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The two year marker has passed since February 7, 2022 when our young Afghan family of three arrived at Central to live in the chapel. We marked this date with a small pizza party with the family.
Our family, now of four, continues to adjust to living in Newburyport. Their English is improving everyday and we are always amazed when we can actually have a conversation. Trish Robinson of Central continues to work with the mom specifically on learning English. We hope to have more lessons with both of them over the summer with more teachers.
December 2023 the father started a new job in the housekeeping department at Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport working 3-11pm. He drives himself there with the used car that he was able to purchase with donations and money saved.
The family continues to live in an apartment in Newburyport with the money from the Afghan fund helping with part of the rent. It is handy for them to be able to walk or drive for groceries and doctors.
We hope that the 3 1/2 year old son will be able to do two days of preschool in the fall of 2024. The 1 1/2 year old son is being followed by Early Intervention. Both boys are very active and love to be outside running or going to the playground with volunteers. They also regularly go to various libraries with volunteers. They are funny and inquisitive. They are also learning English and understand a lot more than they can say.
The mom attends a weekly Women’s support group at St Paul’s church with other area Afghan women led by a local social worker. She also attends a weekly sewing group of Afghan women called the Afghan Women’s Workshop (AWW) sponsored by NAAM (New American Association of Massachusetts) based in Lynn. The women work to create crafts to sell at local fairs and bazaars. This gives them an opportunity to earn money for their families. They will have a booth at the Summer farmer’s Market in Newburyport.
Our family have their Green Cards and the mom is hoping to get her learner’s permit and license in the next year.
Our family is very, very grateful and appreciate of ALL of the support their Central Church family has given them over the last 2 years with money donations, baby equipment, gift cards, furniture, clothes and so much more. So much has changed for them in this short time.. As they continue to settle here in Newburyport, we will continue to support them in many ways to ensure their success, so look for more ways to volunteer with them. We are always looking for help transporting the mom and boys, child care and help learning English.
During the last year The Resettlement Partnership (TRP) has formed a board with representatives from all the churches that brought Afghans to Newburyport (St Paul’s, FRSUU, West Newbury Congregational and Central Congregational). There are also other community volunteers and housing experts on the board. Stuart Johnson is the board representative for Central Church. As of 5/1/24 all of the families have been relocated to housing other than the churches which is good news. TRP is in the process of becoming a 501C3 in order to raise funds to create more permanent housing for forcibly displaced persons including the five local Afghan families. Look for more information in the future about TRP.
In Peace,
Sarah Seamans, Kelly Palma and Sue Bajko
(also known as the Three Mothers)
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