Stranded in Iran: Afghan family with ties to Wyoming living on terror

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — After decades of tumultuous but noteworthy progress in the Middle Eastern nation of Afghanistan, citizens were living meaningful and engaged lives. Attending school, pursuing careers, enjoying sports and music—these were all elements of everyday life for the Amiri* family. Late last summer, when the Taliban again seized control of the country, everything changed.

The Amiri family, comprised of S and his wife, six children, and two of his children’s spouses, found themselves in the Taliban’s crosshairs. As doctors, women and young people studying and pursuing medical and legal careers, outspoken activists, and critics of the Taliban’s oppressive regime, they went into hiding immediately. Thanks to the compassion of strangers across the globe, they escaped across the border to Iran. Though they’re safe for the moment, living as refugees, time is running out.

With no other options, enduring mounting fear for his family’s safety, S sent an email. Across the world, in Jackson Hole, Candra Day opened her inbox. And in that moment, a tiny flame of hope flickered to life.

Day, who is the president of nonprofit Vista360° in Jackson, Wyoming, had met S in 2016. Part of the organization’s mission is to facilitate connections among horse-loving cultures from the American West and the Middle East. At the World Nomad Games, he proudly represented the Afghan team in Buzkashi, a traditional game played on horseback, and served as the Director of the National Traditional Sports and Buzkashi Federation of Afghanistan.

“When S wrote to me, he begged me to help his family escape Afghanistan. He had no other contacts, but knew he had to do something to protect his loved ones,” Day recalls. “I told him I had no idea how I would help, but I would absolutely try.”

She quickly understood why his fear was justified. His wife, a surgeon of 35 years and assistant professor of medicine, as well as a lifelong advocate for women’s education, had three colleagues kidnapped, one of whom was killed. Two other members of the family are doctors, and three are in medical school, and the active violence against medical professionals is escalating. “The youngest is a 16-year old girl,” says Day. “She can’t even safely attend high school anymore. Doctors are under threat all over the country. All of their lives have been completely disrupted, and they were in extreme danger.”

Day went to work immediately, and thanks to the generosity of more than fifty people, the Amiri family was able to escape into Iran after four months of false starts and dead ends. Her efforts came to fruition not a moment too soon; the family was enduring Taliban interrogations just days before they managed to flee.

Though their escape to Iran was successful, it was just the first small step on a long, uncertain journey. “The Iranian visas that the Amiri family has will expire at the end of February—that’s practically days away. Afghan passports are not accepted in many countries around the world, and like most refugees, their ability to earn income is practically zero. Some of them are literally trained to save lives and care for other people, and without a stable home in an accepting nation, they can’t do that,” continues Day.

“The Jackson Hole community is one of the most caring and generous groups that I have ever known. Lending a hand to those who need it most, caring for the vulnerable—it’s a core piece of our identity. I know that we can come together and save this family,” says Day. “Their futures, their very lives depend on the kindness of others in this moment. And who knows how many more lives they’ll go on to save?”

Vista360° has created the Afghan Friendship Fund with 100% of the proceeds dedicated to supporting the Amiri family. “With just $12,000, we can ensure that they all have a plane ticket to the next safe place. We’re doing all we can to navigate the maze of visas, border control, and other logistics, but none of that will matter if they can’t board a plane. I’m deeply confident that we can achieve this life-saving amount for them.”

* The family’s name has been changed to protect their identity for fear of retribution.