Azam’s expressions didn’t change much as we sat together enjoying a generous portion of Russian Honey Cake – baked fresh from Golden Valley Restaurant. The dessert was sweet, but the conversation quickly turned bitter.

Azam has lived in Phoenix for the majority of his time since fleeing Uzbekistan after the Andijan Massacre – a day when the Uzbek government unleashed terror on a crowd made up mostly of peaceful protestors, killing hundreds.  Back home, Azam was a sales manager at a successful clothing company. He’s now a night stocker at Fry’s grocery store where he’s worked for four years.

“I enjoy working at Fry’s and I really like the hours,” Azam said. “It gives me more time during the day to exercise, which I really enjoy. Every Monday I go to the Phoenix Mountains to go hiking with my friends. I enjoy the views of the mountains and the fresh air – it makes me feel healthy.”

Azam’s workouts don’t stop there. Three days a week he trains at a Mixed Martial Arts sports club and also lifts weights at Pure Fitness two days a week. Given his strong physical build, it’s clear he’s a guy you wouldn’t want to mess with. But from the other side of the world, there are people and a government who are doing just that and more.

On May 3, 2011, members of the Uzbek militia visited Azam’s family. Their visit, at best, was unwelcomed.

“The militia came to my wife’s grandmother’s house,” Azam said. “My wife was there and after forcing their way inside, they beat my wife and her mother to the point where they couldn’t stand. They didn’t stop there. They threatened my wife’s grandma with a knife, provoking her to take her own life. Then, they took my wife against her will to their office where they beat her even more and threatened to exile her to Kyrgyzstan.

“They told her that I could do nothing to help her and that the United States would not do anything to help the situation there. She was finally released after several hours.”

Azam heard the details of the event from his oldest son. All of 12 years old, he has been the “man of the house” since he was just six years old, after Azam fled from Uzbekistan in 2005.

“When my son told me about this horrible incident, I knew I couldn’t do anything to help,” Azam said with a stark expression. “I told him that he is grown up now and that he needs to take care of his siblings, mom and grandma and to give them all emotional support. I could tell he was shocked from what happened but I’m proud of the way he defended our family and stood against the militia that day.”

Azam’s pride for his son began to shine from his face as he shared about the awards he’s won from school. He said he has become a leader among his friends and in sports – no doubt something learned from the responsibility he’s carried for so many years.

The militia never gave a reason for entering the home or taking Azam’s wife into custody. However, they had visited Azam’s uncle’s house just hours before, dealing the same beating to his family there and taking his uncle’s possessions – computers, cars and other valuables. In all, five of Azam’s family members were treated for injuries inflicted upon them that day.

“I’m not completely sure why they did this to my family,” Azam said. “It could be because my wife’s uncle is a well known businessman in the city and they fear his influence. We talk often and they might be worried that we are working together to plot something against the government.”

The Uzbek government has been acting paranoid about an initiative being organized by refugees from around the world called the “Uzbek People’s Movement.” The movement has two goals – free elections and the removal of the current dictator through peaceful protests in Uzbekistan. As a result, Uzbek officials are keeping a close watch on the refugees and on their families who are still living in the country. Activity has picked up within the movement lately, leaving the assumption that the incident with Azam’s family is a reaction from the government toward those who might be associated with the movement.

“It is very, very painful not being able to do anything to protect my family,” Azam added. “I feel hatred and frustration toward the regime, which I think is natural. I also pray for change in our country and am thankful I have a community here to help me through this.”

The Andijan Justice & Revival Organization is helping Azam by notifying several human rights organizations to shed light on the cruel practices exercised by the current Uzbek regime.

“My hope is that the system will change and that not only my family, but other families in Uzbekistan will be treated fairly and freed from the government’s oppression.”

Written by Brett Brooks, Photography by Kristin Kawa Brooks

(Originally published at www.UzbekJustice.com) 

It’s like they always say, there’s nothing like a large order of McDonald’s french fries to remind you of Uzbekistan. Those long and crispy wedges might taste a little different here in the U.S., but for many, they still stir up nostalgia of that landlocked country squeezed between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Central Asia.

