Since March 2014, I have trained more than 200 new chauffeurs. I am very proud of this because I find training rewarding. Some have succeeded and some have not.
There are two trainees who stand out to me. They are both war refugees from Afghanistan.
Similarities
Both the trainees I trained were translators for Special Forces with the U.S. Army. Both had a short time to get their families out of Afghanistan when the U.S. military pulled out abruptly, abandoning thousands of others who were left behind and billions of dollars in military equipment.
The Taliban has contracts on both of these gentlemen, so returning to Afghanistan is not an option for them now. Both men hope for the day the Taliban is defeated, so they can return home.
These two men had successful businesses that were thriving in Afghanistan. One owned his own construction business and the other one owned his own car dealership. Both of these men were married through arranged marriages, and both had five children. Their wives don’t speak English, so they could not work. The burden of providing financially for their families rests on their shoulders. They learned English on their own.
Differences
The Afghan Refugee I trained last year eventually moved on to California with his wife and children to work for Tesla. I called him with the other Afghan Refugee and we had a good phone call. In the year he worked for Leros, he was able to support his family and provide a good life for them.
Admiration
I admire these two gentleman for their courage to bring their wives and families to the United States with nothing, to start a new life. They are doing their best to support their families.
The thought of supporting a family of seven on a chauffeur salary is truly amazing. I manage fine for me, but I don’t think I could support six more people on my salary!
Connection
I feel I have a similar personal connection with my two Trainee Refugees. When I was born, I had five siblings. Among them were two brothers who escaped to the United States from Cuba’s Fidel Castro, through the Pedro Pan Program. We were close growing up and we remain close to this day, visiting them now in Miami, Fla.
My Mother lost two children soon after they were born. She always wanted to have six children. One Sunday morning at church, the priest said there were two young boys who were in need of a loving home, so my parents happily welcomed them.
I learned Spanish to be able to speak to them and understand them. They also became fluent in English, because they arrived in 1961 and were reunited with their parents in 1969 when they escaped from Cuba and the grip of communism.
Both of my Cuban brothers have worked hard and been successful. One is the CFO for a Florida University and the other is an international shipping tycoon. Both are self-made successes in their own right.
The moral of this Street Story is: It’s important to help refugees from other countries or anyone who needs a helping hand. They are simply trying to achieve the same thing we are: to provide for their families and loved ones.
