The Children
Children are so innocent. And so helpless, and so trusting of adults. Would that we actually deserved their trust. Few things in life are more disturbing than seeing young children consigned by poverty and the random accident of their birth to hard lives of malnutrition, disease, and illiteracy -- lives that those of us fortunate to be raised in better circumstances cannot possibly comprehend or appreciate.
And yet such is the case for so many children throughout developing countries. Afghanistan is no exception and I saw plenty of children in dire circumstances. When I could, I gave them what I could -- usually little more than a loaf of bread. But I was cautioned not to interact because the Talibs sometimes used homeless mothers and children to hide IEDs, and most of the time I had to turn away and ignore that which in a more rational world should never be ignored. Utterly incomprehensible and appalling, and so tragic.
As difficult as it is to observe homeless children sleeping beside the road while their mothers begged for coins or crumbs from passing truckers, it would be dishonest to suggest that that is the norm. Most that I saw were well fed, well clothed, from good homes and well cared for, and mostly it was those whom I was able to photograph.
Most of the American public supports leaving Afghanistan, and the U.S., or at least the U.S. military, will probably leave in a year or two. I don't argue with that. The reasons for leaving are clear and compelling. Yet, perhaps we should take a minute to reflect on what kind of situation the U.S. is likely to leave behind, and if the children of Afghanistan really deserve that, and what responsibility or culpability belongs to the U.S. for what is likely to happen.
And yet such is the case for so many children throughout developing countries. Afghanistan is no exception and I saw plenty of children in dire circumstances. When I could, I gave them what I could -- usually little more than a loaf of bread. But I was cautioned not to interact because the Talibs sometimes used homeless mothers and children to hide IEDs, and most of the time I had to turn away and ignore that which in a more rational world should never be ignored. Utterly incomprehensible and appalling, and so tragic.
As difficult as it is to observe homeless children sleeping beside the road while their mothers begged for coins or crumbs from passing truckers, it would be dishonest to suggest that that is the norm. Most that I saw were well fed, well clothed, from good homes and well cared for, and mostly it was those whom I was able to photograph.
Most of the American public supports leaving Afghanistan, and the U.S., or at least the U.S. military, will probably leave in a year or two. I don't argue with that. The reasons for leaving are clear and compelling. Yet, perhaps we should take a minute to reflect on what kind of situation the U.S. is likely to leave behind, and if the children of Afghanistan really deserve that, and what responsibility or culpability belongs to the U.S. for what is likely to happen.
Children in Kunduz city. Kunduz has experienced bombings with people badly hurt or killed. Eric, with the helmet and body armor, was a USDA agricultural advisor. I love the girl in front with the pink, striped shirt. With her notice-me-I-am-important attitude, she will never wear a burqa.
