2025 - Q4

In 2025 Bridge Builders has prioritized giving a voice to women in Idaho Falls who have been silenced by the Taliban, and helping them further their education here. This story is from a 23 year old who came from Afghanistan to join her husband in Idaho Falls almost two years. (He was a helicopter pilot fighting as an ally with the US Air Force, but today’s story is about her, not him.) We use pseudonyms to protect privacy; she has chosen the name Begum.  If you meet her the first thing you will notice is that she is holding her  beautiful, healthy baby girl. Then you will notice that her husband is kind and attentive. When she speaks it is with almost flawless English and lively intelligence. Here is her story in her own words, with minor editing for clarity.

Begum’s story:

I grew up in a small village in central Afghanistan with limited opportunities, where most of the people were illiterate. Many of our struggles were simply caused by illiteracy. My family encouraged me to try hard, and study. I started school at age six, one year earlier than is typical. Our school was located in a different village which required a two hour walk each morning and evening. It was a lot for a six-year-old girl. Walking a long way was not the only problem. There was not a school building or even a shelter to protect us from being under the sunlight in the summer or from winds and rain in the fall while studying. Sitting under the hot sun and focusing on white paper books caused the pupils in our eyes to contract so much, if we looked up, we could not see clearly. 

Later, local people made small rooms from mud and stone. We were in twelve different grades and there were just five rooms, and there was still no roof over our heads. The first photo is of that school from when I was a little girl.

We didn’t have access to a computer, projector, printer, or any simple technology. We didn’t know how to use computers and some of us didn’t know what a computer was. We had to use our imagination. For example, in biology, learning about microbes, since we didn’t have a microscope to see them, we imagined their shapes.

 In 2018, an NGO called Jesuit Worldwide Learning started a program in a neighboring village. Their priority was teaching English and computer skills, especially to girls. We were so happy! But the distance between our village school and the English course was more than three miles. Our school started at eight in the morning and ended at 12:30. The English course started at 1:00 PM. We covered the distance by running. We  often missed breakfast and lunch. We were just young kids! But none of these problems could stop me or make me give up on my goals. 

As we overcame many difficulties, we became stronger and made bigger dreams. I stayed confident and motivated to be educated. In Afghanistan, we have the Konkur examination which is our national college entry exam. Those who passed this exam with an exceptional mark could have access to higher education for free. I took the exam in 2020 and accepted a scholarship to Bamyan University.  I was scheduled to start in 2021. However, the Taliban came and ruined all my dreams,  like those of so many other girls in Afghanistan. They closed all educational places for girls over sixth grade. It was such a hard time for me. In just the blink of an eye, all my dreams seemed ruined, but I didn’t lose my hope!

Now that I am in Idaho Falls, I have educational opportunities. I am pursuing a nursing degree at the College of Eastern Idaho.  Now I think that none of my dedication and hard work was wasted. The first time when I attended college here and saw how students have access to every kind of educational support, it made me remember my own school. There are too many differences to even begin to describe.  I am happy now that at least I can be a representative  of all the Afghan girls.

The second photo is the school that was built near Begum’s village with support from an NGO. 

What can we do? 

• When you meet someone with a refugee background, ask about their story, and if they have photos from their home country. Long term friendships here are key to integration, language ability, and  mental health. Your interest helps build those friendships.

• Don’t forget about reminding our elected leaders to do the right thing and help reunite the families who are still separated. It is bewildering that the US has resettled our Afghan military allies, almost all men, then prevented their wives and children from joining them. Families who fought alongside our military, followed every rule, and committed no crimes have been separated for more than four years. There are two of these men in Idaho Falls and thousands more across the US. 

Senator Mike Crapo

208-522-9779

Email Me | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo

410 Memorial Dr., Suite 204, Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Senator James Risch

208-523-5541

E-mail - James E Risch, U.S. Senator for Idaho

901 Pier View Drive, Suite 202A, Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Representative Mike Simpson

208-523-6701

Contact | U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson - 2nd District of Idaho

1075 S Utah Avenue West #240, Idaho Falls, ID 83402

After you contact our elected officials you may get form letters on a barely relevant topic, such as problems at our southern border. Don’t give up! If you keep at it you are likely to connect with a staffer who will listen and understand that the issue is family reunification for legal refugees.

The Hope House

When we started Bridge Builders four years ago, one of our first key supporters was Jim Werner, who arranged for the first three Afghan men to stay at the St John Lutheran Hope House, rent free for one year. Now, the Hope House needs a new furnace, which will cost around $7k.  If you would like to make a donation to help pay for the furnace, you can donate to St John Lutheran with a note that says Hope House furnace, or to Bridge Builders with a similar note. For more info contact me or Jim Werner.

Conclusion

Idaho Falls Bridge Builders is a local nonprofit whose mission is to assist legal refugees who choose to resettle in the Idaho Falls area.