Afghan family, backed by Ashfield support, settling into new home

ASHFIELD — The Afghan refugees who have been sponsored by an Ashfield resident are settling into their new home in Red Hook, New York.

Carter J. Carter of Ashfield, who is sponsoring the Ahmadi family’s move to the U.S., picked up the family from Boston’s Logan International Airport on May 5, according to a press release from St. John’s Episcopal Church and First Congregational Church, both in Ashfield.

“The family is very snug in their new home,” Carter wrote in an email to the churches after the family arrived. “They were very taken aback (in a good way) by what a nice house it is, and the giant flat lawn for soccer is a huge bonus. They are right in the center of the village and can walk to the diner, toy store, pizza place, CVS, etc.”

Carter previously explained that after hearing about other colleagues sponsoring families after the fall of Kabul last year, he wanted to do the same. In search of some community help, he approached the two Ashfield churches and asked if they would form a “Circle of Care” to help him and the family.

“Dr. Carter has continued to invite us to collaborate with him,” said the Rev. Vicki Ix, vicar at St. John’s Episcopal Church. “His leadership and direction have made it possible for us to be effective supporters of Jafar and Zeinab and their three children.”

Donations to support the family can be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 253, Ashfield, MA 01330. In the memo line, write “For the Ahmadi family.”

“It is an absolutely extraordinary thing that all of our combined efforts led to these three kids playing soccer in a backyard in the Hudson Valley instead of getting shot at by the Taliban,” Carter wrote in his email. “Talk about a small group of committed individuals changing the world, at least for one family.”