Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2025, the situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen, perhaps especially regarding the treatment of women and girls, for whom severe restrictions have been imposed on their education, employment, and freedom of movement.
At a broader scope, in 2024 alone, over half of Afghanistan’s population required humanitarian assistance, with 12.4 million individuals facing food insecurity and 2.9 million at emergency levels of hunger.
Moved to action, Tzu Chi volunteers in Texas extended care and practical assistance to Afghan families newly arrived in the United States. Among them were Heideri, his wife, Hossirni, and their daughter, Oumlbanin. Through compassion and community support, a set of haircutting scissors became the catalyst for transformation.
A Journey of Courage and Hope
Like many others forced to flee Afghanistan, Heideri and his family sought safe refuge elsewhere. Though he had previously held steady employment in both Afghanistan and Thailand, the cost of living in the U.S. proved overwhelming. Compounding the challenge, Hossirni faced barriers to employment stemming from language difficulties and religious considerations.
Despite being highly skilled in beauty and hairdressing, Hossirni was unable to work in a professional salon without a barber’s license — a process requiring at least $10,000 in fees and training costs, not including equipment. This sum was far beyond the family’s reach. Yet, through the care of Tzu Chi volunteers and the solidarity of their community, a pathway toward self-sufficiency began to emerge.
Determined to contribute to her family’s well-being, Hossirni shared her dream with Tzu Chi Texas volunteer Jennifer An: She wished to open a home-based salon of her very own. Taking this to heart, Jennifer immediately set out to rally the support needed to turn this vision into reality.
“She can’t work, can’t drive, and her English isn’t strong, but she knows how to cut hair,” Jennifer explained. To support her, Jennifer acquired cosmetics for Hossirni and reached out to Laura Lee, a fellow Tzu Chi member and experienced hairstylist. Lee generously offered professional-grade scissors — each typically valued between $300 and $400 — at a deeply discounted rate.
A Gift of Tools and Trust
“I have ten pairs of hairdressing scissors, all carefully selected and premium quality. They aren’t available on the regular market,” said Lee. “The scissors you find in stores just aren’t good enough for professional use. Since I have so many, I decided to give some to those in need.”
For Lee, sharing her tools was more than an act of generosity; it was a way of investing in someone’s dignity and future. “Now she can use the scissors to work better. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I can sleep soundly knowing it. What do I think about all day? Not about myself, but about others,” she said.
When the family first arrived in the United States, they lacked basic clothing items and daily household necessities. But with every distribution event at the Texas chapter, An made sure to include them, often personally delivering fruits and vegetables to their door.
“They’ve just come to the U.S. and have nothing. They really need care and support,” An emphasized. “We can truly empathize with their difficulties. They have no relatives or friends here, but because Tzu Chi is connected to them, we’ll do everything we can to help.”
A Circle of Giving
Tzu Chi volunteer Alice Situ joined the effort by donating appliances and furniture she no longer used. “Honestly, if you’d asked me in the past, I used to be pretty stingy — just not willing to let things go. I’d think, well, I could sell them, or take them to a secondhand market, right? But then I realized, it’s not about the money. What matters most is seeing others benefit. It’s like back when I was going through a hard time, and someone supported me. Do you know that feeling? That’s why I truly understand now,” Situ expressed.
Volunteer Mary Tsao, too, made a special effort, washing extra comforters and driving over an hour to deliver them personally. “Being able to give, to help others, that’s the most meaningful thing,” she shared. “When I first joined Tzu Chi, I accompanied the home visit team to visit refugees. After seeing them, I came home and told myself I had to join Tzu Chi, because this is an organization that truly helps people. When you give, you sometimes feel even happier than those you’re helping. It’s a comforting feeling.”
Uplifting One Another
“I think when someone is struggling, having a hand reaching out to help them up is something to be deeply grateful for,” reflected community volunteer Yah Lim. Lim, curious about Tzu Chi’s work, had joined a home visit and witnessed firsthand the sincerity behind every act of care. “This was my first time visiting this family. I saw that Hossirni kept her home beautifully. Her husband had found a job, her daughter was in school, and she herself was working hard to help the family become independent. I thought, ‘Wow, Tzu Chi is incredible for being able to support people like this. They truly cherish these blessings and connections,’ and I was deeply touched,” Lim shared.
Grateful for the outpouring of support and love, Hossirni shared, “[Jennifer] is a good woman who has helped us from the beginning. She is so kind and exceptional. I couldn’t find work outside, but now I can open a home salon and begin improving my family’s situation. As a Muslim woman, it’s not easy to find work.”
A Ripple of Inspiration
Jennifer’s unwavering dedication left a lasting impression on Oumlbanin, who now hopes to volunteer as well. “[Jennifer An] is gentle and dependable, and willing to help others. If someone is feeling down, she will make them smile again. She is a good person and very kind,” said Oumlbanin. “Helping others brings joy. At school, we were always taught that people must help each other, and mutual aid is a good deed. My parents and school have taught me that I should help others, and helping others makes me feel very happy.”
The strength, care, perseverance, and resourcefulness of women like Hossirni, Jennifer An, Mary Tsao, Alice Situ, Yah Lim, Laura Lee, and far beyond, are reshaping narratives across the globe. From its very inception, Tzu Chi — founded by a Buddhist nun, Dharma Master Cheng Yen — has embodied the spirit of women’s empowerment and joining hands to transform suffering. By putting compassion into concrete action, Tzu Chi volunteers are bridging distances, and helping families like Heideri’s find belonging and hope. With warmth and wisdom, the journey continues, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.
