Our family’s involvement with Solace for the Children (“Solace”) did not end with Sahar’s departure last summer. The Jacksonville branch of Solace formed a board of directors, on which Sara and I both are serving, and Sara is also serving as coordinator for Jacksonville’s 2011 Solace Summer Hosting Program. And currently, our family is hosting Ashrafullah, a summer 2010 program participant who recently returned to Jacksonville for orthopedic surgery on his leg. Solace has the summer program though which we hosted Sahar, and then there is the “extended” program, for children whose needs simply cannot be met through the six-week summer time frame. Thus, Ashrafullah is here in Jacksonville again, but this time through the extended program. “Ashraf”, as we call him, arrived two weeks ago today, along with his interpreter, Abed. Ashraf is 13 years old, and is an incredibly kind, gentle, easy-going, and well-mannered young man – he comes from a family of 11 children (he says he is number six). His first night at our house, Ashraf showed us pictures of his family and their home in Afghanistan – for me, this was just fascinating. The landscape and houses are so markedly different from America – I have to wonder if Ashraf is on sensory overload here in Florida. His family’s home has some electricity service, but no running water – they get their water from a pump outside. Children in the extended program have the option of attending school, and Ashraf was anxious to do this. So, he is now in the 7th grade at our neighborhood school, DuPont Middle, in their ESOL program – thus far, he loves it. Now, for Abed, the interpreter – this guy has a personality that lights up a room, and just doesn’t quit – ever. Abed is 18, fluent in English (obviously, since he’s the interpreter), and is almost finished with high school in Afghanistan. We plan to enroll Abed in one of our neighborhood high schools soon, as he is also anxious to continue his education. Abed is currently staying with Dorothy (that’s my mother-in-law, for those who don’t know), which is just a half mile away from our house. Our children have quickly warmed up to both Ashraf and Abed – it’s as if they’ve both been part of our family for quite some time. Abed is just incredible with children, in general – we’re hoping he will be here through the summer, working with Jacksonville’s summer hosting program, through which a new group of 16 Afghan children will be arriving in early June.
Ashraf has his first appointment, since returning to Jacksonville, with his orthopedic physician on Monday – so, we hope to learn soon about when his surgery will occur, how the recovery will be, etc.
Participating in this program involves a multitude of special moments – some hilarious, some challenging, and some just absolutely touching. I had one of those touching moments last weekend, when I took Ashraf to get his hair cut, along with me, at the neighborhood barber shop. The young barber who cut Ashraf’s hair was so honored to be doing it, and was just fascinated by Ashraf’s story. As we were getting ready to leave, I saw the young barber in the corner, scribbling away on some paper – he was writing a note for Ashraf, for Abed to read and translate later. He handed me the note, and I read it once we got into the car. I sat there in the barber shop parking lot with tears in my eyes – the note spoke of how much the barber admired Ashraf’s courage, and how he would be praying for him, and couldn’t wait to see him again after his surgery. Yes, I’m a big softie – always have been, always will be.
Okay, that’s enough for the first post – look for more posts soon.
Bryan
Ashraf & Abed visiting Jacksonville University
