Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Monday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face. The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of maintaining a permanent Democratic majority. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. Consider this an open thread.
I know, you guys are likely scratching your head wondering what on earth is so happy about Afghanistan these days. Well, I have a different perspective than most in the US as I get to see success, not only destruction, death and dismay.
This is me with some young women who at started in our school in 1st grade, graduated in 7th grade, and are now in 11th and 12th grades in high school. Their success makes me very happy!
(Also in picture is our headmaster at this school, and the director of all of our schools in the blue jacket.)
These girls have gone through so much, have big dreams, and work very hard to get there. They are an inspiration to anyone who meets them.
And they are not the only happy story in Afghanistan.
We have lots of boys going to school too! We could use at least 10 more rooms to meet the demand just in this area!
Education in Afghanistan is no where near being sufficient, but there are lots of happy stories and more and more children going to school each year.
I wonder if the 'thumbs up' sign is something they picked up from us, or if it is just universal?
And you know, people DO have fun in Afghanistan on their day off; Friday. Many do what we did one Friday, and drive up to a nearby lake to picnic or have some tea and ice cream, and relax.
There are men everywhere with balloon toys for the kids. I took this picture of one on the way to Lake Qargha, only a few miles from Kabul.
You can hang out in these for free, but they do expect you will buy some tea at least.
Lake Qargha is a man made lake, due to the building of a dam. This area is very popular with people in Kabul to picnic, as it has been cleared of mines and unexploded ordinance, most from the Soviet war in the 1980s.
Kabul golf course is nearby. Yup, there is a golf course, but they don't exactly have a 'green'.
I didn't go...
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Cricket is big there, even if all they have is a stick to play with.
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There are even efforts to help employ disabled adults, and get kids off the street, the people that are usually left for last in nations at war.
Many young kids are the families' breadwinner, and work on the streets. This is not only dangerous, but they fail to get educated. There are a number of efforts to help these kids, including our project where we teach them a skill (briquette making), they get paid while in training, and then must go to school the other half the day, getting an education. The government wishes we could expand this program faster to get more of these kids off the street. Another organization that is working with these kids is Aschiana.
Making fuel briquettes from waste paper and sawdust.
One of our Senior Trainers.
Recently I attended a summit here in the Bay Area where 15 Afghan NGOs came to share best practices and educate the public on their work. It was well attended, and that makes me happy!
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On that note...fund raising is difficult for any non-profit these days. But I am often encouraged in people's desire to help their fellow man, even when they are so different from us.
When I see pictures like these below showing what the generosity of many Americans can do, I am very happy!
This shows a woman looking through the hand made knitted sweaters, hats etc. that were made by people all over the US that belong to another group; Afghans For Afghans! I have to tell you, I helped pack some of these boxes, and this stuff was beautiful!
And also thanks to the generosity of so many people, we are able to provide medical care and medicines to a rural village.
I will end with a note about the Afghan people themselves. While they often do not smile for photos, they actually smile a lot. They are some of the most hard working and optimistic people I have ever met, and that is pretty damned amazing considering what their country has gone through.
While we all argue over if Obama is right to send more troops or not, I just want to let everyone know that there are many people there who are truly happy to have Americans helping them rebuild their nation.
And not all that is going on there is bad!
Thanks guys, what is your happy story today?