Ms. Husna, a 26-year-old young woman from Afghanistan, was always a dreamer. Born into a family that valued education and believed in the power of knowledge, she was destined to achieve great things. Growing up in Afghanistan, a country scarred by war and violence, Ms. Husna’s dreams were nurtured by the warmth of her supportive family. She always had a deep desire to help others, particularly those who struggled with health issues. Inspired by her experiences watching sick people at her family-owned pharmacy, Ms. Husna dreamed of becoming a pharmacy technician. She was determined to pursue this path, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

In 2019, after completing her secondary education with excellent grades, Ms. Husna began taking active steps toward her dream. She started a clinical skills training program with Grade A, which helped her land a pharmacy internship in a clinic. Her determination and hard work paid off when she was offered a job as a Pharmacy Assistant at the ALEM Health Center in Afghanistan. As she gained more experience, Ms. Husna also began volunteering at community events to promote the role of pharmacists in healthcare. She was proud of how far she had come, and with every step, she felt closer to her dream of becoming a pharmacy technician.

Just as Ms. Husna began to see her dreams take flight, disaster struck. In September 2021, the Taliban took control of Kabul, plunging Afghanistan back into a nightmare. The oppressive regime rapidly stripped women of their rights, imposing cruel and heartless restrictions. Ms. Husna was no longer allowed to work, study, or even leave her home without a male guardian. Her aspirations were crushed, her future uncertain. It was as though everything she had worked for was taken from her in an instant.

The following year was one of hopelessness for Ms. Husna. Trapped in her home, her dreams suffocated under the weight of cruelty. Yet in the midst of this despair, God had a different plan. After months of struggle, Ms. Husna and her family managed to escape Afghanistan, leaving behind the country that had stolen their future. With a heavy heart and nothing but a bag of clothes, she set foot on the soil of a new land—the United States—hoping that here, in a country of opportunities, she might rebuild the life she had lost.

However, life in the United States was far from easy. Ms. Husna arrived with nothing but her dreams and a determination to survive. She spent a year waiting for legal documentation that would allow her to work. During this time, she struggled to adapt to a new culture, language, and way of life. To help her family make ends meet, she took a job at a warehouse, loading heavy boxes. Every day felt like a step further away from her dreams of becoming a pharmacy technician. The work drained her, and she could not see how her dreams could ever be realized.

It was during this time of uncertainty that a spark of hope appeared in Ms. Husna’s life. A friend introduced her to our organization (ISC), one of a few in the area dedicated to helping refugees like Ms. Husna rebuild their lives. Our Afghan team saw potential in her and immediately began to help. They created a professional resume tailored to her skills and aspirations. They worked tirelessly, submitting her resume to nearly 40 pharmacies and clinical centers in the region, following up daily with respective HR managers.

One day in April 2024, Ms. Husna received the call she had been waiting for. A pharmacy, GDD Pharmacy, wanted to interview her. Tears of joy filled Ms. Husna’s eyes as she came to our office to share the exciting news. Our staff, ever supportive, immediately jumped into action. They helped her prepare for the interview, focusing on technical and mathematical questions related to pharmacy work. For two and a half weeks, they worked with her, reinforcing her knowledge and boosting her confidence.

On the day of the interview, the team waited anxiously for Ms. Husna’s return. When she finally arrived, her face was alight with joy. She had done it—she had secured the job of her dreams as a Pharmacy Assistant. The room erupted with cheers as Ms. Husna hugged her success team, tears streaming down her face. The journey that had begun in the dark days of Kabul had led her to a new beginning in the United States.

Still, Ms. Husna’s success did not stop there. The team continued to guide her, helping her enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). Ms. Husna knew that mastering English was essential for her career, and with the Afghan team’s support, she took her education to the next level. The team also provided interpretation services during her work training, helping her learn the pharmacy terminology and inventory system. She worked diligently, determined to excel in her new role and enhance her skills.

Ms. Husna’s hard work paid off once again. She was promoted from Pharmacy Assistant to Pharmacy Specialist, a remarkable achievement that made her and her family incredibly proud. Her journey, which had once seemed impossible, was now filled with success and promise. She is now preparing to further her career in the medical field.

In a heartfelt letter to ISC and our Afghan team, Ms. Husna expressed her gratitude in her native language:

“I sincerely thank ISC for helping me reach my goal and giving me hope for my future. You have guided me toward the path I had always wished for, and I will continue to serve my community with the professionalism you have helped me develop. I promise that I will help other girls who start from zero in this country, just as ISC helped me through my darkest times and brought light into my life and the lives of my family.”

Now, Ms. Husna is not only living her dream but also helping her siblings achieve their own goals. She has become a beacon of hope for others, showing them that no matter how many obstacles life may throw at you, with determination, faith, and the right support, you can rise above and achieve your dreams.

Ms. Husna’s story is evidence of the power of resilience, the strength of hope, and the incredible impact of organizations like ours. From a young woman in a war-torn country to a professional Pharmacy Specialist in the land of opportunity, Ms. Husna has proven that no dream is too big, and no obstacle is too great when you have the courage to keep going. Her journey is not just her own—it is a reminder to every young woman with a dream that there is a chance to rise above the darkness and reach the light.