Nora’s Path: Finding Purpose in the U.S.

By Nora

I grew up in Afghanistan living a life that felt steady and meaningful. I was involved in the Scouts, where I became a leader and worked with children between the ages of seven and ten. Teaching them gave me a sense of purpose. I liked being someone they trusted. I liked having responsibility and knowing that what I did mattered, even in small ways.

I spent my days with my family. We ate together, talked, and visited relatives. I miss all of these things now, being so far away from them. Being surrounded by people who knew me and cared for me made life feel complete. I didn’t need much more than that.

Everything shifted when the Taliban took over.

The world I knew became smaller almost overnight. What used to feel normal suddenly felt dangerous. For girls especially, the rules tightened quickly. Education became restricted. Movement became limited. The freedom I had grown up with disappeared, and fear took its place. I was constantly aware of what I could no longer do, where I could no longer go, and how carefully I had to exist.

Escaping Afghanistan was not a single moment. It was long, exhausting, and filled with uncertainty. The process was stressful and emotionally heavy. I left behind my family, my routines, and my whole life. Even when I knew leaving was necessary, it didn’t make it easier. It felt like stepping into the unknown without knowing what would be waiting for me on the other side.

When I arrived in the United States, everything felt unfamiliar. The language, the systems, the expectations — all of it was new. At the same time, it felt like a chance to begin again. Starting over was overwhelming, but it also gave me space to imagine a different future.

Now, I am studying nursing.

School has been challenging, but it is going well. I work hard because I know what this opportunity represents. Nursing feels right to me. I have always wanted to help people, and this path allows me to do that. Every class, every exam, and every long study session feels connected to the life I am trying to build.

Sometimes I think about the girl I was in Afghanistan — teaching children, spending time with family, feeling safe in routines I didn’t realize I would one day lose. That part of me is still here. She is the reason I keep going, even when things are difficult.

My story is not only about loss or hardship. It is about resilience, learning, and choosing to move forward when circumstances try to stop you. I carry my past with me, but I am focused on my future. I am building something new, step by step, and I am proud of how far I have come.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of donors like you.

Your support gives our students the chance to step back into a classroom, step into a lab, and step into their futures.

If you want to help more students like me reclaim their education and chase their dreams, please consider donating today. 

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