When the Afghan government collapsed in August 2021, Kareem was working as an admin and finance officer in the Ministry of the Interior. He had built a life for his family, earned a bachelor's in business administration, and firmly believed in the future of his country. But when the Taliban encircled the capital and provinces began falling, everything unraveled in days. The plan for a peaceful handover dissolved into chaos. High-ranking officials were evacuated by air; however, ordinary citizens, like Kareem, were left to flee however they could.

 

Denied access to evacuation flights, Kareem and his family crossed the border into Pakistan. For months, they sought help from international embassies, knocking on every possible door, but received no support. Eventually, after a long and uncertain wait, they made it to the UK in 2025.

 

Arriving just three months ago, Kareem describes the experience as overwhelming but also as being filled with gratitude. “When I came here, my family had to start from zero,” he says.

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Language barriers, cultural differences, and the strain of restarting their lives weighed heavily.

 

But a fortunate introduction to SRS, through a council worker named Helen, changed

everything. From practical support to language classes for his wife, SRS played a key role in helping them build a more stable life. A trip to central London, visiting Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge, remains one of his most cherished memories.

 

Now, Kareem is rebuilding: preparing his CV, searching for work, and dreaming of pursuing a master’s degree. Though he misses his family and culture deeply, he’s determined to contribute to his new society with hope and resilience.