My mother’s words as I fled my homeland ring in my ears

I was always encouraged to dream big (Picture: Joana Lirio)

I’ll never forget the last thing my mother told my husband, Zakirullah, before we had to say goodbye.

‘Fatemah is my amânat to you, take care of her.’

Amânat is a Dari word that essentially translates to: ‘A gift you entrust someone with.’

She said this as floods of tears streamed down my face. I didn’t want to leave her – or my three younger siblings – but Zakir and I had no choice.

Within two weeks...