“Sam from Afghanistan"

"I Feel Lucky That I Am Even Here"

 

In October 2021, Sam arrived in the UK, having journeyed through Qatar, Germany, and America. His story begins in Afghanistan, where he served in the army of the previous regime for a decade. The Taliban's sudden takeover on August 15, 2021, left him with no choice but to flee. Many of his comrades never had the chance to escape; "I feel lucky that I am even here” he reflects.

 

Sam’s childhood was marked by displacement and uncertainty. During the Taliban's first reign, his family moved between Pakistan, Tajikistan, and other places to evade persecution. Life became more stable after 2001, and by 2010, Sam had joined the army.

 

His connection to the UK began in 2017, when he trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and worked alongside British forces; this association would eventually secure his passage to safety. Upon arriving in the UK, Sam felt lost, noting that “whatever I had studied was not useful in this new country”. Applying for jobs proved difficult without European or British experience, but he managed to find work after five months, through a few of his friends.

 

Sam deeply misses his homeland, his family, and the life he left behind. He dreams of building a better future but struggles with the high cost of qualifications necessary to advance his career. Despite these challenges, he remains grateful for the help he has received, which has eased his transition into British life. Yet, like many refugees, his heart remains tethered to the mountains and people of his homeland.