From new arrival to helping others find their way

Photograph by Martha Rial

What a difference a few months can make!

It’s been less than half a year since Zubair Babakarkhail, his wife Fatima, and their three lovely children arrived in America following their harrowing escape from Afghanistan.

However since then, Zubair and his family have been thriving.

The kids are in school and improving their English by leaps and bounds. Fatima is also adjusting quite well to a life far different from their village on the outskirts of the Afghan capital.

As for Zubair, he’s embarked on a non-stop, whirlwind of news experiences that includes many milestone “firsts” in his adopted homeland.

To start, he already has a job and it’s a perfect fit: Zubair is aiding others who fled persecution to adjust to their new lives in America and works as a cultural navigator for a nonprofit organization.

Zubair not only helps them with the logistical challenges of starting a new life, finding a place to live, schools for the little one, etc., but he also lends them an empathetic ear, as so many have experiences with unrest and violence at home similar to his own.

When he’s not helping others, Zubair continues to practice his favorite trade: journalism.

He’s written several articles for Postindustrial Media, starting with his arrival in the United States and continuing to document his and others Afghans’ experiences.

His work and stories haven’t garnered quite a bit of attention — Zubair has already made a couple of TV appearances on Newsy, where he spoke of his experiences in Afghanistan and expertly discussed the current state of Afghanistan.

On the homefront, there’s also big news, namely, that he and the family found a home!

They live in a lovely apartment located in a fantastic part of Pittsburgh, where the kids play at nearby parks and are within walking distance of school. Their landlord is a friend and neighbor, too, supporting the family enthusiastically in their journey.

Not that they have to walk since Zubair has already managed to get his driver’s license and a sweet new car, a Honda Odyssey, that was gifted to him.

He’s excited to hit the open road and take the family on their first American road trip.

Though before they do, they’ll have to wait until perhaps later summer because Zubair’s wife Fatima is expecting a baby and she’s due very soon.

We’re excited to soon welcome another Babakarkhail in this world and can’t wait to see what fresh new adventures are in store for the whole family!