In this episode, I discuss my experiences and challenges during the evacuation process after the collapse of Afghanistan. I talked about the difficulties faced due to visa issues and the need to hide any documents or certificates related to international organizations. I have also shared about involvement with the American University of Afghanistan and their initial plans to evacuate students. However, due to various reasons, including a car accident and a bomb explosion at the airport, the evacuation plan did not work out. In addition, I should also mention other evacuation options, such as a group offering visas to Afghans for evacuation to Brazil, which also fell through. I expressed my frustration and loss of hope as I recounted the failed attempts to leave the country and the lack of support from international organizations.

Key Takeaways:

1. Thousands of people attempted to evacuate Afghanistan after the collapse of the country, fearing the Taliban's rule.
2. The American University of Afghanistan initially promised to evacuate its students, but the plan did not work out due to various obstacles.
3. Other evacuation options, such as a group offering visas to Afghans for evacuation to Brazil, also failed to materialize.
4. Losing hope and feeling abandoned by international organizations as joblessness and uncertainty about the future.

Timestamps: 0:00:10 Introduction to the podcast and explanation for the delay

0:01:22 Discussion on the evacuation plans after the country's collapse 

0:02:47 Burning and hiding certificates due to fear of Taliban

0:05:27 Possibility of evacuation to Bahrain and Brazil

0:07:44 Work-related evacuation plans that didn't work out

0:09:17 Lack of evacuation plans from the US Embassy

0:10:16 Attempted evacuation by the American University

0:11:43 Explosion at the airport disrupts evacuation plan

0:13:49 Continuous communication with American Rescue for evacuation options

0:15:46 Consideration of illegal routes to Iran or Pakistan for escape  

0:17:31 A student at American University shares disappointing experiences with evacuation attempts

0:19:16 American forces and international forces leave Afghanistan, causing a loss of hope

0:20:57 The American University offers help through Pakistan, but it doesn't work out

0:22:28 Hope for assistance from international communities is lost

0:23:20 Announcement for the next podcast episode

Quotes:

• "I had to hide them. I had to throw them away. I had to burn them because… if they find anything… you will be in trouble."
• "Every room or every door that I was knocking, it was closing every single time."
• "I lost trust, I lost hope… I was jobless. I didn't have university, I didn't have work, I didn't have any support from these international communities."
• "99% of the hope that I had… was dead."

Email me @ afghanboypodcast@gmail.com