Latest News and Events
24 Jan 2025
Mujtaba's Journey: From Afghanistan to Requalifying as a Vet in the UK
Mujtaba, a veterinarian from Afghanistan, recently sat down and shared his inspiring story with us. He spoke about his life in Afghanistan, his journey to the UK, and his experiences with RSD.
Born and raised in Afghanistan, Mujtaba studied veterinary science at Kabul University and graduated in 2013. He trained under and later became the head vet for Nowzad, an animal welfare charity based in Kabul, founded by former British soldiers. However, in 2021, when the Taliban suddenly regained control of Afghanistan, the future of Mujtaba and Nowzad became uncertain.
Amidst the chaos, Mujtaba and his veterinary colleagues were due to board a flight to the UK to seek safety. They were stopped from leaving by the Taliban. They then fled to Pakistan over land, before eventually making it to the UK.
Once in the UK, Mujtaba was determined to rebuild his professional life. As a former head vet, he set his sights on requalifying to practice in the UK. With the support of RSD, which helped him prepare for his English proficiency and professional exams, and ongoing assistance from Nowzad, Mujtaba achieved his goal. In October 2024, he officially requalified as a vet and is now back to practicing in his field.
In addition to his veterinary work, Mujtaba now helps with RSD on an informal basis part of our RAMP project, supporting others on their journey to employment. His dedication to helping others is a testament to his resilience and generosity.
Rebecca, our ESOL coordinator, had this to say about Mujtaba:
“Mujtaba worked incredibly hard and showed amazing resilience and dedication to achieve this success. He will be a credit to his profession and we wish him all the very best. ”
We at RSD want to say huge congratulations to Mujtaba on his incredible achievement! We also want to extend heartfelt thanks to former RSD team member Denise, as well as RSD and external volunteers for their invaluable support in helping him restart his career.
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