When the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021, those who could, tried to reach the airport and flee the country on the first evacuation flight available.
N. is a well-educated woman, she used to work in the international field and, at that time, she was about to give birth to a daughter. Had they remained in Afghanistan, their survival would have been at risk.
N., together with her sister and her family, tried to make it through the checkpoints separating them from the airport and from safety. But the checkpoints were multiple and the Taliban guards were inflexible. They had no choice but to go back home. N. was scared and the baby in her womb hadn't moved for a whole day. She was so shocked that, at first, she lacked the courage to make a new escape attempt the following day. NOVE managed to get her examined by a doctor who reassured her about the baby’s health. N. finally took courage and decided to go all the way. On the next morning, N. and her family tried again. This time, they took a secondary road without running into Taliban checkpoints, finally getting to the airport.
N. and her family landed in Fiumicino on August 22 2021. Ten days later, N. gave birth to M.
That could have been the beginning of a happy ending, but fate was unkind to N. once again. Two days after giving birth, the baby started feeling very sick, and she was urgently admitted to the hospital. In a few days, the doctors deliver the diagnosis: M. is suffering from a severe liver disease and the only way to save her is to attempt a transplant. Bambino Gesù Hospital took on the baby’s care and is currently providing treatment and supporting the mother as well.
With time, N.’s family found its place in Rome, despite the many hardships they have been through. Eventually, N.’s husband managed to escape Afghanistan as well and he is now reunited with his family.
N. started learning Italian with excellent results, even though caring for her child takes up much of her time. She enrolled at university and is planning to engage in activism in Italy as well. She wants to give a voice to those women who weren’t as lucky as her.
In the meantime, the baby is growing up. She's currently 1 year and a half and she still hasn't found a compatible liver. She must undergo physiotherapy and attend regular check-up appointments at the hospital. Sometimes they call her urgently to the hospital when they think they finally found a suitable donor.
Through the Comunità in Crescita project, NOVE is providing support to N. by accompanying her child to the hospital until N. gets her Italian driving licence. Since she came to Rome, N. moved autonomously with her child but the doctors advised her against using public transport so frequently, given the baby’s conditions.
Despite everything, M. is a lively and cheerful baby.
N. continues to take care of her child and make projects for the future. She hopes that these trips to the hospital sooner or later will become only a memory.