“My favorite food in America is french fries from McDonalds,” Abdulbosit Kosimov said with a half smile. “They remind me of home. We have a McDonalds in Uzbekistan and when I eat at McDonalds, no matter where I am, it takes me home.”

Abdulbosit hasn’t been home since the Andijan Massacre when the Uzbek government fired upon a crowd of peaceful protestors, killing hundreds. He, along with more than 400 of his countrymen, are now living as refugees since fleeing their oppressive government and leaving their homeland on May 14, 2005.

“We walked for 11 hours after the massacre to the border of Kyrgystan,” Abdulbosit recalled. “There were 10,000 people who fled but by the time we reached the border, there were about 1,000 of us. Uzbek soldiers were waiting for us there and began firing on us – they didn’t want us to cross. Many ran away, many were shot, and nine people were killed. I was behind the frontline looking for my brother; I think that’s what saved me. When it was over, only 540 of us made it to the refugee camp in Kyrgystan.”

Abdulbosit, 25 years old, is now a student at Phoenix College studying political science. Before he left Uzbekistan he was studying law, something he dreamed of since a child.

“We don’t see justice in Uzbekistan. I wanted to help innocent people and protect their lives. After the massacre, my life changed completely and I realized just how corrupt our government is. They do not do good for our people. So when I came to America I changed my path to become a politician.”

Abdulbosit will graduate from Phoenix College this summer and plans to enroll at Arizona State University in the fall. He carries a full load of 16 credit hours and works full time for the Andijan Justice & Revival Organization, a nonprofit organized by other Uzbeks living in Arizona – there are about 200 of them in Phoenix.

Outside of living expenses and tuition, much of Abdulbosit’s income is sent home to help his family. He sends $300 a month to his mother to help support a house of seven people that includes his three older sisters – his father passed away in 1993.

“Our life in America is not fancy,” he said. “We live simple to help our families because many of them are in prison and so we send money each month to help. We choose to live differently here – it’s all about remembering our people back home along with the victims of the Andijan Massacre.”

Abdulbosit never found his brother Abduvohid at the border. He later heard that Abduvohid made it across but was then sold back by Kyrgyz to Uzbek soldiers for about $5,000. After a swift closed trial, Abduvohid was sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in the May 13 protest.

The prisons in Uzbekistan are overrun with inmates. It was originally built to house criminals, not civilians fleeing persecution. Many cells are packed with eight – 10 prisoners and one bed. Each inmate enjoys just two hours of sleep on the bed before rotating for the next person and then standing for the rest of the night.

Adequate clothing and food are also scarce in prison so family members visit their incarcerated relatives every few months to bring them necessities.

“I send an additional $250 every three months to my family,” Abdulbosit said. “This covers their travel expenses to see Abduvohid, bring him clothes and food. My brother should finish his sentence in June, but we were told recently that an additional three years has been added, we don’t know why.”

“I miss my family very much,” he added. “When I was in the Kyrgyzstan refugee camp, two of my sisters came to see me. They tried to convince me to come home but I was afraid I would be thrown in jail. I told them I was staying but didn’t realize that would be the last time I saw them.”

Abdulbosit was one of 440 Uzbeks in the Kyrgyzstan refugee camp. They stayed in Kyrgyzstan for 72 days before being transferred to a camp in Romania. That was not before 100 of them were handed back over to the hands of the Uzbek government and later imprisoned.

From the Romania camp, Abdulbosit joined 66 Uzbeks who were sent to live in Phoenix, Ariz. The rest were sent to other countries and other U.S. states. Those living in the states have been centralizing in Phoenix to live as a community until the Uzbek government is reformed and warrants for their arrest are lifted. Only a handful have been reunited with their immediate families. Most have wives and children they haven’t seen in six years.

“Our goal is to be back in Uzbekistan,” Abdulbosit said. “Until then, we want to see the city of Phoenix flourish while we are here.”

In Uzbekistan, many of the refugees were involved with a group that was creating jobs, which helped people out of poverty. Many feel the government felt threatened by their success and was concerned about losing power to the group.  There were 23 business leaders who were thrown in prison because of their successful business endeavors. The government called them “religious extremists” and “terrorists” – this in part lead many Uzbeks in Andijan to the protest on May 13, 2005.

