Hasina's story
There is an expression in Afghanistan which translates literally as ‘they have my shoulder’ – in English it’s probably ‘they have my back’. This is how Hasina Safi describes Elmbridge CAN. “They really have been a light of hope; they are bringing fuel back to my engine.”
​Meeting Hasina Safi, today it is clear that she was quite a driving force in Kabul before the Taliban seized power in 2021.
Virtually all of Hasina’s career has been spent promoting the abilities and role of women. Four years ago, she worked at government level as Minister of Women Affairs.
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August 15th 2021, the day the Taliban seized Kabul, is cemented in Hasina’s and many Afghans’ memories. Things moved very quickly as she realised that their promise of respecting women’s rights would be instantly and completely ignored. It was clear that within a few days there was a directive to assassinate Hasina. Whomever she stayed with was put in extreme danger.
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Hasina reluctantly knew she and the family had to leave the country to survive, but it was not an easy decision. She had 10 family members to consider including her two disabled children. “I was not scared for myself, I was worried. Scared for my children. It’s very tough to be a mother, very tough. Only those who have children will understand.”
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The situation at Kabul airport during late August 2021 has taken its place in history.
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Many international news agencies were there to document the mass of humanity trying to escape, even in some cases attempting to cling on to aircraft as they taxied before take-off. Equally tragic scenes were unfolding just outside the perimeter gates. This is where Hasina and her family were instructed to go. The British FCO and the UN had sent her a pass with strict instructions not to tell anyone. At this point in her account Hasina’s voice drops to a whisper as she fights back tears.
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‘It was terrible, terrible. You would see people with their passports saying ‘I have worked with you’ – but there were no human rights. None. People and children were lying on the ground.” During that time she still did not know if they would all make it.
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Suddenly a US soldier saw her phone light up in orange thanks to a special code sent from the UK. They were inside the perimeter gates and safe.
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Eventually, the family arrived in the UK and was taken to a hotel in Thames Ditton alongside other refugees.
Hasina remembers ElmbridgeCAN being there to help from day one, identifying everyone’s needs. She remembers the moment she met Jeannie Tweedie very clearly. “I talked with her, I cried with her and that was the time that I really saw that Jeannie was a person who could understand women in conflict.” Those were difficult days.
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There was another incident that Hasina recalls with a smile. Her son Hamzah was invited to play football with other refugee teenagers. Because of her high-level position back in Afghanistan, Hasina’s children were isolated for security reasons and not allowed out unaccompanied. Their mother had already survived two attempts on her life, so sending her son out into the dark Thursday evening in winter was not an option. However, Elmbridge CAN convinced her that not only would it be safe, but it would also be a step forward in everyone’s recovery. Hasina now accepts just how important it was for everyone that her son joined in.
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There were classes on offer organised by Elmbridge CAN: English, embroidery and computer lessons. Four years on and Hasina’s mother-in-law is still enjoying the sewing machine presented by Elmbridge CAN, openly admitting that the sewing which she loved back home, has supported her in her recovery from the trauma.
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The family finally settled in Walton-on-Thames. “That was the time that Elmbridge CAN really shouldered me. They looked after me personally, and they gave me a hand. They provided a volunteer for my elder daughter who has a brain injury. And also, for my younger daughter who is autistic and has DiGeorge syndrome.” This is a condition which means (amongst other disabilities) she has difficulties walking. Elmbridge CAN provided a volunteer to take her for walks, so that Hasina (as she puts it) is “released” for a while from worrying about her. Then there were the maths and chemistry lessons for son Hamsah.
It is clear that Hasina is a very strong woman who has spent nearly all her life helping others. And when she needed help, Elmbridge CAN was there for her.
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“I don’t have the words to thank Elmbridge CAN for the patience, the understanding, the solidarity, the love and the care that they have provided, not only for me and my family, but for the whole refugee group that was in the hotel.”