Equipping Newcomers to Access Educational Credentialing

Fatima* was a student at Kabul University in Afghanistan when the US military withdrew and the Taliban took hold of Kabul. One among tens of thousands of others, Fatima fled Afghanistan during the evacuation in 2021. After spending three months at Fort Lee, she was finally resettled here in Richmond, Virginia. 

Fatima was eager to continue her education and pursue her career, but she had no idea where to start. That's when she met Sheeba Adli, a Client Engagement Coordinator with ReEstablish Richmond. 

Through a partnership with World Education Services and VCU Global Education Office, ReEstablish Richmond provides individualized navigation support to help refugees assess their credentials so that they can continue their education, become licensed in their field, or take the next steps on their career pathway in the United States. 

With Sheeba's support, Fatima learned how to get credit for the classes she had taken at Kabul University and navigate the college application process. This year she was able to resume her studies at Reynolds Community College and looks forward to a career in the medical field.  

In 2023, ReEstablish Richmond equipped 63 clients with employment and education navigation services. Your donation today will ensure that newcomers like Fatima can pursue their educational and career dreams.

* Name and some details have been changed to protect client identity. While this story may represent one individual's experience, it also reflects the common experiences of newcomers from this background.