The True Story of Life in Afghanistan

 A few days ago I wrote an article promoting my new website to help those less fortunate and in the process I received a comment left on my article that was not what I was expecting. It was a comment from an 18 year old boy who comes from Afghanistan and he seemed to want to voice his opinion on what our beliefs about his country are and what is the truth.

After reading the comment I could feel my blood pressure rising and wanted to ream this guy out, but I decided that instead of acting like both our Governments act and fight at the drop of a hat, it may benefit all of us if I talked to this young man and really found out the truth about life there for myself. Propaganda aside just him and me and what really is important for the people who live in that land.

I decided I would email Khalid and ask if he would be willing for me to interview him and he said he would, so this is that interview. I only ask that no matter where you live in this great big world keep an open mind and listen to what one family has gone through since this all began….

Khalid when young lived in the Logar Province of Afghanistan where him and his family were farmers cultivating wheat, maze, fruit and vegetables for their every day needs. When the Russian invasion began many escaped to Pakistan. Only the woman and children left their country because of the violence they had ensued from the Russians. The men in his family stayed behind to defend their country. Families torn apart as war was upon them began Khalid’s traumatic young life.

A day in the life of an Afghan consists of spending most of the day trying to get a one time meal and that the people will do almost anything to feed their families. He said the Afghan Nation is capable of anything they just need to be educated to prove themselves.

I asked Khalid what his view on American soldiers being there is and his reply was that when the troops first came to Afghanistan it was supposed to be to save the people, but every day the violence is increasing and the war on terror is no longer a mission for Americans and that it is a conflict that only time can change. The world has witnesses bombings from Americans in Qandhar thinking that the Taliban was there but blowing up a wedding ceremony and killing many civilians. As I write these words I feel surreal. I cannot imagine seeing or living in a place where you have no clue what will take place next. Whether you will survive to see the light of day.

Khalid made it clear that the people of Afghanistan think differently about Americans depending on the person and their point of view. When it comes to politics most people have negative thoughts of America, but many want to come to live here to escape the hardships in their lives. Afghanistan’s economy is in horrible shape and I don’t have to explain why.

I asked him if he could change one thing in Afghanistan what would it be and he replied a government that is not corrupt. Now in Afghanistan the Government is weak. Those countries who try to help Afghanistan by sending funds should take responsibility and make sure they send the funds to the right person. With a corrupt Government poor people are dieing from hungry.  Apparently many funds came into the country for the people who live there but they never saw any of that, the government used it for themselves. He stated he would love to bring these leaders to court to make everyone involved accountable for their wrong doings and also he would enforce the law on everyone.

Khalid wishes for world education. He feels if everyone was educated they could prove they are not the people everyone thinks they are. The education system in Afghanistan, Kabal which is the capital of Afghanistan  have no facilities for students. Teachers make a very low salary and they teach with less attention. For the countries students this means less comforts in classes because they sit on the floor and have teachers that really do not care.  Khalid feels that if in the next generation they are better educated then there will be less problems in his Country.

I asked what his government does for the people who are going through loosing their homes and families from war and his answer was this:

The Government cannot do anything because it is not the problem of one person or two. All Afghans from different lands comes back to Afghanistan and can’t find homes for themselves. The population has increased and lack of houses led them to suffer even more. Poor people live in deserts, mountains and dried lands are suffering from cold and hunger. The Government cannot give attention to those people because the fundamentals have failed to prove itself. No Matter how much the Government tries it will take many years to fix everything due to the violence and corruption within itself.

We spoke about all the unrest in the world today and if he could solve one thing to make it better what would it be and his answer was to end world hunger. He said it may not be on the top of the super powers list but if we help these third world countries by creating jobs everything would change. The main source of poverty to violence depends on one nations economic system. Everyone should have the right to live in peace and using violence this can never be obtained. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Khalid lived in Pakistan until last year where he moved to further his education and support his four brothers and two sisters. He also holds a job working before and after school and plays cricket on Fridays. He stated he is the only 18 year old holding a full time job and going to school at the same time. Khalid says it is very hard for him trying to learn a new language. Once his education is complete he plans to return to Afghanistan to help rebuild his country.

I believe Khalid is a young man of 18 but holds knowledge that many never achieve. After writing this article I feel I know his world a bit better. I can understand why some things that shouldn’t happen does and most of these feats are done just to survive. I find myself wondering if me a woman from America can have compassion and try to understand others unlike myself, why can’t Governments follow Khalid and my lead. How can they be so eyes wide shut and begin a war without even thinking about the impact will be on the civilians who live there are.

As an American I know deep in my heart I do not believe we should be fighting a war there, I ask myself why after eight years do we remain? We seem to have not accomplished much in our time in Afghanistan. How many of our troops and how many Afghans need to die to satisfy both Governments? Why cant they act civil and sit down and work it out.

I know when Khalid and my relationship began a few days back I also got flustered and thought of lashing out, but only for an instant and because I kept my cool this interview took place. We come from opposite sides of the tracks, with our countries fighting against each other, but it does not have to be that way. We are the proof! People are people no matter their beliefs and we all bleed red.

I find myself realizing that Khalid and myself are so much alike in our beliefs and solving these issues. I guess the point I am trying to make is this…Compassion is what I feel and compassion is what I showed. Khalid also showed the same to me or this interview would never have happened. More people should think the same way a young man from a Country America is at war with and a woman from the other side came together and tried to understand each others lives and points of view. We try to make a difference, if not for us then for those generations behind us.

Maybe Politicians should listen to the residents of their country, if they did maybe just maybe the little guys could solve these issues without so many people having to die.