“While there is great poverty in Uzbekistan, we see challenges in Phoenix as well,” Abdulbosit said. “We want to help the economy while we are here just like we helped Andijan by starting small businesses.”

The Uzbek community is already responsible for starting nine small businesses in central Phoenix and plans to add more.

“When it is time to return, I will go back and serve the people in Uzbekistan,” Abdulbosit said with conviction. “I won’t use my education for my own pocket, I will use if for the nation. I will always protect the rights of our people. My plan is to either become a politician in Uzbekistan or become an ambassador for Uzbekistan in the U.S. Our constitution in Uzbekistan would make our country paradise, but our government makes it hell. I will work to change everything.”

Abdulbosit said he promises to never become corrupt like his own government. He says he longs for the day to serve his people and to see peace and justice reign – that he says is his biggest dream.

Written by Brett Brooks, Photography by Kristin Kawa Brooks

My wife Kristin and I recently had a dear friend of ours named Dawit Kassaye stay at our house. We had such a great time with him. Dawit was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and works for Food for the Hungry in Zeway – the area where we served in last summer.

It’s easy to feel a connection with Dawit. He has one of those enthusiastic personalities, which is so genuine it draws you in. He’s also a walking “sound bite” for wholistic development. His authentic passion for overcoming human poverty is contagious. Here’s a video of Dawit sharing how short-term teams influence the communities they serve by building relationships.

(You might recognize his example from a post I shared about our team planting seedlings in a village called Jido.)

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Haiti experienced an incredibly destructive earthquake on January 12.

Food for the Hungry is already on the ground providing food, water and medical supplies. If you are considering a donation to relief in Haiti and are looking for a trusted organization, I recommend that you give through Food for the Hungry at http://fh.org/haiti.

You can also receive updates on their efforts by following the Food for the Hungry Emergency Response Unit on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FH_ERU

Financial donations may be submitted online or by mail to: Food for the Hungry, Attn: Cheryl Johnson, 1224 E Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034.  Please attach a note stating that the donation is for the Haiti Earthquake.

Today marks the end of a decade – hard to believe, isn’t it? Here’s something you might do today for fun.

Grab a notebook and a pen. Write at the top “This Past Decade I…”

And then start writing down whatever comes to mind as you reflect on the last 10 years of your life. Be honest with yourself and don’t just jot down your “achievements” and “successes.” Those should be included but also write down any failures, disappointments or tragedies you’ve experienced. Make it a “real” list. Don’t share it with anyone unless you really want to.

Why do it? I don’t know… maybe you’ll be able to count your blessings and appreciate them more when you see them written down in front of you. Maybe it will reveal how crappy things have been or show you what you need to spend more time doing and what to focus on with a new decade ahead of you – right now it’s a fresh slate. Maybe you follow it up with another list “This Next Decade I Will…”

Too often I find myself slipping into auto-pilot and don’t take time to reflect on my life – to evaluate where I’ve been and remind myself of where I want to end up.

As I write out my own list, I’m amazed at how many things were not planned – some good and some bad. I had no idea I’d be blessed with the most amazing wife or have two beautiful nieces and an adorable little nephew. I also didn’t know that I’d lose my precious grandmother this year. My list is reminding me how much uncertainty there is in life and makes we wonder what blessings and trails will come my way in the coming years. My list also makes me turn to God where I find comfort in the midst of uncertainty. He is always the same in his perfect character and always does what is good and right. I’m reminded that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Give it a try and use the comment section to share what your list reveals to you.

Happy New Year!

 

 

I mentioned in an earlier post “A School without Books” about the effort to raise funds for a need in Adami Tulu – a community that Dagim (my sponsor child) lives in.

Here's a short video interview of Megan Kuefler, one of my team members who traveled to Ethiopia with Food for the Hungry. In this clip, she shares about what she experienced during our two weeks there. My next post will feature Megan telling us about how she is continuing to make a difference in the community we visited by starting the "Adami Tulu Library Project" and more about how you can be a part of that too.