"I can't express how hopeless I am that I can't do anything for my people"

A Leeds refugee who fled Afghanistan 25 years ago is fundraising for women still in the country

Author: Hannah NorburyPublished 2nd Sep 2021

Bahar escaped Afghanistan 25 years ago and arrived in the UK in early 1997 with one of her brothers.

She sadly lost her mum, 2 brothers and 4 cousins in the same day.

She eventually settled in Leeds.

she said:

"Children will always remember things from their childhood, good memories, bad memories and I've been through trauma, and I tried really, really hard to pass that and move on and have a new life, but I will never ever forget or forgive what happened to me.

"Night time, when everything is finished, I'm relaxed, I start crying and thinking and I can't believe it, it's not easy, it's not easy at all.

"I can't express my feelings, how hopeless I am that I can't do anything for my people."

Bahar founded the Bahar Women's Association in Leeds, which has raised ÂŁ700 so far.

The money has gone directly to 10 families in Afghanistan, Bahar tell us this amount will feed a family for approximately 3-4 weeks, if they have no rent to pay.

"Women have no job, no income, no government and no men to support them.

"I'm really, really worried about those who were left behind like my nieces.

"I have been in that situation before and I know how hard it is, especially for those who aren't working and we have no government at the moment, some of those won't receive wages for 4 months, 5 months."

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