Help my interpreter make it to a US Embassy
Donation protected
My interpreter and I worked and lived together in Kandahar. And I trusted him then, as I do now, unequivocally. I felt I could really sense him as a person and understand his character. I like him and want to help him. It's that simple.
Once he made the decision that enough is enough, that it's time to leave Afghanistan and pursue a safer life in America, I told him I would help. We've been working for over 2 years now, chatting multiple times a week, to get him through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Application process with the US State Department's National Visa Center.
We're raising these funds in order to help support him, his wife, and two young kids as they travel to Islamabad, Pakistan to reach the nearest United States Embassy. He's received the official COM Approval for his SIV and now must simply conduct the interviews with the State Department. Unfortunately, with the closing of the Embassy in Kabul 2 years ago, he must travel to the Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.
These funds are well-estimated, projecting his travel costs to each location and stay, and account for the various transfer fees. They also include 5 months of rent, utilities, and food in Islamabad. Unfortunately, the hardest part is that we do not know exactly when the inteviews will occur, but he has accommodations made to extend his visa in Pakistan if necessary.
My interpreter helped keep me and my unit stay safe when deployed, and has recently survived a suicide bombing where friends were killed in a mosque, literally beside him. He is not safe, he has already moved his family within Afghanistan. I will not name him, and I will do my best to not leak identifying information. If you have any questions please contact me directly and I'll make determinations for additional details on a case by case basis.
I am not good at asking anything of anyone, but this is worth it. Thank you!
**GoFundMe is requesting that I include these specifics before I attempt to aid in Afghanistan (which, I wholly understand and do not oppose):
- Who are you and where are you from: Justin Haug; Tucson, AZ
- What is my relationship to the party I'm raising funds for: my interpreter was hired by a US contractor and assigned directly to my unit in the US Army. He worked with and lived with me and my unit (both on and off base) for nearly a year in a major city in Afghanistan. We relied on him to translate written text, verbal communications, and provide local knowledge that directly impacted the mission and greater intent of "hearts and minds".
- What is my plan to send the funds to the intended recipients, and their names: "Ronaldo" is my interpreter's name and how we all addressed him. I will not divulge his real name to anyone not familiar with his case number provided by the National Visa Center. We've identified three means of electronic transfer: Western Union, Zelle, and PayPal.
- How will the funds be spent (be as specific as possible): I will do my best with providing details without compromising their safety. There will be 3 travel stops, including the border stop, before reaching Islamabad, the final destination. Funds directly pay for the travel, food, and stays during travel. Remaining funds are exclusively paid out as needed for monthly rent, utilities, and food, for up to 5 months. The rental is fully furnished to deliberately retain flexibility.
Organizer
Justin Haug
Organizer
Tucson, AZ