Letter from Afghanistan
Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:42:32 AM PDT
I got this letter in the mail yesterday. It is from my 'sister' in Afghanistan. I sponsor her through Women for Women International. WFWI focuses on women who are coping with life in and after wartime. They provide job skills and basic human rights education, as well as a monthly stipend...so crucial for these impoverished women. Another goal of the program is to encourage education for children. My sister has known nothing but war and repression in her 40 years. She is widowed, illiterate (having grown up under Taliban rule), lives without electricity or running water, and has five children.
I have been writing to my sister since May, and this is her response to my first letter. She dictated it to someone at her learning center, and yet another person translated it, so pardon the grammatical bumps.
Dear sister,
Accept my best regard hope you are well. I'm from Kabul. It was very comfortable and nice city. As war destroyed everywhere it also destroyed and change to ruin.
I'm too happy to be able to contact with you through women for women program. It is strange and unforgettable event that we find a friend from a country that we just see the map of. I felt (word unknown) there is someone to think about us. I'm the woman that I lost my husband. For many years just my hope was my children. I hoped that my children pass the school and attend in University. Now my eldest son is in Kabul Medical Faculty. I hope to graduate soon. My other children are students. As there are too much problems in different part of life, education is also difficult. The country which come out from war really has too much problem. Inspite of this we struggle to become educated.
We are happy that you have not this problem. It is very difficult for a mother who see the kill or injury of her children. We see it. My 9 year old daughter was killed due to missle and my other 3 year old daughter got severe injuries. This is unforgettable event in my life.
My dear sister. I found that you are from America but I haven't seen any foreign country. But sometime we watch tv and see America. It is really nice and beautiful and the better thing is the peace in your country. I hope (you) have a good time with your husband. I want to write you another letter soon. I hope you write me soon. I the end thank you for the card you sent. Regards,
She is right: it is a "strange and unforgettable event that we find a friend from a country that we just see the map of."
This letter made me cry many times over for many different reasons. My sister's circumstances could not be more different than mine, yet we share common experiences: the loss of a child, thirst for eduation, love for a good man and the desire for friendship. Just as we find solace, laughter and support through boards like this one, we can also reach further afield to find the spirit of friendship in faraway and unexpected places.
