From Immigrant to George Washington University: Afghan Club Founders See Expansion of Membership, Their Own Horizons Upon Graduation
The last remaining founders of an Annandale High School club created to help refugee students adjust to American high school life have graduated. The club will continue, led by new students championing its legacy, as the founders prepare for new challenges at The George Washington University next year.
Sosan Barakzai and Husna Basiri, Afghan immigrants themselves, jumped into action in 2021 in the wake of a crisis that sent tens of thousands of Afghan refugees to the U.S. Recalling their own struggles as newcomers to the U.S. and the Virginia public school system, Sosan and Husna wanted to ease the way for others navigating challenges like what gummy bears or cafeteria food may be Halal friendly or how to turn in homework on school assignment tracker systems.
The club – originally aimed at Afghan refugees – grew to 30 members, attracting newcomers from Pakistan, Ukraine, Russia, and Central America. As its appeal expanded, so did its name: the group now known as the “Dunya” Club, embraces the word for “World” in the Farsi language. The club members tapped community grants to buy cricket equipment for kids to play a sport they loved in their home countries, and fund transportation for field trips to U.S. historical sites like Harpers Ferry or national events like the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.
“I’ve been a peer helper to Ukrainian refugee students too,” said co-founder Husna, who came to the U.S. in 2020. “There is a lot of trauma coming from a war-torn area straight to a public high school here. We make sure the new students can visit classes, get help with counselor appointments or assistance with college preparation work. We provide a space for kids to share food from their own cultures, practice English, and play games.”
The Dunya Club gave back too, this year engaging in work at DC Central Kitchen to help feed people struggling around the world.
“Every time I see kids being happy and laughing together, it shows they are comfortable in this club. In this community we created, everyone is coming together and seeing how much they've grown as individuals,” said fellow Dunya Club founder Sosan, who came to the U.S. at age 10. “We have kids at first proud they passed their English language or state SOL tests, now looking for what’s next for them in their future in the U.S.”
Sosan and Husna themselves wracked up a variety of awards and honors along their path to graduation, including:
Serving as Student Equity Ambassador Leaders aka SEALS (Sosan and Husna),
Co-president of SEALS (Husna),
- Annandale High School Citizenship Award (Sosan),
- Fairfax County Student Peace Award winner (Husna),
- Equitable Organization, Bloomquist Family and National Honor Society Scholarships (Husna),
- Annandale High School Service Award (Husna),
- Performing arts and sports scholarships (Sosan),
- STEM for Her and Social Studies Excellence Awards (Husna), and
- Executive member of the Class of 2024 (Sosan).
Up next, both Sosan and Husna are contemplating their majors, both are considering pre-med track as well as potentially international affairs, or music education, inspired by Grammy-winning Annandale orchestra teacher Annie Ray.
“I’ve experienced everything here,” Sosan said. “Every teacher had a new opportunity, pushed me to my limit in whatever field I was in and they listened to my perspective. I want other students to know that everyone is there to help you, to allow you to extend your wings.”
