Dispatches from Afghanistan

Afghan Children’s Voices and Drawings

Dispatch From Afghanistan

Voices of Afghan School Children – Part 2

December 2011

As I was getting ready to leave Kabul for Portland, I asked some school children (grades 1-12) in two schools in Kabul to draw/sketch or describe their thoughts, feelings, concerns and/or wishes about current conditions in Afghanistan. Bear in mind that some of these children were not born yet, were infants, or very young when the US-NATO invaded and occupied the country on October 7, 2001. Following is a close translation from Dari and/or Pashto – the two main and official languages – of some of the children’s writings. The drawings are self-explanatory.

The government must take all the necessary steps and mobilize all branches and resources in order to control and prevent the abuse, kidnapping, trafficking, exploitation, sale and/or prostitution of children in our country. – An eighth grade girl.

We, children demand and need peace and freedom. – A fifth grade boy.

A mother watched her two sons killed and drowned in a river of blood. May this mother’s grief curse you – A seventh grade girl.

War destroys the country and the nation, we must put an end to all the fighting- A sixth grade girl.

The Kafirs (infidels) shot/killed these children. – A second grade boy.

Essay About Peace: Peace is a condition under which the people in the country can make progress and improve their lives. Peace brings good fortune. Children and adults can study and get an education when there is peace. Peace in a country or region is a blessing. Human beings need peace and all the people throughout the world need and want it. Peace represents progress and good fortunes, that is why everyone – children, adolescents, young and old – all demand and need peace. So, how do we achieve peace? It can be brought about through cooperation, unity, visitation and interaction among neighbors, greeting each other, kindness, and cleaning up our streets, roads and homes. Even animals need peace, and they can thrive under peaceful conditions. Allah/God himself has ordained peace. WAR: War produces nothing but ruin, death and destruction. War wreaks havoc on a country and people. You can’t study or make any progress when there is a war going on. No one, not even animals like war/fighting. So enough fighting! Because we cannot get an education or build our country. – A third grade boy.

War and fighting are very bad. Look, they killed that boy while they were fighting. And look at that beautiful house they destroyed during fighting. What is a land mine? A land mine is extremely dangerous and deadly, and it kills both people and animals. Land mines are made to look like balls, pens, radios, watches or other normal objects thrown on the roads, in the streets, in buildings, and so on. Don’t touch these things, because you will be killed or maimed. I would like you to hear and follow this advice and warning. – A sixth grade girl.

Afghanistan is a brave, proud and dignified country. Afghans are known worldwide for their courage and independence, and they live dignified and honorable lives wherever they happen to be. But there are our enemies and treacherous people who betray, attack and/or wish us harm. Afghans do not harm or attack other countries, because we are good Muslims and human beings – an eight grade boy.

Peace means co-existence, friendship, tranquility and cooperation. Human beings need peace. Wherever there is peace, people are happy and comfortable; and such people can better serve themselves, their families and their country. Our beloved country Afghanistan needs peace desperately. War and fighting have harmed our people deeply. Afghanistan is home to all Afghans, and they must/ should be able to live in peace, comfort, security and stability. We must study, get an education, rebuild the ruined nation, and partake in the progress and development of our country – An eighth grade boy.

I am so happy that our community leaders have built a school for us, and that I am in school. – A first grade girl.

A first grade girl recites a poem by Ahmad Shah ba ba – father and founder of today’s Afghanistan.

No matter how many countries I conquer and lead

I will never forget your beautiful gardens

I forget even the Dheli throne whenever

I recall the Pashtunkhwah majestic mountains

If you are not martyred in the Maywand (war against the British)

May God save you the shame of cowardice

Afghan children have endured a variety of difficulties during the lengthy nonstop wars. They have suffered both physically and emotionally, and this trauma continues unabated. They are sick and tired of war and fighting, because war has taken their mothers and fathers. Afghan children want/need peace. – A fifth grade girl.

Life acquires its true meaning when there is peace and security which brings beauty to all our surroundings; and when there is no sadness or sorrow. A life of peace is really beautiful and pleasant. – A fifth grade girl (writing and drawing a full-page flower).

In the name of Allah – the kind and the merciful. Peace in my opinion! Peace means freedom and tranquility in an Islamic framework. Peace is a condition where all the people live and feel free, equal, safe and secure. Students can pursue their studies without fear. Workers/people work without fear and provide for their families. But unfortunately, in our country, there has not been any peace. Peace here will come only when all Afghans are united, and all foreign meddling ended. When our people themselves rebuild our beloved country, and when we ourselves establish such an order whereby all our people are beneficiaries of  security, justice, dignity and fairness. And such a social order can be put in place under the banner of sharia(Islamic juisprudence) and Islam. – A sixth grade girl.

Knowledge means knowing, awareness and understanding. Allah, almighty, differentiates between the learned and the ignorant by asking “Are those who don’t know the same as those who do?” Clearly, there is a difference between darkness and light. So if/when there is no education, there can be no peace- A sixth grade boy.

I learn in school; I am very happy in school, and enjoy it a lot –Writing and drawing by a fourth grade girl.

My ideas about the environment: it is everyone’s duty to keep our environment clean. We all enjoy and want clean livable surroundings. Cleanliness is half of our religious principles. We must all keep our homes and streets clean. No one gets sick in a clean environment. I help clean my home (writing and drawing by a fourh grade girl).

A first grade girl recites/writes someone’s poem:

When the torch of knowledge lightens your heart

Then, your heart will be filled with faith/belief

Our home, village and country are built with knowledge, enlightenment, and wisdom(ananymous).