainers. was

a Aircraft Maintainer and mentee at HKIA and graduated from the UH-60 Maintenance Training

program on . He stood out among his peers, and his instructors and I remember

him well for his dedication to making Afghanistan a safer place for his family and his dedication

to his studies and his country’s future. I believe that the dedication and focus he shows are

essential for a new Afghanistan and it’s Citizens.

I strongly believe that was committed to our program’s efforts to advance

the objectives of the Aircraft Maintainer Mentorship program and to support the U.S. Mission

in Afghanistan. I know that he would be asset not only to any workplace, but also to any

community or nation in which he might find a safe refuge going forward. Based on my

interactions with and the knowledge shared about him by

American instructors and the Afghan personnel, I absolutely believe that he poses no risk to

the safety or security of the people and the U.S government.

Unfortunately, he was not employed by my company so I cannot get a letter from our HR

stating that he was employed by my company.

I recommend that he be allowed safe refuge in the U.S. or any country that will protect him

and his family. ]]

Please reach out to me if you have any questions about Sayyid. email - [email redacted]

I hope you can find some extra dollars laying around for him and his family. No amount is too small.

Best,

Jason Paladino