SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Newly refugees often don’t have the support they need after resettlement, but one family is helping to improve this issue. The Tajik family, refugees from Afghanistan, know exactly what the new refugees are going through. The Tajiks are serving both the Syracuse community and the Afghan refugees through their family dishes. Tamana Tajik, the second eldest daughter, came up with the idea to use the proceeds from selling cooked meals to go towards financially supporting the new arrivals,
The deep inspiration behind this mission comes from Tajik’s father. Tajik’s parents escaped Afghanistan in the late ’90s to Pakistan where she was born. Her family moved to Iran, then Romania before settling in Syracuse in 2016. Tajik’s father couldn’t make the trip with the family at the time and returned to Afghanistan. Nonetheless, their father was restless.
Remembering a conversation Tajik had with her father, he said, “I decide to stay here and fight for my people because people are not good condition here,” said Tajik.
Their father was killed in a Taliban attack on April 11.
“His concern was that he wish he could bring all his people to a safe place, that they can leave, they can have their freedom, their education, especially the women and the child,” said Tajik.
In efforts to resettle Afghan refugees, The US House of Representatives approved a bill in September with over $6 billion, according to a press release from the House Committee on Appropriations. After the first three months of
Lutheran Chaplain, Pastor Gail, says non-profits usually don’t have enough funds to support refugees at the level they need.
“It’s wonderful that our country is offering hospitality but the funding for a family coming here only lasts for three months,” said Riina.
Consistent support for refugees is a question to be answered, and the Tajik family has a few solutions.
“The first thing they need is to get connected to their Afghan community here…They went through a lot and they deserve to be welcomed here,” said Tajik.
Plans are being set in motion to help fundraise for the incoming refugees. Tajik is collaborating with Syracuse University and Upstate students, as well as members of Salt City Market to fundraise materials for this community. The items range from clothes to food and even monetary donations.
As an ongoing service, Soniya Tajik, the eldest daughter and master chef, plans to open her own restaurant to use a part of her proceeds towards helping people in Afghanistan. A family of service and gratitude has come full circle.
