Afsana is a teacher from Afghanistan who has learned through her life experiences how to find hope amid displacement and uncertainty. In 2021, Afsana’s husband had to flee Afghanistan to escape persecution, leaving behind his wife, son, and daughter who was just 20 days old. The family had no idea how long they would be apart.

Afsana remembers the lonely uncertainty of those days – and the drive to keep moving forward for the sake of her children. Thankfully, through a lot of waiting and anxiety over whether they would be accepted or not, the family was reunited in Idaho over three years later.

Afsana is once again doing work she loves as a family literacy coordinator at a local language school where she started out as a student. She encourages other immigrants to remember their strength as they learn to live life in a totally different country and system.

“Please stop comparing yourself with those people that have been a long time here," she shares. "Everybody has their own journey, and you are stronger than you’re feeling.” Note: We are using Afsana's first name only out of an abundance of caution for her loved ones.

00:00 Welcome to Mosaics

00:31 Afsana’s Teaching Roots

02:32 Life Upended in 2021

07:25 Reunited at the Airport

11:32 Starting Over in Idaho

17:45 Encouragement for Immigrant Women

21:13 Staying Positive Through Hardship

27:56 Friendship and Culture Shifts

31:58 New Joys in Boise

We’re excited to welcome back Sadia Abdulkadir to Mosaics! Sadia spoke with us in 2023 as a social work undergrad, and since then she’s earned her master’s degree and is now working as a licensed social worker. Many of her clients, like herself, have experienced refugee resettlement firsthand.

Sadia shares about listening in the moment, working with interpreters, staying grounded, and approaching her work with curiosity, humility, and humanity.

People who have been forced to leave their home and resettle in another country may face messages that they are not worthy to be here or it’s not their place to pursue higher education, Sadia says. She encourages anyone feeling this way: you are worthy of pursuing a fulfilling life, and you’re not alone on this journey.

We discuss the recent changes to SNAP and Medicaid that are causing many refugees around the country to lose coverage. For help connecting with resources, please contact us at iorinfo@idahorefugees.org.

Boise foodies Palina Louangketh and Adan Callsen joined Mosaics to share about their love for cooking, rooted in family traditions, and how they share the joy with others.

Palina, executive director of the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora, is hosting a Lao Culinary Experience at the Idaho Foodbank's Meridian kitchen on Nov. 11, in partnership with the Idaho Office for Refugees. The event is free and open to all ages.

Adan Callsen is founder of Under the Table, a community dinner group, and manager of the West Bench Farmers Market in Boise. Check out the market before the final day of the season on Sept. 24 at Spaulding Ranch.
This episode was recorded live at Radio Boise on Sept. 9 and published by SB Studios.