Reflections

Flying kites of hope: A call to action from an Afghan American Medical Student

Jessica Saifee

My name is Jessica Farangaiz Saifee. I am a third-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and I’m the daughter of an Afghan refugee. My family fled Afghanistan when the Soviet Union first invaded in the 1980s. First, I have to say that I represent one voice of the many displaced children of Afghanistan.

My medical school advisor once told me that grief is the loss of an imagined future. Over the last two months, we have witnessed that loss. Twenty years of progress shattered in 10 days. The future of Afghan women and children unknown. My motherland sent into a state of panic. Sights of my people clutching onto planes to escape the Taliban. We also witnessed how the nations of the world closed their eyes to the situation and left us abandoned. My people have felt grief as we watched our beloved family members relive their trauma. Growing up, I heard stories from my family members recounting the trauma, but I also fondly remember the stories of the motherland. My father would often tell me stories about flying kites or picking pomegranates from the trees. He would recite poems for me at a moment’s notice, sharing pieces of our culture. I could only experience these fragments of my culture with my family in the United States. Living here while my heart was in Afghanistan. A deep longing to step foot on the motherland.

Now, all we can do is sign petitions. Protest. Scream. Donate. Tell people to pay attention to what is happening. We feel helpless. Look up the word “diaspora.” That is who we are. As children of the diaspora, we feel survivor’s guilt. This could have happened to us. I am a medical student because of my family’s sacrifices. I am safe. I have the privilege of studying medicine and advocating for my community. During my third year, I have had the honor of caring for immigrants and refugees at the Denver Health Refugee Clinic. I am humbled that I can participate in their care. Soon, when I graduate, I will take an oath to serve and protect people, to support and empower those who are vulnerable and to do no harm. I ask that everyone, from my fellow medical students to world leaders, stand with me now to do no harm and to help the Afghan people.

When I need a light, a reason for hope, I remember what many Afghans were told as children: We were never a defeated people. ■

Jessica Saifee is a third-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She graduated from Wellesley College in 2016 with a degree in Neuroscience and South Asian studies. She is currently in the global health track at her medical school, where she focuses her interests and research on refugee health.