Stability and Opportunity in St. Louis: The Main Reason Behind Haidar Ali Akbari’s Relocation
When I reflect on my life before 2021, I remember stability, purpose, and hope for the future. I worked at Rahnaward University in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province, a vibrant financial hub in northern Afghanistan, serving in the Student Affairs Department. Prior to that, I had the privilege of working with the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), contributing to the vision of a more secure and prosperous Afghanistan.
Like many Afghans, everything changed in August 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the country. Overnight, life as we knew it vanished. I left Afghanistan with my family, first to Qatar, then Germany, and eventually arrived at a refugee camp in Indiana, USA. It was the beginning of a long, uncertain journey.
Over the next two years, I moved across several states, trying to find a place where my family could feel safe, settled, and hopeful again. We lived in New Hampshire, where the harsh winter made life especially difficult. We stayed in hotels, with host families, and even with friends as we searched for stability. Eventually, we relocated to Oregon and then California, seeking better opportunities and a stronger community. While I found some work, first in a smoke shop, then in a dealership, I struggled to envision a long-term future there. California’s high cost of living made it nearly impossible to plan for homeownership or meaningful stability.
Everything began to change when I learned about the Afghan Support Program run by the International Institute of St. Louis.
The program offers relocation assistance to Afghan refugees, helping families like mine move to the greater St. Louis area, where living is more affordable, support systems are in place, and opportunities for rebuilding lives are real.
The decision to move to St. Louis was a turning point. Through the program, I received the guidance and support needed to make the transition smooth and secure. One of the most immediate benefits was affordability. I was able to rent a clean, spacious apartment for just $1,250 – a fraction of what I was paying in Sacramento. Everyday expenses like gas, insurance, and groceries are significantly lower, making it easier to support my family.
More importantly, the support program connected me with resources I could never have accessed alone. My daughters now have free school bus transportation, easing one of our biggest concerns. I found work quickly with a friend at a dealership, and I’m already planning to launch my own business through an LLC. The Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant, also administered by the International Institute of St. Louis, offers an incredible opportunity to turn my dream into a reality. With that support, I hope to start my own Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) service – an industry I trained for by investing $15,000 in professional development.
This journey hasn’t been easy. It’s taken resilience, sacrifice, and the courage to start over multiple times. But thanks to the Afghan Support Program, I finally feel like I’m in a place where I can grow roots, give back to my community, and build a future, not just for myself, but for my children.