Bitter sweet, bitter sweet, bitter sweet is the feeling that fills the air today as all the team awoke for our final full day in Kabul. Sick is the other feeling half the team had the privilege of experiencing throughout the day. However, the majority of the team was able to pick itself up and venture forth for another day in Barek Aub. If there is one place that has the ability to encourage us to push through our own personal Pepto Bismol commercial, it is Barek Aub. At the mere mention of the name you can see life return to the faces of everyone in the room.

 

The plan was to attend a recognition ceremony for the people of Barek Aub who have been volunteering in the community. These volunteers do many jobs, one of which is teaching local mothers how to better care for their children. With the addition of clean water and a basic health center to the community a lot of education is taking place to teach the people how to best take advantage of these great resources.

 

When we pulled up to the medical center (where the ceremony would be held) the children were already gathered to welcome us. There was just enough time before the ceremony to catch up with friends made just two days earlier. I remember our first day in Barek Aub looking into their faces and feeling such a deep, resounding pain for their circumstances, but in light of our experience yesterday at the refugee camp, though the pain is still there, I can’t help but notice the glimmer of hope represented in the faces of these young ones who carry the future of their people on their shoulders.

 

Once inside we were made aware that only the ladies were invited into the ceremony seeing as all the volunteers are women. This posed a unique opportunity for the guys to sit down and have tea while several community elders came in to introduce themselves and thank us for Flatirons’ involvement in their community.

 

 

Wile the men gathered together in one room in the clinic, sitting on toshaks (mattress-couches) and drinking tea, we women gathered in the Community Development Education (CDE) training room for the appreciation ceremony. The head of CDE for the organization spoke to the women, encouraging them and highlighting the importance of their work. (This same woman trained each of these CHWs.) One of the long term staff shared, and our female "elder" also shared our honor to join with them and thanking them for their vital work. Women from 16 to over 40 were there – the future of this community. When the CHW director talked about the future, using micro-loans to start small businesses, every woman in the room raised their hand to signify their interest. Wow. The drive is there. The hope for something better. The joy in the progress made.

 

It was truly an honor to be among these women. Their strength made me acutely aware of my "easy" life. I felt blessed to stand among my teammates in a receiving line, congratulating each CHW..."Tashakor!" (Kiss right cheek, kiss left cheek, and kiss right cheek) "Tashakor!"

 

As we got ready to head out, a few kiddos meandered into the room. Almost immediately I spotted a young girl from last summer, one we interviewed with her family in her home, hearing their story. Oh, my heart... one of the staff translated as I told her that I remembered her and how we had spoken with her family. Blank stare. Disappointment mixed with understanding. As I sat patiently, watching my teammates and the other kiddos, this sweet girl, Sunya, sidled up beside me. Slowly, she warmed to me. Smiles. Giggles as we played with my camera. Watching her eyes as she caressed her image on the camera's screen. My heart melted.

 

Saying goodbye came too soon. Blowing kisses to the girls from the back of the car. "Khoda hafez!" (Goodbye!) I wish I knew how to say "Until next time!" ...until next time, my sweet, strong, hopeful children. May God shine His face upon you!

 

 

As I speak with the Afghans and some of the returning team members I begin to catch the big picture of exactly how much work Flatirons has made possible in this settlement and how much is yet to come. Where there was once nothing more than a dusty plain there are now houses, where there was once empty dirt there are now trees, and where there was once no hope there is now a school and community under construction, all built by the Afghans themselves and funded by Flatirons.

 

Once the ceremony was finished we met as a team to decide the rest of the day’s events. Part of the team opted to return to Kabul in an attempt to catch some rest and hopefully start feeling better. The rest of the team carried onward to one last visit to Istalif. The contrast between Istalif and the rest of Afghanistan is startling. They enjoy as privilege what we everyday take for granted. Fresh flowing water that is clear and without garbage; cool, clean, life-giving mountain air; trees, vineyards, gardens, and finally…life. Then, like a punch to the stomach we are brought back to Afghan reality – there are white painted checkmarks on most buildings all throughout Istalif. If there is a white checkmark on the building it means a demining company has checked the building and it is now clear of landmines and safe to return.  But a building with no checkmarks means it has yet to be cleared and it is unsafe to enter.  While there are lots of checkmarks, there are far too many still without.

 

Once we returned to the guest house most of the team caught some quick rest before beginning to pack our pink luggage with thousands of pieces of local hand-knit stocking caps for selling in the States. Once this was complete our host treated us to a farewell dinner out in town where we all sampled some of the most amazing Afghan traditional foods. It was quite a treat. As for tonight, we are heading to bed unfortunately awaiting the rise of the sun, which will bring with it our flights home. We will all miss Afghanistan and our new friends dearly. We have all been changed in our own ways, some small and some immensely. One thing is for sure…we will all long for the day we can come back and see some of the most amazing people in the world – now our friends and family – one more time.

 

--Jeremy