Afghan Siblings Find Hope at Duquesne

Life-Changing Flight

The day that changed the lives of Storai and her family forever was part of one of the largest airlifts in history. The United States Department of Defense successfully evacuated more than 82,000 Afghans and U.S. citizens by the White House’s self-imposed Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw from the war in Afghanistan.

Nearly three years after fleeing their home with just a change of clothes, cell phones and laptops, Storai and her family are safe and live nearly 7,000 miles away in Pittsburgh. To say they’ve gone through a big change is an understatement. Today, Storai, her sisters Spozhmai Orzala Omar and Orbal Tapesh and their brother Khyber Khan Gharwal are literally learning together as students at Duquesne University. 

“Leaving Afghanistan brought unimaginable challenges; Duquesne has been a source of continual rejuvenation for us,” Storai explains. “Leaving everything behind—our families, our home and our country—felt like the end of everything, but Duquesne has been the key to opening a new chapter in our lives that once seemed utterly unreachable.”

Storai and Orbal are each working toward an MBA and an MS in Analytics and Information Management in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. Spozhmai is earning an MBA and Master’s in Industrial Pharmacy and Khyber is completing his bachelor’s degree in economics. They are expected to graduate in May 2026.

The family’s memories of leaving home in 2021 at the urging of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul remain both vivid and frightening. In the days leading up to their escape, Orbal remembers the heaviness of their unknown futures.

“Minute by minute, hour by hour—uncertainty hung over our country, and even within our family, no one knew what the future held,” she says.

Storai recollects tumultuous scenes at the Kabul airport.

“The chaos was overwhelming,” recalls Storai, who spent 10 years advocating for human rights with nonprofits and UN agencies. “Streets were jammed with car accidents while throngs of men, women, youth and children frantically sought refuge from the Taliban’s reign of terror at the airport gates, and all the while, the Taliban were openly shooting. The fear was palpable, and the sounds of gunfire and the flashes from their weapons were etched in my memory, as are the desperate faces of those fleeing for their lives.”

During the turmoil, the family worked to protect themselves and prevent anybody from recognizing them.

“We were struggling to access the gate,” Orbal says. “We covered our faces and identities and hid who we were. We could not speak to each other, unable to even call out our names—especially Storai’s—because we were so scared for our safety. The air was thick with tension, and every moment felt like an eternity.”

Spozhmai and her husband were terrified for their three-month-old daughter and three-year-old son. “We had to carry them because they were so small and young,” she says. “The fear was constant—terrified that harm or abduction could befall my little ones amidst the chaos."

Meanwhile, they were concerned about their extended family members, colleagues, friends and relatives who were still in Afghanistan.

“When we left our country, it was around 5 a.m., and a beautiful sun was shining in the Kabul sky,” Orbal recalls. “However, the beauty of the dawn was overshadowed by the palpable fear that gripped everyone around us.”

Arrival, Hope, and Kindness

The family arrived at Dulles International Airport before flying to a U.S. Army Base, where they lived for four months with more than 12,000 other Afghan evacuees. There, the uncertainty continued and rumors ran rampant, yet Storai says they still felt hope.

“When we talked with the soldiers there, they didn’t call us refugees, they would say ‘You are our guest,’’ she says. “We were welcome there and nobody mistreated us. Whenever we wanted to voice our thoughts, they were able to hear us—they gave us that chance for our voices to be heard.”

Yet they still worried about what would be next for them.

“We came to the U.S. with nothing, completely uncertain about our future,” says Orbal. “Though we were informed that we would stay in the U.S. after leaving the base, but still, we didn’t have any idea about life here, the standards, systems, the culture, everything.”

And of course, the family was anxious about their relatives and friends with whom they were in touch in Afghanistan. 

“There's an eight-hour time difference between the U.S. and Afghanistan, so we'd wake up at midnight to answer the calls and text messages that had come in overnight,” Orbal says. “It often feels like our hearts are split in two—part of them remains there, and part is here with us. We knew we had to fight for our dreams here, but we never give up, hoping that a day comes when what we do for ourselves here, we can do for our countrymen in Afghanistan.”

Like A Green Light

Storai and her family were relocated to Pittsburgh with other Afghans in January 2022. They were thrilled to continue their education and knew they were fortunate to have the opportunity to do so. The human rights condition in Afghanistan is dire, even more so for women and girls. The Taliban banned women from working for the United Nations and nonprofits and restricted women from participating in anything social or public, especially education.

