Hi, I'm Michael Ecker and I am reaching out to you with an UPDATE on Sami, a 24 year-old political refugee fluent in English, from Afghanistan. His dream is to become a US citizen, and with your help, he can begin this journey. As of October 3rd, 34 LFEBridge donors have contributed more than $4,000 to cover the cost of Sami's Commercial Driving License. Every penny raised has gone to Sami. Since the fundraiser started in August, Sami has: Passed his CDL. He got hired as a long-haul truck driver in September and he is working 10 hours a day, six days a week. He has already logged more than 10,000 miles and traveled through 20 states! He has begun sending money home to his wife so she can put food on the table for herself and her two children in Kabul until she is able to leave Afghanistan. Thanks to Catholic Charities, Sami has obtained health insurance and food stamps. Sami expects to be granted Asylum within the next 4-6 months and then obtain a Green Card. Sami is saving every dollar he earns to save to bring his wife and two children to the United States. This is an expensive and complicated process. No donation is too small. Please give what you can. I will continue to provide regular updates on Sami’s progress to all who contribute to his future. Thanks so much. Here's what the original post from August. I’m not using Sami's full name or including his photo to protect his identity. As a volunteer for Rivertown for Refugees (Hastings, NY) I’ve gotten to know Sami quite well n 2024. He is a very bright, motivated man, extremely grateful to be alive and given the gift to live a free life in America, paying taxes, and to become a productive and compassionate citizen.. Sami risked his life to defend his country against the Taliban with support from the US military. Sami has been staying with his Aunt, Uncle, and seven cousins in a 2 bedroom apartment in Westchester County, NY. • Sami attended the very competitive Afghanistan Air Force Academy in Kabul in 2016 as a Cadet. • In 2017, he completed Ground School Helicopter Training, was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in 2018 and promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 2024. • In 2024, Sami was assigned to the Helicopter Rotary Wing Training Academy in Slovakia, where the United States Department of Defense provided him with full helicopter ground simulator training. Sami then logged 100 hours of flight training on the MD530 (pictured in this photo) and Schweizer helicopters. • Unfortunately, when the US left Afghanistan and the Taliban gained control of that war-torn country, Sami’s military training ended. • He was then evacuated to the United States, and he is in the process of applying for asylum. His parents and all four siblings remain in hiding in Afghanistan. • Sami is fluent in English, Persian, Arabic, and Pashto. • He hopes to obtain temporary housing assistance soon from Catholic Charities in the next month, and he anticipates becoming financially independent by the end of 2024. • Sami’s long term goal is to go to flight school and become a commercial airline pilot for a US airline. Your donation will be used by Sami to start a new life in America as he works for his Green Card and American citizenship. Your contribution will help: • Pay for his CDL at a cost of $2,600, which he expects to obtain by the end of August. He has already paid for and completed his CDL permit, with $2,000 in savings that he earned in a number of security agent jobs here. Once Sami gets his CDL in August, he will drive 18-wheel trucks from coast to coast. As you probably know, long-haul truck drivers are in short supply. He will work hard, make a good salary, and pay taxes. • Buy a second hand car, and pay for car insurance essential for him as he builds a new life here. Without a car, he cannot get to work. • Pay for his wife and three-year old daughter to join him in New York. He has not seen them since he left Afghanistan in 2024. • Provide money for food and incidentals until he can save up to rent his own apartment.
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