Dear friends,
This past week has shaken us deeply—and reminded us once again how fragile safety is for the Afghan women and families we are supporting.
🚨 Regional escalation: missile strikes near our families
Following a devastating terrorist attack in Kashmir in late April that claimed 26 lives, missiles were launched from India into Pakistan. One of them struck a school in Rawalpindi—just blocks away from several of the families in our group.
Since then, all air traffic in and out of Pakistan has been rerouted or suspended. This is deeply worrying for those waiting for interviews at the Brazilian embassy, who hope to leave the country as soon as they are approved.
⚠️ Daily pressures: fear, evictions, and illness
Life in Pakistan is becoming increasingly unlivable for our group:
- Families are being evicted, unable to pay rent or find new landlords due to discriminatory policies.
- Many are sick from malnutrition, trauma, and stress, with little or no access to medical care.
- Last week, we held a stress and trauma session, and a gifted doctor within our group has already prevented two hospitalizations—which could have led to arrests, as undocumented refugees are at risk even in hospitals.
- The mental health toll of confinement, poverty, and uncertainty is intensifying.
And the most heartbreaking update: One of our families has been deported back to Afghanistan. They are now in hiding, under constant threat from the Taliban. We are doing all we can to support them from a distance, but they urgently need help and protection. Their story is a stark reminder of why we are doing this work—and how high the stakes are.
✅ Progress: one family sponsored and key barriers removed
Despite these challenges, we also have reasons to hope:
- Our first family has been fully sponsored—thanks to the generosity of a woman and her friends in Germany. She is now walking alongside them on their path to safety in Brazil.
- The Afghan embassy in Tajikistan is issuing criminal record clearances, a crucial requirement.
- We’ve connected with visa brokers helping our group members get valid Pakistani visas and entry/exit stamps, avoiding the cost and complexity of formal exit permits (which can cost $850 per person).
We’re slowly clearing the bureaucratic roadblocks. Now, the main barrier is funding.
✨ Sponsor a family—and change their future
We now offer potential sponsors anonymized family profiles, including a silhouetted image and a short summary. Once interest is expressed, we share a secure case file.
To sponsor a family of five, we need approximately $35,000 USD, covering:
- Visa (exit) fees
- Flights
- Temporary housing
- Basic needs and social support for one year in Brazil
If you—or your company, community, or network—can fully or partially sponsor a family, we would love to hear from you. Sponsors may, if they wish, stay in touch with the family and accompany them on their journey.
Write to us at:
📧 sendlove [at] heartwork [dot] earth
Or donate directly:
👉 https://heartwork.earth/peacework/
Every family sponsored, every donation, every signature keeps the flame of hope alive.
Let’s get them to safety—before it’s too late.
With deep gratitude and fierce resolve,
Nadja & Team
#ProtectAfghanWomen #NoDeportations #AdoptAFamily #SaveAfghanWomen #RefugeeRights