Husien Panahi

Biography

Husien Panahi was born in April 1st 1988 in the small village of Mijah, in Oruzgan County near Kabul. He grew up as the only child in a small and caring family. He received a good education until the age of 13.

Husien always lived under the fear of the war as he awoke every day with the sound of guns or bombs. At the age of 13, in the worst day of his life, Husein's father was taken by the Taliban and his mother was shot dead on the floor. His father's body was returned to the village four months later. Husien was looked after by neighbours for over a year.

Fearing for Husien's safety, and recognising Husien's potential, village elders suggested moving to Great Britain, so they sold his house and belongings to remove him from Afghanistan.

As Husien was under 16 he was unable to take the flight to the UK, so he had to travel across Europe in the most difficult conditions. He arrived in the UK in February 2003 where he joined a foster family and attended Greenacre School for just over two years. As well as learning English, he achieved 11 GCSEs including 5 at grade B, earning a place at Chatham Grammar School for Girls where he studied A levels in ICT, Art and Health and Social Care.

Husien has played a full part in the social life of both schools, taking part in football, cricket, drama and charity events. Through Gillingham FC and other contacts he organised a charity fancy dress party raising almost £400 for "Children with Leukaemia".

Husien has trained with the Manchester United community programme and has been selected to represent England in a five-a-side World Cup in Copenhagen. He has been offered places at six universities, including Westminster University and Queen Mary University to study Computer Science and Web Technology.