Adelaide Afghans throw fundraisers to help family in Afghanistan fleeing the Taliban

There’s been so much support for Adelaide fundraisers for Afghans fleeing the Taliban organisers have expanded their efforts. Here’s what’s happening.

Life has just got a lot more hectic – and anxious – for 23-year-old Adelaide teaching student, Zainab Kazemi.

As well as her UniSA primary school studies, she works two jobs and is now frantically co-ordinating a series of fundraising efforts to help those from her birth country, Afghanistan.

Born in Kabul, her family fled civil unrest to seek refuge in the country’s central province of Bamyan for a decade before arriving in Australia in 2013.

She and her family fear for loved ones in Afghanistan, as the country comes under Taliban rule.

“An aunty called say the Taliban were coming to take over Bamyan and she was running away to the mountains with her family … we haven’t heard from her (in almost a week),” Zainab said.

“I have an uncle who is in Kabul but he is not safe either as he has worked for the United Nations … he has had to rip up all his documents, passports, everything, so the Taliban can’t find out.

Zainab Kazemi is planning pop-up food stalls at UniSA and in the Rundle Mall to raise money for Afghanistan relief effort. Picture: Mark Brake

“It is really affecting Mum, she literally cannot sleep and isn’t coming out of her room … she is heartbroken and feels very disappointed.

“She understands the situation so well as she has been through it … the Taliban would harass her, hurt her when she was going to the shops. For people in Afghanistan right now, it is a disaster.”

Zainab, the third of seven children, recalls having her head shaved as a child and being dressed in boys’ clothes so she could go to the shops disguised as a young boy.

The second-year university student is now working with the Afghan Cultural Association of South Australia to roll out a series of fundraisers to support the relief effort.

The group is finalising permissions needed to set up pop-up Afghani food stalls on the UniSA Mawson Lakes campus as well as in Rundle Mall.

Zainab said money raised from sales of Afghani bolani – flatbreads filled with potato or other vegetables – dumplings, and sweet treats would be transferred to a trustworthy source in Afghanistan, to be used to buy clothes and food for those who had fled their homes with nothing.

“We are still working through how to safely get the money to those in need,” she said.

She said the not-for-profit was also planning to launch a GoFundMe page.

Meanwhile, the owners of Torrensville restaurant Parwana Afghan Kitchen have been “overwhelmed” by the response to its fundraising dinner.

Durkhanai Ayubi with father Zelmai Ayubi at the family’s Torrensville restaurant, Parwana Afghan Kitchen … a second fundraising event is now planned. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Durkhanai Ayubi said the 250-ticket event for September 6 sold out within hours, with many local businesses and supporters also offering items for auction.

The restaurateurs will host another dinner and auction on September 5.

“The generosity has been overwhelming … it is so beautiful to watch,” she said.

To donate or book, go to www.parwana.com.au/fundraiser

Ms Ayubi said the money raised would be distributed through Australian-registered charity Afghan Australian Development Organisation (AADO), which had a proven history of helping in the region to ensure it “goes directly to the people who need it”.

For updates on the Afghan Cultural Association of South Australia’s fundraisers, follow the organisation on Facebook.