The Yaqoobi family came from the city of Bamyar in Afghanistan. Sharif, the father, worked for the previous government and with the Taliban taking power, his life was put in danger and his family began to be persecuted. Masooma, the mother, was a teacher, and with the new government she not only lost her job, but witnessed the loss of thousands of girls and women’s right to study.
Like many other Afghans, they then fled to Iran where they requested a humanitarian visa to come to Brazil. In addition to the difficult situation of having to abandon their country and all their possessions to survive, they also need medical treatment for Amir, the family’s eldest son who has leukemia. Leukemia is a type of bone marrow cancer that requires long and complex treatment. They hope to get it in Brazil through the SUS (Brazil’s public health system), and then see little Amir grow up and make his dreams come true.
When we asked what their first impression of Brazil was, the Yaqoobi family had nothing but praise. We know that Brazil still has a lot to improve, but the warm welcome that the Brazilian people give to everyone who visits us is something that always stands out for those who arrive here not having any idea of what they will find when they set foot on Brazilian soil.
The Yaqoobi family has already started learning Portuguese and they now want to build a life here, giving back some of the kindness they received from Brazilians upon their arrival.
