Good Neighbors Capitol Hill

Linda Kotis is a lawyer and writer living on Capitol Hill. In a recent essay, published in The Write Launch, an on-line literary journal, she reflected on the experience of her participation and that of an Afghan refugee tabla player in a benefit concert for Good Neighbors Capitol Hill, given by the Second String Orchestra, a community-based classical music group.

“….SSO performed in a January 2023 benefit concert for Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill. The charity serves refugees, preparing apartments for their families and assisting the adults in finding employment. As of that month, they had set up 98 apartments with donated furniture and other home necessities, as well as providing clothing and personal items to family members. During the concert, a tall Afghan man performed with us, playing a solo on the tabla, a pair of hand drums part of an ancient rhythmic tradition.

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SERVE BOLDLY BLOG

This story was written for the Lutheran Social Services Newsletter by LSSNCA Community Outreach Director, Dana Lea.  It has been shortened and edited for publication on the GNCH website.

Mohammad Wais Formuly arrived in the U.S. during March, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. In Afghanistan, Formuly had been a professor of political science and international relations. Unfortunately, when many refugees and immigrants arrive in the U.S., their degrees and certifications must be verified or recertified to resume the same career field. This is the situation for Formuly and he is exploring education options for achieving his U.S. certification. Formuly agreed to share some of his background because he understands these stories help American supporters better comprehend the circumstances which has forced refugee and immigrants to flee their homes. His family's story may also help develop a deeper compassion in our U.S. communities to more fully  embrace refugees and immigrants.  

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Shahla came to the US with her husband and 5 children as refugees from Afghanistan. After taking a treacherous trip from southern Afghanistan through Pakistan and Iran, they arrived in Turkey and were placed in a Turkish refugee camp. There they waited three years for immigration papers to bring them to the United States. They came to Maryland with the assistance of IRC (International Rescue Committee), at the beginning of Autumn and were given housing in an apartment complex that housed other immigrants and refugees.

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