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When Kazim Abdullahi is asked where he is from, his reply is, “Rich culture and traditions, hospitality, beautiful landscapes, strong community and family bonds, unique cuisine, strong and hardworking people.” The poetic description of his country and community come before any geographical names.
Kazim grew up during a peaceful time in Afghanistan, where he remembers happy people and a strong community. Around the age of 10, he recalls a dramatic shift to a harsh and aggressive culture when the Taliban came into power.
Kazim’s Commitment: Providing for His Family in the Face of Afghanistan’s Challenges
As the oldest son of a large family, the responsibility to help support his family financially fell on his shoulders. Most full-time jobs that he could work paid the equivalent of 60 U.S. dollars a month – barely enough to meet his family’s basic needs.
After the 9/11 attacks, as U.S. forces expanded their presence in Afghanistan, Kazim came across an opportunity to work as an interpreter for the American military. The pay – $425 per month – was solid. While Kazim and his family had always managed to live with stability, this new role offered them something more: a chance to build a better, more secure future. It meant they could save, plan, and enjoy a life with fewer uncertainties.
But the job came with a serious risk.
Working alongside American forces wasn’t something you could talk about openly. If the Taliban found out, it could cost Kazim his life. The threat of being targeted, kidnapped, or punished for working with non-Muslims was always there. Only his immediate family knew. To stay under the radar, he worked the night shift from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. and kept a low profile.
When asked if he was afraid, Kazim didn’t hesitate.
“When you are really thirsty,” he said, “you don’t care how the water comes. Whether it’s in a clean glass or a dirty one, whether you have to kneel to drink it- you need the water.”
Then he explained:
“At that time, it wasn’t just about income. It was about doing something meaningful, something that gave you purpose, even if it came with risks. Opportunities like that didn’t come often, and you had to weigh them carefully. Most days, you just prayed you’d get home safely, all in one piece at the end of your shift.”
Despite the demands of the interpreter role, Kazim didn’t stop there. He held a full-time job during the day and also taught martial arts for a few hours, several days a week. He often went 48 hours without sleep, but he stayed committed. That’s just the kind of person he is, disciplined, driven, and unwilling to waste a single opportunity.
A Personal Story of Courage and Change from the SIV Program
After serving five years with the U.S. Army, Kazim became eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa. The process was long – encompassing background checks, interviews, and paperwork that took over two years – but he stayed the course. Because he wasn’t just surviving. He was building something more substantial for himself and for those he loved.
Kazim had been married for a year and a half when he found out he had been accepted for the SIV. He called his wife at work while she was teaching and told her, “Sit on a chair, I have something to tell you…” When she heard that they had a scheduled interview to get their visas, she burst into laughter, tears, and heartfelt thanks to God. It was a dream come true.
When Kazim and his wife arrived in Spokane, a volunteer from World Relief met them at the airport and took them to another volunteer’s home in Idaho. Kazim said, “When we first met the Nielsen family, they were complete strangers. But they didn’t see us as strangers. They opened their doors with warm smiles, offered us hot tea, and gave us something more precious – love and trust – without hesitation.
They have three beautiful daughters, and a mother and father whose kindness feels like a rare gift in this world – so gentle, so true. In a time when everything around us felt uncertain and cold, they became our light, our safe place.
Kazim’s Community in America: A New Beginning That Endures
It’s been more than twelve years since that first moment. And even now, I don’t see them as just the family who helped us. I see them as my own family. The kind of family that stands by you, that loves without condition, and holds your hand when life feels unbearable.
I am proud of them, grateful for them, and every day, I carry their kindness in my heart – because their love saved me when I needed it most.”
Kazim remembers, “The family met us with smiles on their faces, trying to give us the feeling that we were not alone. It was amazing!”
Kazim and his wife have now been in the U.S. for twelve years. Throughout their journey, along with his Idaho family, it was his wife’s love, faith, and encouragement that kept him going when things felt tough. She believed in him even when he doubted himself, and because of her, Kazim found the courage to go back to school and study cybersecurity.
Today he works full-time while pursuing his master’s degree. But his dreams go even further. He wants to earn his PhD so he can become a teacher and give back to others.
“A special thank you to World Relief and everyone who has helped me and continues to help others build a better life here in Spokane.”
-Kazim