16-year-old refugee loses father to heart attack, drops out of school to support family

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) – A 16-year-old refugee from Afghanistan is carrying a heavy burden as he seeks the American Dream. Shortly after he became the sole breadwinner for his family, his father died of a heart attack.

Waliullah Drmann, a 16-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, recently dropped out of Des Moines’ Roosevelt High School in his sophomore year and found a job.

“I have to take care of my family now,” Drmann said.

His journey to the United States in 2021 with his father, mother and three siblings was marked by aspirations of a better future, but circumstances forced his path to change drastically.

Drmann’s father lost his job, and his mother and older sister are not able to find work. Homeless since December, the family recently found an apartment – only to lose Drmann’s father to a heart attack last week.

“We got problems like this, you know. Well, I’m working right now for my family to take care of them and stay strong with them,” Drmann said.

Though Drmann has taken over the role of provider for his family, his paycheck barely covers rent. Genesis Youth Foundation, a nonprofit organization looking to empower immigrant and refugee families in Iowa, is trying to help.

The organization’s executive director, Sam Gabriel, has launched a fundraising page for Drmann and his family. Gabriel fears they could easily slip through the cracks and find themselves homeless once again.

Despite the challenges, Drmann is determined to achieve his goals. With dreams of eventually graduating from high school and attending college, he holds on to the hope of a brighter future.

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