Cal Beverly, thecitizen.com
When the Shaymurodov family in Tajikistan learned they had been approved for green cards, they thought they had hit the lottery.
But after arriving in Peachtree City July 15, they discovered they had truly picked the right place to live after after an outpouring of support from the community.
Above, the Shaymurodov family settles into their new home in Peachtree City. Photo/Submitted.
Their story begins several years ago, said Fayetteville’s Alla Patrick.
“A number of year ago, my parents hosted Nasim as a part of an exchange program. Community Connections is a program of USAID through World Learning and is designed to promote public diplomacy through the exchange of cultural ideas and values between participants, U.S. families and local community host organizations.That is how we know their family,” Patrick said. She said he was in college at the time, and her mom teased her calling Nasim her “replacement” and her “new brother”, considering he was just four years older then me,” Patrick said.
After the program, the families kept in touch. The story picks up earlier this year.
“This year, we found out that Nasim and his family have won a lottery for a green card and had six months to move to the U.S. …the offer is only valid for 6 months). My mother and I have been helping them along the way, figuring out the paperwork and looking for a place to live,” Patrick said.
She said as the time to their arrival came closer, she was concerned that they would arrive and would have nothing to even sleep on or new furniture at their new home.
“Over the 4th of July weekend, I was talking to my husband, and we were trying to figure out how many air mattresses we have between us and our relatives/friends, and that’s when we though about posting to Life in the Bubble Facebook page. We thought maybe someone has a spare couch in the garage,” she said.
The response was overwhelming.
“We have now collected all the furniture they will need, as well as bedding, house decor, kitchen appliances, utensils, pots, pens, dishes, etc. in under two weeks,” Patrick said.
They arrived late on July 15 and were overwhelmed at the generosity of the community.
“I’m glad people reacted so wonderfully to this whole thing. We do live in an awesome community! This was definitely an eye-opening experience for all involved,” she added.
The immigrants’ home country is in the Far East, bordering China and Pakistan.
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