March 2026 – We often talk about time in abstract terms, but for Ilham, time is a physical weight. He has now spent one-fifth of his entire life—the years that should have been his most vibrant—trapped in a state of “survival mode” in Turkey. A freethinker who fled the brutal certainty of the Taliban, he now faces a different kind of terror: the slow, grinding expiration of his student visa this coming December.
The psychological toll is immense. Ilham continues to battle severe depression and anxiety, a heavy burden for a young man who has already lost so much. In a society where he cannot safely conform to religious expectations, he has found himself increasingly isolated. His only constant companion is Bun Bun, his pet rabbit, who offers a rare source of comfort in a world that feels increasingly cold and expensive.
The economic crisis in Turkey has turned basic survival into a luxury. Food prices have skyrocketed, and Ilham is caught in a desperate cycle, struggling each month to make ends meet through small, inconsistent donations. This financial strain has manifested in his physical health; he is currently dealing with a range of medical issues, from debilitating allergies to the visible effects of malnutrition.
Ilham is a talented linguist and artist who once supported international efforts for a better Afghanistan. Now, he is a man who just needs to reach a free country where he can breathe without fear of deportation or persecution. We have supported him since 2021, and this year must be the year he finally makes it out.
The stability of a recurring donation—even the price of one coffee a month—is what keeps the hope of safety alive for him. Please help us ensure Ilham isn’t forced back into the hands of those he fled.
