
Inspiritus, Birmingham’s local refugee resettlement organization, has been active in Birmingham for three years now and has settled 326 refugees in our area. For most of the first year, the new arrivals were from Afghanistan but now they are from all over the world. The Akbary family fled Afghanistan on August 24, 2021, and arrived in Birmingham in January of 2022. They were welcomed by Inspiritus and a care team of South Highlanders. This care team relationship has evolved over the years as the family has settled into life in Homewood. We are less task-oriented, now it’s about friendship and family. The Akbarys were granted asylum in August 2023 and have recently submitted their applications for permanent residency (green cards). SHPC generosity funded these applications and the special medical evaluations required. We anticipate a 1-2 year delay in processing of these applications but Step One is complete.

The Akbary sons, Arman and Omid, are thriving in kindergarten and 2nd grade at Hall-Kent Elementary School in west Homewood. Arman was very ready for kindergarten after a year in pre-kindergarten at Trinity United Methodist Church made possible by some SHPC friends. Omid has glasses now and is becoming a reader. Both boys help their mom with English language skills. Back-to-school clothes and shoes were provided by the Presbyterian Women Circles. It’s a rare treat to have new things.

Nasir and Gul Bakht work hard to assimilate into life in Alabama. Gul Bakht’s English has improved and her goal is to pass the written test for a drivers license. The weekly English classes at Trinity West are a lifeline. Linda Butler, Melinda Harden and Joey Miller continue their strong commitment to that program. Gul Bakht now works at H&M at the Galleria and Nasir works for Door Dash. They experience the same issues all low income Americans do but they persevere.
How is it that you might help this family and other refugees coming to our area?
- PRAY
- Donate: Clothing and large household furnishings are collected and dispensed through the Trinity West Outpost. Money can go to SHPC refugee outreach, the Trinity West Outpost, Inspiritus, or other local programs. Good used cars are still needed by many of our newcomers.
- Consider: You can create a care team for an arriving family. What a great project for Sunday School classes or small groups. New friends are arriving every week.
- Advocate: Pay attention and learn about government regulations that make things difficult for our new friends. (*see below)
On behalf of the Akbary family, let me express great appreciation and gratitude for the ongoing care and support they receive from SHPC. Please contact me with any suggestions or questions about this outreach ministry.
In love,
Laura Chapman
*My latest soapbox — Alabama requires a valid passport from the home country of all non-citizens as a form of ID to get a learner’s permit or drivers license. Some of our Afghan friends have just now attained a proficiency in English sufficient to take the written test but their passports have expired. No renewing of an Afghan passport now! So, what if the state would recognize the valid IDs and legality of these refugees and drop this requirement for a passport? Or, allow the written test to be taken in Dari, the language of most of the Afghanis? If you like a good tussle with the state, have at it!







