In less than 10 days, I will be seated on a plane.
Destination: Afghanistan.
I will have started a trip that will change my life.
As the days quickly approach and concerns are raised by my friends and family, I find myself contemplating what my worries are. What am I scared about? What anxieties do I have or foresee having while emerged for 11 days in a war-torn culture. I want to throw myself into the Afghan lifestyle by eating their food, dressing the part and feeling their emotions; but is that really possible?
Joined by 8 other strong and independent women, our time spent in Afghanistan will focus on working with the women and children of a nearby refugee camp and the street children in Kabul. We hope to teach them about nutrition and sustainability. We plan to sit with many of the people we meet and hear their story, understand their life and not judge the differences but embrace what they know as daily life. Most importantly we plan to show them love- through our actions, our words and our emotions.
After reading Inside Afghanistan by John Weaver (which I highly recommend), I realized that as Americas we provide not only relief and hope to the Afghan people but we provide a chance for real protection from the Taliban and numerous other terrorist groups causing panic, harm and chaos within their country. It wasn’t until after the war started for us on 9/11 that the Afghan people began to feel safe. At first this did not make sense to me…but let it digest. Once they knew a stronger power than their Northern Alliance was coming to protect them they could finally go home, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The people my age in Afghanistan have never known a life without war, fighting and fleeing. I cannot imagine living that life. As much as I want to relate and empathize, this is a situation I will never truly understand. My life has been filled with freedom, encouragement to dream big, and a place that I’ve always been able to call home- not one that disappears when a terror group comes to town.I have been told that the children we meet are incredible- they will come up to hug you, hang on you, take photos with you and want to talk to you for hours on end. Why? Because we are different? Because we have nice things? No- because they are starving for attention. Many of the children in Afghanistan receive little to no attention in the culture. We have been taught that the children will tell us they are sick because that has gained them attention in the past. This absolutely breaks my heart. I’ve seen the pictures and will soon see the real thing- the eyes that cry for love, for the touch and hug of someone who just wants to be there for them, the small bodies that are meant to play and run and laugh but are instead exhausted, confused and hurt by the dangerous lifestyles they’ve been forced to live. I fear most how I will handle these situations. For those close to me, you know I have a big heart for children. How in the world can I look in a child’s eyes who needs, deserves and wants attention knowing that my 5 minutes with her may be all that she gets for days or weeks? How do I leave these children behind knowing there’s a chance the Taliban and other terrorist groups (because there are many) could invade the area as soon as American troops leave and kill not only the men and women of the village- but these precious children too? How can I listen to these children tell me what they want to be when they grow up when I know there’s not even a realistic promise of tomorrow for some of them due to dangers and health?
I am taking with me these concerns, but I am also taking hope that a little love can spread a very bright light. When starting this journey, my goal was to be a part of something bigger than myself. Indeed, that is what I have done. During the interview and donation process I have had humbling moments that I cannot put into words. Support from friends and family have come from everywhere and I know that I am going to Afghanistan with A LOT of love and support. These women and children will not only be receiving my actions and emotions but also the support and love that you have given me. It will absolutely keep me strong, faithful and hopeful. I pray that it will help the light shine brighter in a very dark part of the world.
