It’s been a year since the United States withdrew from Afghanistan. A year ago Asma Paigeer was standing outside Kabul International Airport, evading the Taliban and desperately trying to make contact with the American military to save her life. Today she is a student at Virginia Tech studying computer science and advocating for the importance of education in defining freedom.

Fran Racioppi Jumps In with Asma to discuss her escape, her new life in America and what it’s like to be a Hokie now.

America’s job isn’t done and if the last year has shown anything, it’s that the kindness and generosity of the American people will never be defeated. Take a listen to Fran’s conversation with Asma and support her Go Fund Me to pay for her education here.

Learn more about Asma on LinkedIn and on Twitter @asma_paigeer. 

Listen to more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website and check out our video versions of all episodes on YouTube. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. 

Highlights:

-Asma shares the emotional account of evading the Taliban and making contact with US Military forces at the Hamid Karzai International Airport. (3:06)

-Asma’s father served in the Afghan Army, missing much of her childhood to defend their country; something she is incredibly proud of. (4:37)

-Fran asks Asma to describe the situation in Afghanistan today and what she is hearing from her family still there. (6:23)

-The generosity and kindness of the American people has been essential to the integration of the Afghan people into the United States. (10:04)

-Asma now attends college at Virginia Tech where she is studying computer science, looking for an internship and planning her return to lead Afghanistan into the next chapter. (14:40)

-Asma explains how education is the key to freedom and how her victory over the Taliban comes down to her ability to complete her education. (19:00)

Quotes:

 -”It was really rapid the way the government collapsed and the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. It became a shocking reality to all of us. (3:36)

-”They threatened to shoot us. To kill us. They beat our driver to create fear.” (4:11) 

-“It’s more horrible than you can see on the news.” (7:09)

-”No one has the right to speak against the government of the Taliban.” (7:58)

-”When I entered the United States I had only one dress…that I was wearing. I had nothing else with me.” (9:30)

-”It’s such a great thing to save a human being’s life…I’m grateful for all of them.” (14:00)

-”Education is not a privilege. It’s a basic human  right.” (19:55)

-”I just don’t want to survive, I want to live.” (20:53)

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s, 18A Fitness, & Analytix Solutions.