WSU partners with community to aid Afghan refugees

Resettling in Pullman with just a few clothes and one rug, an Afghan family needed help and a coordinated community effort stepped up to supply the family's needs.

Office of International Programs International Student and Scholar Services Director Kate Hellmann tapped her contacts at an interfaith council of about seven churches to help coordinate donations when the family arrived in June. Hellmann, who also sits on the interfaith council, provided the list of necessary items and asked the faith leaders to have their congregants donate.

It is the third Afghan refugee family the WSU community has helped resettle following the U.S. military withdrawal in 2021 and the re-emergence of Taliban control. That number is expected to climb as the university, with help from a new $47,000 private grant, looks to expand its efforts.

When the U.S. withdrew from the war in Afghanistan many Afghans were left with few options and the potential for violent retribution from the Taliban, particularly for those who may have assisted U.S. projects, including university exchange programs.

Simpson United Methodist Church Pastor Danielle Estelle Ramsay said the outpouring of donations came in swiftly. Shortly after putting forward the list of items congregants provided a surplus of what was needed. Estelle Ramsay said they ended up forwarding some of the donations to other causes.

"It was a real community effort," she said. "People are really good at stepping up."

Diana Whitney, founder of the Intersectional Advocacy Coalition, a grassroots agency that advocates for marginalized groups, aided in coordinating donations to the Afghan families. The first family that resettled early this year needed assistance, fast. While the refugee family's apartment came with furniture, other amenities such as toothbrushes and toys were lacking.

"I have a lot of respect for area congregations because they jump up and go," Whitney said.

Personal hygiene items, toys, books, pens, cooking items, and ingredients for Afghan cooking, all flooded in.

"The only downside was the community was too generous," Whitney said, jokingly. "We ended up with five sets of pans."

The collaboration between the community, WSU, and other advocates helped address the refugees' immediate needs and set them up to succeed. After traveling so far and fleeing such strife, Pullman offered a respite.

"Everyone was just kind and generous, helping the next person in line," Whitney said. "Everyone did their part, and it was a pleasure to work with all of them and WSU."

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