Bpeace in Kabul

The children are much loved in Afghanistan. Parents try to put their kids first. But the poverty of the country puts kids at risk, not just today, but for their future.

We split up into different teams today.

Laurie and Corinne spent the day filming for the documentary. They started at Ground Zero of Kabul where 30,000 people were killed by Soviet bombs, civil war bombs, Taliban bombs, US bombs, bombs by people who hated the Taliban. At one time, this was the richest area of Kabul, with the most beautiful homes. Today, it's a pile of dust.

Our guide--Wahid--is Education Director of Afghans 4 Tomorrow which run a vocational school for 160 girls including a handicapped class for kids maimed by bombs. Two teen girls were weaving a rug, which Laurie bought on the spot. Her purchase will help equip the entire school with tables and chairs. (Dear Readers....let us know if you want a rug.)

In another part of town, Wendy, Ray and Sara visited the Ashiana Art School for street kids. In a city where there hasn't been much joy, the school was bursting with creativity and life. Wendy observed that the paintings of adults showed expression and detail that far exceeded the age of the young painters. Ray dropped off some art supplies and watched a few classes, and bought a few things. (Dear Readers...let us know if you want to mount an art show for these kids in the US as a fundraiser for the school.)

Back to Laurie and Corinne who went to an apartment building to visit the home one of the women we are considering for our program. As they approached the building, a woman came out screaming that her 5-year old son had been snatched from under her nose. (Child kidnapping is a big issue in Kabul...the children are killed for their body parts and sold in Pakistan, or else sold into child labor...also in Pakistan.) The horror of the moment was so intense, Laurie had the feeling she was watching it from outside her body. (Dear Readers...we don't know what you can do about this except say a prayer that this boy is lost and not kidnapped.)

.....Ok...shift gears....change of tone......

Remember the mother-daughter embroidery team of a few days ago? Laurie and Corinne went to visit their home...quite lovely actually. Surprisingly, the teenage daughter had her own room, a computer, posters of pop stars, twinkle lights...just teenage stuff all over. Unlike the teenagers we know, her favorite book was "Physician's Anatomy of the Human Body" because she wants to be a doctor. She takes 16 courses at her girls high school. She showed Laurie and Corinne her favorite Indian music video with a couple dancing through a field. (Dear Readers...you can help send this kid to medical school by buying her embroidery...Corinne and Laurie have a few tablecloths to sell you.
Here's the Dutch translation: Sas,ik heb hier je verjaardagskado gekocht!)

Meanwhile, in another part of town, Wendy, Ray and Sara are touring a handicraft center with the Director of Marketing for Afghanistan Exports.

....Shift gears again.....

Just down the road, Laurie and Corinne accidently came upon a squatters camp, and decided to enter. A moat of filth in which 32 families and dozens of children were trying to live. Corinne said this was one of the few times in her life she hasn't wanted to hug a child. The stench was unbearable. These families had been refugees in Pakistan, and for the past two years have been refugees in their own country.... Yet, people were gracious...showing Laurie and Corinne where they bake their bread. Flies were everywhere on the filth, on the food, on the kids. (Dear Readers....here's a link to donate: www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/afghanrefugees/)

In another part of town, Toni, Masuda, Sara, Wendy and Ray lunched with Mary MacMakin, an American who has been in Kabul for decades, before--during--and after the Taliban. She operates a physical therapy clinic and programs to help widows support themselves. (Dear Readers....Mary could use your help...she's having trouble with the bills these days...here's their web site: www.parsa-afghanistan.org/)

Onto the World Bank, where we had a great meeting with Carol Le Duc...more later, but lots of great info and contacts for Bpeace.

Toni's class had a great new business idea today....create a line of Afghan maternity clothes...no one knew of any here, in a country where the average family has six kids. (Dear Readers, if you want to invest in this new venture, or have experience designing maternity clothes, contact Toni.)

In the evening, UNIFEM hosted a lovely outdoor dinner for us all, with music and great conversation. Masuda and Wendy took off for "Happy Hour" with the US Embassy staff..but they should be home any minute, as the Embassy has a 11 pm curfew.

Till tomorrow all...
Corinne, Laurie and Toni