“At Duquesne, we have found more than education; we have discovered a powerful platform for change,” Storai says. “Duquesne has given us the strength to aspire beyond the horizons of what we thought possible. For my family and me, Duquesne is not just a school; it is the ground from which we will contribute to the world. It’s a tribute to our parents, who taught us that education is the key to unlocking life’s greatest potential.”

The siblings arrived in the U.S. with undergraduate and some graduate degrees. Storai had earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science, Orbal a bachelor’s in business administration, Spozhmai a Pharm.D. and Khyber had completed three semesters toward a bachelor’s in business administration. Despite this—and being fluent in English, Persian, Pashto and Dari—they were unsure whether their transcripts would transfer and that they might not be accepted to a university to pursue their advanced degrees.

Duquesne’s Support and Opportunity Begins

But as an institution founded to advocate and advance opportunity to immigrants more than 145 years ago, Duquesne University always seeks to level the playing field.

“As our Spiritan founders have advocated for the marginalized over centuries, our campus community united to provide unwavering support to our Afghan students affected by displacement,” says Dr. Dan Sadler, director of graduate recruitment and admissions, who continues to work closely with the siblings.

Similar to her siblings, Spozhmai reveals her happiness studying at the University.

“Duquesne is a very, very special place for me,” Spozhmai says softly but with a smile. “I see my future as very bright here, and I'm very happy that I get the chance to study industrial pharmacy. It was quite challenging for me at the start, but every day I am learning new things in the school of pharmacy and the school of business, but also about the culture.”

Like her siblings, Spozhmai shares her gratitude. “Mr. Robert (Andrews) and Mr. Daniel (Sadler) have helped me grow a lot. I am very thankful to them and to everyone that has helped me here,” she says. 

“We were concerned about getting into a school, but they made it happen,” adds Storai. “They are our inspirations and role models, truly championing and facilitating our educational opportunities here at Duquesne.”

Orbal describes her experience at Duquesne as “special and beautiful.” 

“Having faced so much anxiety and trauma, I once believed that all doors had closed on me. However, Duquesne has emerged as a significant opportunity,” Orbal says, echoing Storai. “This place holds a special significance as it fills me with hope, inspiring me to plan for the future and move forward.”

Orbal has also developed a fondness for one of Duquesne's school colors. “Before, I wasn't a fan of red; it seemed too bold for my taste,” she says. “But now, here at Duquesne, I like red. It has become deeply meaningful to me, symbolizing the hope, dreams, and journey I am on.”

Khyber points out that every day at Duquesne adds another layer to his understanding of the world and his role in it. 

“Being here, surrounded by kind mentors and driven peers, I'm motivated to pursue not just a degree but a legacy of impactful work and innovation,” Khyber says.

Appreciation, New Possibilities

The siblings have an appreciation for the diversity at Duquesne and expressed excitement at meeting other international students from as far away as South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Asia. Storai calls the University a “small version” of the whole world.

“It's truly fascinating,” she says. “The diversity of tradition, cultural backgrounds and perspectives at Duquesne is remarkable. Observing the various study methods, the unique expressions of ideas and even the distinct English communication styles enriches my experience. Each interaction here is not just communication but a valuable lesson in human diversity and the richness it brings to our learning environment.”

Since coming to Pittsburgh, the siblings enjoy living with little to no restrictions, especially the sisters. Here, they can practice some of their traditions while also learning new ones. 
“I have the freedom to practice my religion openly, wear my headscarf, and embrace our rich cultural heritage,” Storai says. “I can communicate in my native language with no restrictions. I deeply appreciate the mutual respect and value that people here show towards one another.”

Orbal also appreciates the freedom of living here. “Nobody tells you what religion you are going to practice, nobody asks about your skin color or your ethnicity. Here I can walk outside, go to the gym, I can go to Duquesne. I can dress the same way I did in my country. I am much more comfortable with all of the diversity here.”

As a mother, Spozhmai is focused on creating a nurturing environment for her children that fosters optimism and a positive outlook for their future. “I want my children to embrace the enriching aspects of U.S. culture,” she says. “I've discovered many positive elements conducive to their growth and development here.”

In their short time at Duquesne, the siblings have become focused on uncovering new possibilities in their areas of study, becoming problem-solvers who think bigger and discovering the impact they want to make on the world as Duquesne graduates.

“Their gratitude for helping make their education goals come true is profoundly shown in each meeting I have with them,” says Sadler. “It is a sincere pleasure working with them.”

 

Story by Rose Ravasio, A'90, published in print, in part for Spring 2024 Duquesne Magazine.