Moving Target
A photo story from the Fences: Faces of Migration Photojournalism Workshop
In September 2014, Ezatullah, 38, and his wife Pashtoon, 35, traveled from Afghanistan to the United States with their sons, Basir, 17, Maiwand, 16, Janan, 11, Kawoon, 8, and Ehsanullah, 6, and their daughter, Khatera, 13. Together, they made the 6,800 mile journey in search of a more secure life.
Ezatullah worked for education and human rights campaigns in Afghanistan in hopes to help those in his country receive a better education. “This is not about the politics. I need to help these people,” said Ezatullah. As well as his campaign work, Ezatullah coordinated local and international media, and is a published poet and journalist. “I have a responsibility to my kids, myself, and my nation,” said Ezatullah.
Ezatullah was a very prominent public figure in Afghanistan, which caused the need to move due to a lack of security for him and his family.
“I was planning to go to Virginia to start work at a radio station. We got to New York and an International Organization for Migration representative said, 'No, you’re going to Lansing.'” Ezatullah had never heard of Lansing and quickly looked on his phone at the airport to learn more about the city.
That night, they were taken to a small house which had holes scattered throughout the structure and water in the basement. They payed $700 per month, not including utilities. With no car, they walked 5-6 miles to get groceries.
“We didn’t sleep the whole night. We were scared. If you’re new here, you have no other options, no one to help you,” said Ezatullah.
The family currently lives in Lansing, Michigan, in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. “Here, I am nothing. There, I was something,” said Ezatullah.
“I have seen a lot of hard times in my life, but I don’t complain. Now I just think of my kids to have a better life. In this world, you have to fight to survive,” said Ezatullah.
His children are all exceeding in school, Pashtoon is taking English classes, and Ezatullah is working towards his undergraduate degree in political science as well as working at the Department of Human Services near Lansing.
“I enjoy it because this is for my family. The day will come that they will have a better life,” said Ezatullah.
Photos and Story by Emily Mesner
