Written by: Brenda K. Johnson, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The rewind. It took three days of calls, asking every military contact I knew or thought I remembered, to find seven seats on a military aircraft evacuating Afghanistan. It was August 23, 2021. I had done it. My Afghanistan interpreter Ali (not real name) and his family were manifested (which means they are on the list to fly) on one of the last flights departing Kabul International Airport to Doha, Qatar, and then to America.
After staying up three days, I contacted everyone, pulled the rabbit out of the hat, and had the seats. Now, all they had to do was get to the airport. I told them to have the family pack one bag and bring a lunch and water. I continued to explain that things were deteriorating quickly and no bus would be coming to pick you up. Just pack and go. I said many times as we talked and messaged each other over Facebook.
Watching the pullout on television, it looked chaotic. I felt sick watching everyone packed around the small alley-like walkway area. With our troops in such a valuable position trying to help lift children, passing them over the walls. Passing out water and helping women with children come over the wall. Time was running out. Even watching it, that was obvious.
They still had not left their home, and I was confused about their actions. But in my mind, I imagined what I would take if only one suitcase could be taken. What precious items do you take with you? What do you leave behind? I knew the window was closing on any exit. I had sent them the proof that they needed. I told Ali, even if you can’t print the information, go. From what I understood from those helping me, they weren’t asking for proof. It was first come, first serve. Another day was starting. They had left their home on the way to the airport.
The explosion
The next day was the explosion at the airport. My heart dropped. Because I love my military brothers and sisters, and the blast looked terrible. Secondly, I knew my interpreter's family would not be able to get out now. I was right. The window had closed, and chaos ensued.
As I watched the so-called withdrawal from Afghanistan on television, I cried. I cried because I lived in Afghanistan as a businesswoman and had friends there. I cried because I had met many beautiful and eager young women who attended college and owned businesses. I knew under Taliban rule, women would no longer be able to participate in school. Unfortunately, I was right again.
Ali and his family turned around and went back home after they heard the blast, saw the smoke, and people running from the direction of the smoke.
August 2021 through August 2023
Between August 2021 and 2023, Ali and I talked by WhatsApp almost monthly. He had never given up on a way to get himself and his family out. Ali continued to mention a friend named Stephen, whom he introduced to me over Facebook. Stephen had lived in Afghanistan, too, and had good friends there. But his best friend was Ali. Stephen and I had never met in person, but we began to discuss various methods to get the family out. In the meantime, Ali was arrested three times by the Taliban and tortured for ten days each time. Then, his teenage son was arrested. Why? For working with Americans.
Each time he was arrested, I feared for his life. I had heard about and seen videos of the Taliban brutality. When the women started to protest, they were beating and threatening them. The ones who had jobs or attended school were eventually forced to resign and quit. The Taliban closed all the schools for girls. If you were a widow with children, you could not work to feed your children. They had some program set up to provide for them the first few months, then that ended, and women and children began to starve. They were also tracking and looking for interpreters that were unable to escape. And there are a lot. Some were killed. Others were jailed and beaten, just like what happened to Ali.
The escape plan
Stephen continued explaining a plan of escape he was devising with others still in Afghanistan or Pakistan. Honestly, to me, it sounded far fret and unrealistic. However, it was all we had. Stephen and I shared a determination to get Ali and his family to safety, even in a temporary country.
We discussed bringing them over the northern border, potentially through what I called the “Stan” countries. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. I continued to ask how. How are they going to get over the border? As each day passed, the Taliban dug in deeper and deeper throughout the country. We discussed and debated for over two years.
Finally, in July 2023, Stephen called me and told me he had a friend who was an Afghan who was now in Pakistan. He would drive to Pakistan and pick up Ali and his family. I was like, what? It sounded like the craziest idea in the world. But it was our only plan after two years of contacting every military and government connection we both had.
One good thing is that I had started a GoFundMe for the family to help send them money to live on. Especially since the Taliban was tracking to arrest him again, I will not discuss all the problems with using GoFundMe for my Afghanistan interpreter. They did not believe it was a real issue or I was fake; nonetheless, I had to get my Congressmen and the Treasury Department involved to help me resolve all the myriad of problems.
In what I called a miracle or twist of fate, two days before the planned escape from Afghanistan, the GoFundMe money was released, and I sent it to the family to use for travel and bribes. Yes, brides.
Friday escape day
The money was available for pickup at Western Union on Thursday late afternoon, just in time for the family's departure on Friday. In the Middle East, Fridays are a holiday, and businesses are not open.
Alex planned to have two vehicles following each other, money to pay whatever situations arose, and fake IDs since the Taliban was looking for Ali. My heart was racing about the plan as we discussed it through.
They hit the road early Friday morning. The family had to pack everything into two significant silver cases. Along the way, they took photos and videos of the trip. Alex knew the people at the Pakistan border, feeling it would go smoothly.
It was a holiday, and the border was closed for several days, causing them to stay in a guest house in one big room. In another unexpected turn, the Taliban approached them, asking questions before arrival at the border and wanting to see identification. Ali had the fake identification cards that he passed to Alex when they saw them coming because the Taliban had his name on a list of those they sought. Alex had the identification cards and a $100 bill underneath them. He did not need the identification cards once the Taliban soldier saw the money. With a short conversation and an exchange of cash, they left.
Arrival in Pakistan
They arrived in Pakistan after a four-day journey. They were tired but happy and sad to feel safe for a moment—a feeling they had not felt in years. Pakistan is not their final home. But a safe temporary home.
I am still raising money to help the family. Please feel free to donate.
Brenda K. Johnson, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
BRENDA K. JOHNSON is a multi-focused retired U.S. Army Officer and businesswoman who has lived and worked internationally in both beautiful and dangerous locations. Brenda grew up in a single-parent home with a business-owning mother. She has volunteered with many veterans and prison reform organizations and currently is a board member for Keystone College in Pennsylvania. Coaching basketball for girls led to establishing a women’s basketball team for a College in Doha, Qatar. Brenda is a writer and motivational speaker.
Brenda K. Johnson is using her years of experience as a military training officer and business owner to write and share her professional heartfelt experiences as a co-author in Intuitive Living. Her chapter entitled “S + S = Success” elevates women leaders, providing them with the tools to achieve their ambitions. As the founder of the Powerful Women Business Academy, Brenda coaches and mentors women empowering women to live their business dreams and contribute to the world by assisting others.
Jump on your free 20-minute Business Dream Breakthrough Session call today.
