Naimat's story

In August 2021, Naimat Zafary’s world fell apart when the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan. Having been evacuated to the UK with his family, Naimat arrived at Sussex on a scholarship but with little else. Thanks to the support of the Sussex community, he has been able to start a new life and to focus on his studies.

Naimat Zafary

In 2021, Sussex welcomed nine Afghan Chevening scholars through its doors. Having been evacuated from Afghanistan, many arrived with few personal possessions, with limited means to support themselves, and bearing the mental scars of their experiences. For our community, these students presented a real and urgent case for support.

Thanks to generous alumni donations to the Sussex Fund, we were able to provide the scholars and their families with access to specialist counselling and mental health support, as well as hardship bursaries and other everyday necessities like warm clothing, prescription glasses and household items, making them feel welcome, safe and valued. The generosity, kindness and compassion of the Sussex community shows that Sussex lives by its values.

Naimat is one of the nine Chevening scholars. A graduate of Kabul University, Naimat worked for the National Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, before joining the United Nations Development Programme in Afghanistan. Naimat and his family were on one of the very last flights out of Kabul.

Naimat says that he is; “acutely aware of the precious opportunity I have to study at Sussex and the support that has enabled me and others like me to do so.”

“Since being in the UK, I’ve really enjoyed the warm welcome that I’ve received. I really feel a sense of belonging and that I am part of a community. I also like the green landscape and the rain.

“What I miss the most about my country is the food, in particular walking with my friends and eating Kabuli rice in the Shara area of Kabul, or eating fish in the Sarobi district.”

Explaining what the opportunity to come to Sussex means to him and for his future, Naimat continues:

“Sussex was my first choice of university because I had already seen first-hand, and in the most challenging context, the importance of research and teaching in the field of development. Anyone who has seen the deep human needs and inequalities that I have, knows that a proper and sustainable approach to development and good governance must be part of the solution.

“This was highlighted to me when I recently met another Sussex alumnus, Carlos Alvarado Quesada (Development Studies, 2009), President of Costa Rica. He is doing his upmost to put that same education to work for good in his part of the world.

“In that sense, Sussex alumni who support students like me and my fellow Afghans are helping bring education and experience to those in greatest need. On behalf of them and my own family, I am truly grateful.”

From hardship bursaries to mental health support, from scholarships to enhancing the student experience, the Sussex Fund underpins schemes that enhance the lives of our students. In our 60th Anniversary year, will you consider making a difference to those Sussex students who need it most and make a gift today?

Sussex alumni who support students like me and my fellow Afghans are helping bring education to those in greatest need. On behalf of them and my own family, I am truly grateful.” NAImat zafarY
chevening scholar

---

You might also be interested in:

• support us with a donation
• our fundraising promise