Partner to Support Afghan Families
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Becky Bowman’s Afghan family: Would you and your family like to help with a refugee family from Afghanistan and partner with Becky Bowman, a church member? Becky has been the primary support/mentor for a family of 8 – parents and 6 children ranging from age 7-20 years old for over a year. She knows them very well and what they need. You can contact Becky directly at or call/text her cell phone 615-300-8427. Note from Becky: The family I support/mentor from Afghanistan has made great strides in becoming more self-sufficient over the past 6 months. They moved from Nashville to Murfreesboro a year ago to find more affordable housing. And last month signed a renewal lease for another 12 months. They purchase a van, and the father has his driver’s license. Three of the adults (father and two daughters ages 19 & 20) are working full time with stable incomes and a strong commitment to providing for their family. This also means that they are no longer depending upon government assistance except for health insurance. The household budget is tight and there is not much left over for anything beyond housing, food, and transportation expenses. Much of this year has been spent on learning how to do banking, paying bills, and financial management. The on-going medical needs are significant for a family of 8 from dental to annual physicals, vaccines, and chronic health conditions of the parents. The younger 4 children (ages 16, 12, 7, 6) will be returning to their same schools as last year. They have reliable internet service in their home, and recently purchased new cell phones and their own family plan. The stability of housing, food, income, and the same school has made such a big impact on everyone’s overall wellbeing! Interesting facts: The entire family is fluent in 3 languages other than English! Four of the children are conversational fluent in English. The 7-year-old girl speaks 5 languages and is performing math skills at a 5th grade level. The two older daughters (19 & 20) attended school in Kabul but have not been able to attend school in the U.S. as they had to go to work to support their families. They are both anxious to get their GED and continue their education. The 16-year-old boy is very “fashion aware” of his peer group! He is planning on playing on the school soccer team this year, he will be a junior in high school and hopes to attend MTSU for college. He is diligently studying to pass his driver’s test to get a learner permit. The father had a major heart attack and open-heart surgery in November of 2022. His road to recovery has been steady and he is finally back at work full time. Mom – has also been quite ill this past year and has her hands full raising the 3 youngest children, keeping the household running, etc. Neither parent speak much English but understand it more and more. How can you help? 2. Gift Cards to Walmart, Target to help purchase new school clothes and shoes. Like every family, they would appreciate the opportunity to go and pick out their own clothes – especially at their age! 2. All toiletries – toilet paper, shampoo, soap, sanitary napkins, laundry detergent, dish detergent, toothpaste, etc. These are so expensive and for a family of 8…really needed. Pick up an extra one when you are shopping for yourself. Also, you can Venmo Becky if that is easier, and she will purchase. 3. Gas/oil Gift Card! If you want to help them with transportation, then consider purchasing a gas gift card. Or a Visa/Mastercard gift card that can be used. 4. Tutoring! Reading and doing craft projects. They welcome visitors into their home and Becky would go with you the first time. And enjoy getting a glimpse into another culture! 5. Scholarship funds. The 3 youngest children are enrolled in the after-school program at their elementary school and receive great scholarships but there is still a weekly tuition cost of $7.00/per child. 6. Large wool area rug – preferably in a middle eastern style. With help from other groups, the household is nicely furnished. But the girls really want a rug in their bedroom. Pat Lynch and Linda D’Errico’s Afghan families are doing well. Both dads have cars (and payments), and they have stable employment. The first family has two small children, the second family has a baby and another on the way, they will only be a year apart. Linda and Pat do a lot of driving to doctors’ appointments, for kids and moms, while the dads are at work. We are considering having a baby shower as we get closer to the October due date. |