Photos: Faisal Ghandiwal, 17, finds new opportunities in US after fleeing Afghanistan
Chaos at the airport in Kabul separated Faisal Ghandiwal, who was 14 at the time, from his parents as they attempted to flee Afghanistan, forcing him to come to the United States alone. Now 17 he has built a life in ºüÀêÊÓƵ thanks to his host parents Rock and Joy Erekson, but still waits to be reunited with his family. Photos by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
Faisal Ghandiwal, 17, practices Salah, the ritual of five daily prayers central to Islam, in the basement of his host family’s home in Frontenac on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Ghandiwal fled Afghanistan in 2021, but his immediate family still remains behind in the country.
Faisal Ghandiwal, 17, performs his second of five prayers of the day in the basement of his host family's home in Frontenac on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Ghandiwal fled Afghanistan in 2021, but his immediate family still remains behind in the country. Photo by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
Faisal Ghandiwal, 17, trims the bushes as one of his chores while living with the Erekson family in Frontenac on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024.
Faisal Ghandiwal, 17, gets his haircut by Nader Mohammadi in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Ghandiwal fled Afghanistan in 2021, but his immediate family still remains behind in the country. Photo by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
Rock Erekson, center, shares his opinion on Faisal Ghandiwal’s haircut while barber Nader Mohammadi, right, listens on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. The Ereksons are Ghandiwal’s host family and provides living space for him and his cousin, Zabour.
Faisal Ghandiwal, left, talks with coworker Jacob Webb while hosting at Brio Italian Grille in Frontenac on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Ghandiwal fled Afghanistan in 2021, but his immediate family still remains behind in the country. He now lives with Joy and Rock Erekson in Frontenac. Photo by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
Faisal Ghandiwal, right, helps customers to their table while hosting at Brio Italian Grille in Frontenac on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
Joy Erekson, middle, high fives Faisal Ghandiwal, left, after he won a hand of Skull King while playing with his host family, including Erekson’s granddaughter Caroline Erekson, in their home in Frontenac on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Joy agreed to take in Ghandiwal and his cousin after her husband Rock learned they were living in their car and unable to sign a lease because they were under 21.
Rock Erekson, left, shows Faisal Ghandiwal the labyrinth while walking the grounds at Sister of Mercy of the Americas Mercy Center in Frontenac on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Erekson is Ghandiwal’s host parent, and during their walk discussed school and taught him the English words for regional plants.
The plane Faisal Ghandiwal took from Afghanistan to Qatar when he fled in August of 2017.
The tarmac before Faisal Ghandiwal was put on a plane in Kabul, Afghanistan in August of 2017.
Allie Schallert
Videographer/Photographer
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