CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nearly 20 children arrived in Charlotte from Afghanistan Wednesday morning. They will spend the next six weeks here, living with local families.
During that time, the children will get critical medical care donated by local doctors and hospitals.
Sandy Tabor-Gray brings several children to our area each year through the group Solace for the Children Lake Norman.
She said, "We try to choose our kids based on what can be done in six weeks while they are here."
It's Gulmeena's second visit to Charlotte and with her host family. Her host mom Lori West said, "She's beautiful, I'm so happy to see her."
Gulmeena and her two sisters were wounded by shrapnel in 2011 as they walked past a suicide bomber in Kabul.
West said, "It's pretty traumatic. Last year she had nightmares a lot and the fourth of July was really hard for us with all the explosions. It just reminds them of what they experienced every day."
The children will eventually return to Afghanistan and the uncertainty of what lies ahead as international troops prepare to withdraw next year.
The Tabor-Gray said the group already seeing some early effects. Visas for some of their interpreters were delayed due to heightened security there.
And in the future Tabor-Gray said, "Whether it will be safe for them to travel for them to travel within the country to get to Kabul to come here is I'm sure a major awareness we will have to take into consideration."
For now, the group plans to continue its mission, offering children healing and hope.
WSOC
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