Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Inside a house in the Fern Creek neighborhood, traditional Afghani tea and black pine nuts are served amid the sounds of children playing. Within the home of the Qambari family — Mohammad, Najiba, and their six children — there are no couches or recliners. The interior is decorated in a traditional Afghan style with cushions on the floor.

The family, originally from central Afghanistan, said that the United States “feels like our home, our own country,” even though they moved to Kentucky only three years ago.

Many Louisvillians might recall the influx of Afghan parolees who moved to the city in late 2021. This followed the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan as the Taliban rapidly regained power over Kabul that August.

Families like the Qambaris arrived through the Afghan Placement and Assistance program of the U.S. Department of State. Between September 2021 and February 2022, Catholic Charities of Louisville’s Migration and Refugee Services helped 180 Afghans resettle in Louisville by assisting with school registrations, job placements, and access to benefits, according to Alison Voit, assistant director of Migration and Refugee Services at Catholic Charities.

The Qambari family expressed gratitude towards Catholic Charities of Louisville and its Common Earth Gardens program. This spring, Common Earth Gardens offered a three-month educational farm business training program in which the family participated.

“We didn’t miss any” of the classes," said Mohammad Qambari.

Thirty-four individuals took part in this program — its highest participation to date. Many participants, such as the Qambari family, are experienced farmers but new to Kentucky. They previously farmed in their native countries and wish to continue farming in the United States, said Amelia Baylon, garden programs manager at Common Earth Gardens.

Common Earth Gardens provides land access by offering garden plots at community gardens along with farming tools to get started. Jane Evans, program director of Common Earth Gardens, noted that while land and pests differ in Kentucky compared to other regions, resources are available to help farmers adapt to local conditions.

Evans highlighted that their program teaches about Kentucky’s seasons, common pests, natural pesticide options, and popular crops among customers. The program also offers interpreters for families like the Qambaris who speak Dari.

Late this summer, the family began growing leeks, tomatoes, radishes, green onions, basil, and corn. The Qambari children also learn farming skills from their parents on weekends with hopes of expanding next year.

“Next year we will have more experience,” Mohammad Qambari said. “A lot of things are different.”

Baylon emphasized that one significant success of Common Earth Gardens is fostering relationships among farmers who often share similar cultural backgrounds or languages. Through this program, Mohammad met six other individuals from Afghanistan; his family now regularly gathers with over a dozen other Afghan families for food and traditional music involving instruments like dombra and doyra.

Despite differences in religion (some Christian some Muslim), provincial origins within Afghanistan or holiday celebrations – sharing language brings these families together according to Mohammad Qambari's observation.

With high aspirations for future generations' education including college graduation hopes expressed by Mohammad; meanwhile resettlement efforts continue albeit slower than before underlines Voit's reminder about ongoing needs akin those faced during initial wave back 2021 urging public support via volunteering through Migration & Refugee Services Office contactable at 636-9263 ahead World Day Migrants Refugees Sept29 celebration

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