A Son of Afghanistan at a Bakery (Kabul): The posters seen are of Ahmed Shah Masoud (The Lion of Panjir) who fought the Soviets and tried to build Afghan society. He stated that the number one goal was to take care of the children. The image of a hungry, homeless boy at a bakery with men eating their fill is telling and heartbreaking.
Brothers (Mazar e Shareef): Boys standing in front of their home in this northern city.
Qahar Bezid in His Studio (Kabul): Qahar had been profiled in Afghan news as "Afghanistan's Painter". He's seen here in his very cramped studio at Camp Eggers. His paintings almost always were of peaceful scenes that were before his time - he pained mainly off of his father's photos.
Jeers and Curses (Kabul): Most of the Afghan boys greeted us with hostility. This image evokes feelings of confusion for me. The Afghan Interior Ministry provides the background. We worked closely with their officials to build police stations and government offices throughout the country. The boys did not see this. They saw an occupation force.
The Smells of Afghanistan (Kabul): This image brings back the smells of Afghanistan provided by smoke of burning trash, untreated sewage, and decaying animal parts. This photo also provides me one of the few times that I saw a woman's face as they were mostly covered with blue burkahs. These ladies also showcase some beautiful, traditional, Afghan fabrics.
Boys' Day Out (Kabul): I like to imagine happiness in this image. A young man walking with his father and uncle and crossing a busy street.
Happy to See US (TV Hill, Kabul): TV Hill is an array of antennas that tower over Kabul City providing most of the phone and internet services. We were tasked with checking their electrical generators. Climbing a hill without a map on a road that was barely one lane was terrifying. The thought of going back down when anyone could know that we were trapped up top was even more so. These young ones showed us that we were welcome. As the villages on the mountain found out that we were coming, they sent their children out to cheer us. It was one of few times where I, and my team, felt safe outside the confines of our bases.
PFC Brison (Kandahar Air Terminal): This young soldier is one of hundreds I saw. Tired, lonely, and afraid.
Exhausted (Kabul): Red eyes half open, fully reclined on a old, dirty couch. This brings memories of how hard the work was on body, mind, and soul.
Off to School (Mazar e Sharif): Five boys walking to school. Their faces are pointed downwards in disapproval of our presence,
Unnamed Village (near Herat): This image and the two following are of a beautiful, idyllic village near the major city of Herat in Afghanistan's west. The area was lush and those we saw and met seemed relaxed with smiles for all. I enjoy the traditional building methods using fired, mud brick. Unfortunately, this village was within the area that was completely leveled during the last spate of earthquakes. With it being so remote and with the central government unable to respond, emergency services were unavailable, This village had always provided me a refuge in the memories of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, those are gone now, too.
Unnamed Village (near Herat): A simple home.
A Sheep Herder (unnamed village near Herat)
Welcome to Kabul (Bagram-Kabul Road): A quick shot, barely in focus.
Contentment (Refugee camp, Kabul): A striking, older gentleman near the refugee camp in Kabul. With all the difficulties in life, this man still showed us his spirit and hope.
This image was taken on the road from Bagram Air Base to Kabul, Afghanistan from the Humvee that was carrying us. At first look, it was a common scene of a poor family, likely with very little to eat or drink, squating on the side of the road, hoping for some small charity to keep them alive. What struck me were the eyes of the young man standing closest. This is January in the Afghan mountains. He and his family have no shelter and no protector. This child is cold, wind burned, and likely all his mother, brothers, and sisters have left. He is the sole provider where a mother, a woman, had no ability to work or even to be seen or heard. Where was his father? Uncles, aunts, grandparents?
He was maybe twelve years old. His eyes betrayed the hope and longing of a boy but the pain and experience of a man who had already lived a difficult life. He needed a protector and had none. I couldn’t help. The column of military vehicles couldn’t help - we had orders to Kabul.
This boy haunted me from my first days in Afghanistan and still does. I questioned myself
The image has been slightly retouched as I felt that doing any more would detract from the reality of the situation. It’s dirty and raw and is seen through my eyes. It made me feel the sense of isolation and hopelessness that I imagine he’d felt. It made me feel helpless and small - my first instinct was to jump out and help this child and his family but all I could do was reach into my pockets for any scrap of food to pass up to our turret gunner to pass to him.
Video: Filmed in collaboration with colleagues in Egypt that is meant for YouTube. This portrays common child abuse in Egypt with a father who comes home angry and takes it out on his child. It's meant to show the rage and hopelessness that a kid might feel in this young man's situation. It is melodramatic for my taste but rings true to Arab audiences. The actor's parents encouraged him to do this because they had seen this kind of maltreatment in their own lives. We hope to launch a campaign with more videos and resources so that kids can reach out. A second video depicting a young woman suffering sexual abuse is ready but we cannot find an actor with Egyptian culture being what it is.
Infinity (Ocean Shores, OR): Zoom in. There is detail at every level. The beauty of this image is in the definition and clarity through the level as one zooms in. Juxtaposed with the infinite ocean, this makes me feel nature's design.
Snowy Woods after Dawn: The darkness is split. The woods in the dim light give me a warm feeling.
Portrait of a Cedar
