According to Sherzad, this decision by lawmakers saved his life.
“The U.S. congress decided to rescue the lives of Afghan and Iraqi interpreters,” he said.
Because of his work with the United States, Sherzad said his life became increasingly difficult and dangerous in Afghanistan, and that he had received threats from those opposed to the United States.
“I was trying to hide my service for the forces,” he said. “As much as you try, you can not hide it, people will finally recognize what you do.
While security was his first reason for leaving his homeland, Sherzad also expressed a need for a better life for his family as a second.
Sherzad had earned a medical degree from the University of Kabul, but because of a poor economy in Afghanistan, was unable to practice his craft and provide for his family.
“After graduation, unfortunately, the government could not do anything for me to become employed somewhere and serve my people and my family in a good way,” he said. “To be a doctor in a society but not be able to support your family, that was frustrating.”
With his dream of becoming a doctor destroyed, Sherzad knew the only way he could provide a future for his children was to escape the confines of Afghanistan.
“If they stayed there, they would be in a school system that was corrupt and unorganized,” he said. “They could study and graduate from any field at the university, but they would have no destiny, same as their father. No future.”
So, when the United States government provided him with the opportunity to move his family, Sherzad quickly e-mailed his friend and former colleague Forsythe, who did not hesitate to offer his assistance.
Then, he made the move and never looked back.
In January, Sherzad and his family moved in with Forsythe and his wife, and have slowly begun adopting to their new existence.
“Since we came from the airport and were welcomed by the Forsythes, they helped us adjust to the environment, traditions, and culture,” Sherzad said. “Their home was a very good place for us to get familiar with the things we were required.
“We were well taken care of, in a way that we had never experienced in the past.”
Now the Sherzads have moved into their own home, and the two oldest children plan on starting school this summer.
Sherzad said his wife is also adjusting well, and enjoys the conveniences that stores like Wal-Mart offer.
“It's not like we have in Afghanistan,” he said. “There she would shop at many different places to get different things, but here we can find everything starting with vegetables to a pillow - all the requirements for the house.”
Sherzad himself now works at the Ovid Bell Press, but plans on beginning the work to start practicing medicine in the next year.
“I'm optimistic that I will not have the troubles I had in Afghanistan, and I will not be mentally under pressure that I have lost my profession,” he said. “Here I am very happy that at some point I will be able to get it back.”
Five years ago Sherzad was helping Forsythe learn the ins and outs of Afghanistan, now, sitting in his new home, drinking lemonade and playing with his children, he acknowledged that his new life would not be possible without the help of Forsythe.
“My wife and kids would be in trouble if Dr. Forsythe didn't help,” he said. “They happily helped me with that, and I am proud of them and I appreciate them with each step in this process.”
