The Safi family, who fled war-torn Afghanistan three years ago and settled in southwest Houston, recently experienced an unimaginable loss when their 8-year-old son, Zakirullah Safi, died from meningitis.
On Oct. 10, Zakirullah, a third-grader at Bonham Elementary, fell ill at school with a fever and headache. His family took him to the hospital, where he passed away shortly after.
Parents at Bonham Elementary expressed concern about the school’s sanitation, with some pointing to recent budget cuts at HISD. One parent, Haylie Buckhan, said she hadn’t been informed about the meningitis case right away and was worried about the school’s cleanliness. Buckhan plans to keep her son home for 10 days as a precaution. Other parents, like Alph Coleman, felt the school seemed clean and supportive.
The Houston Health Department is investigating the case, and HISD has made counselors available for those in need. The Safi family, who had moved to the U.S. after working for the military, is grieving the loss of their son, who had a passion for cricket and loved playing with friends.
