Diverse colours of home - The story of Kobra Safi
Kobra Safi is an Afghan refugee and plastic surgeon who had to leave her family, friends and career behind in her search for a better, safer life. She arrived in Canada in September 2022 and is now resettled in Windsor, Ontario.
Kobra’s father felt strongly about the importance of his 6 daughters getting an education. Even though her father was illiterate, Kobra was empowered during her childhood by her father’s support in breaking gender stereotypes. She finished high school and entered university with the highest grades in her district in 2009. Her graduation from medical school was another major breakthrough for Pashtun females because many remain uneducated generation after generation.
Unfortunately, Kobra had been practising medicine for only about three and a half years when the Taliban started taking over different regions of Afghanistan. Despite the danger, Kobra worked with 2 female colleagues to set up an emergency aid camp to support the thousands of displaced Afghans living on the streets of Kabul. She decided to flee after the Taliban brutally beat her female colleague for not wearing appropriate body coverings during a surgery.
“After the Taliban invasion, day after day, our fear of being targeted increased,” Kobra says. “I was afraid and felt miserable. Giving up my family, career, independence, hopes and vision was my only option.”
While living in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi, Kobra continued to help others by teaching children and volunteering as a translator in the camp clinic.
On landing in Canada, Kobra received a very warm welcome at the airport from the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County and from representatives of the Government of Canada. While she feels empowered by her newfound independence and security, she still experiences loneliness and sadness from all she has lost. In difficult times, she turns to painting and finds peace through her artwork, which depicts the stories of Afghan women, portraying both their suffering and their hopes for the future. She has donated 2 of her paintings to IRCC and another to the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County.
Kobra dreams of practising medicine in Canada one day. She’s also working hard to prepare for a future art exhibition that will raise money for the education of children and women in Afghanistan.
“I finally made it to a safe and secure place where I feel comfortable. I am very thankful to all those individuals and international organizations who helped, supported and saved our lives by bringing us to Canada. As a plastic surgeon, I see myself saving lives here with a relaxed mind and calm heart. I look forward to a better and brighter future.”
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