Meet Amel

Amel was born in  Khost, Afghanistan, close to the Pakistan border. He spent his childhood with his seven brothers and two sisters, playing soccer and sharing meals at home with family. When asked about his favorite childhood memory, he simply said, "My mother." He studied subjects like geography and biology, before working as a truck driver for the American military for 12 years. 

When the U.S. left Afghanistan in 2021, many local allies were resettled because they feared Taliban retaliation. Amel arrived in New Jersey that year and stayed for five months. He moved to Rhode Island for two years before heading off to Texas, where he lived until 2024. Amel found work at Tyson Foods and enjoyed his time in the Southwest, where the weather is warm, and there is a large Afghan community. But he eventually returned to Rhode Island, where he has a caseworker working to bring his wife and children to the United States.  

Amel is a fast and curious learner, always asking questions. Recently, he wanted to learn more about multicookers so he can experiment with recipes at home. After graduation, he plans to get a job at a local bakery. Even though Amel doesn’t love cold weather, he says he is “happy to be here where I can do normal things like go to work, get a good night's sleep, and live a peaceful life.”