Saving Saam

From the Chovanes & Ryken Families:

The threat of death is not one we need to think about very often; however, Saam and his wife are living that reality every day. Saam served as a combat interpreter for the U.S. and has been hiding from the Taliban since they took power in August 2021. Shortly after going into hiding, the Taliban came looking for Saam and killed his father. Saam and his wife fled to Pakistan, but due to many unfortunate events, had to return to Afghanistan where they remain in hiding.

We finally have the chance to bring them to a new home in Brazil, but we need help. Since August 2021, EVAC has been protecting, evacuating, and resettling at-risk Afghans and they need our help to get Saam and his wife out of Afghanistan along an evacuation route called the Brazil Pathway. Saam and his wife can finally begin a new, safe life in Brazil. Team members at EVAC have been in constant contact with Saam since August 2021 and have vetted him thoroughly. I have personally seen and sent videos with Saam in the hopes of lifting his spirits over the last year and a half. The amount of hope they have while facing such a dire situation is incomprehensible.

The blunt truth is that raising this money for the Brazil Pathway is the only option for getting them out of Afghanistan for the foreseeable future due to hold-ups in other countries. However, this opportunity is only available if Saam and his wife are fully funded by March 15, 2023. The cost is $20,000 ($10,000 each, see cost breakdown table below). It feels like we could make this happen and we would be very literally saving two lives. Any amount is helpful and any extra money raised will go to the other families that EVAC will evacuate along the Brazil Pathway.