As I sit watching tonights news with the headlines farewelling the latest soldiers to loose their lives in Afghanistan it reminds me how much the Afghan people need our help. I was impressed to read a comment in yesterday's paper from the Mother of one of the Australian soldiers who said how proud she was of her son and that he had gone there not because he was told but because he wanted to help the people of Afghanistan. What a great Aussie bloke - she should be proud. My sincere respects and thoughts to his family and friends.
I am relieved to know that more than 80% of Australian soldiers who have been killed since 2002 have met their fate in a province just north of Kandahar, which is in the south east and nowhere near where I will be travelling.
I am heading there via Delhi on July 9th. Today I applied to the airlines for some free excess baggage so that I can take some blankets, clothes and toys for the orphans I am going to photograph. All these items have been donated by generous Australian donors - thank you to them.
A colleague at work is also helping me get the 'appropriate' clothing. Her Mum owns an Indian clothing store in Sydney's West and I need to get some shelwar kameez tops to wear. I have opted for black, brown or navy - anything to hide the grime and dirt.
So the idea is that I travel to a group of orphanages in Kabul and the Panjshar Valley, interview them about their lives and the reality of 'Childhood in Afghanistan' and take their pictures. I think it will be pretty heart wrenching hearing most of these stories.
Apparently 30% of children in Afghanistan have fought in a war - that is a sad and shocking statistic.
I am hoping to travel to Herat and Bamyan too subject to finding the appropriate escort.
So its less than a month - I am practicing my Dari - salamalakam to you all.
Speak soon
from
Maureen the Intrepid
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First post! Thank you for putting up this blog darling. It will be thrilling to keep tabs on you before, during and after your journey.
ReplyDeleteLove this blog layout, it's really easy to read. You've done a corking job. I will read you often :)
kisshuglove to you,
CAW xxx
What a great idea Mausie. Am looking forward to being your blog fan! It's much nicer to be able to worry and read about you, than just worry. Catharine
ReplyDeleteHey Maus. What a fabulous thing you are doing to combine social justice, technology and beauty (for however challenging in situation, your photographs are indeed beautiful evoking a powerful connection between us, the viewer and the person at the other end of the lens).
ReplyDeleteGodspeed. x Sarah
I look forward to seeing a pic of you in your Afghan clothing, sounds interesting. Take care. Gwen xx
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