Hope & Friendship
After years in turmoil, Umaid Dostzada’s life begins anew
Published On: August 31, 2010
Adapted by Matthew Spangler from the best-selling novel and hit movie by Khaled Hosseini, the play has already broken attendance records. “Matthew is here, and it’s really an honor to work with him,” said Marc Masterson, artistic director at Actors Theatre.
Several cast members have ties to Afghanistan. Zarif Kabier Sadiqi (Assef), lived there under the Taliban. Musician Salar Nader is the tabla player of his generation, achieving national and international acclaim. He previously recorded an album with Kronos Quartet.
For its part, Louisville has its own Afghanistan connection in Umaid Dostzada, whose name means hope and friendship. relocated here in 2006 with his family of six and his tri-colored cat, considered good luck in Afghanistan.
“Kite Runner” is peppered with emotional events. The year was 1991, and the climate in Afghanistan was turbulent. The Dostzada family moved to the Moscow after his father received an art scholarship. From 1992 to 2006, they lived as refugees, and they thought they would eventually be able to return to Afghanistan.
“There was discrimination there because we looked different,” Umaid said of Moscow. “When I arrived in Louisville, that didn’t happen. Thank you so very much.”
The family’s immigration process here took a year, and Catholic Charities was instrumental. The family was given food, money and an apartment. They were tested to determine what level English class was appropriate, and language classes started immediately.
Umaid’s first job here was working at The Galt House Hotel’s housekeeping division. In March 2007, he was hired as a temporary worker at UPS, and that September, UPS hired him permanently to operate forklifts and perform other duties. He works full-time and attends night classes at Jefferson Community College, where he is majoring in computer science.
In Moscow, health care is free for citizens but limited for people like Umaid. As a child, he fell from a three-story building, breaking his nose and injuring his ear and mouth. If transported to Germany, surgery would cost $20,000. After arriving in Louisville years later, he underwent more surgeries for the related injuries and is feeling much better today.
Climate here is also an adjustment. He’s fond of the Weather Channel, because “the weather changes all the time,” he said laughing. His favorite season in Moscow was from November to March when the temperature was usually below zero. Obviously his definition of cold is different.
He recalls life in Moscow as “structured,” because the government monitors everything, “including your 90-day summer break,” he said.
Umaid’s green card allows him four years, nine months here before taking his citizenship exam and he will soon begin that process.
Throughout all his trials and tribulations, Umaid has remained loyal to those who assisted and welcomed him. “You can’t disappoint those who helped you,” he said. “And, everything happens for a reason.”
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