Afghanistan My Last Tour

Today’s mission was to visit the In Allauddin Orphanage in Kabul City and deliver school supplies, toys, clothing, hygiene items, and bring some happiness to the parentless children.  My team in conjunction with the camp team members formed the convoy.  Later on we would meet with the Afghan National Police (ANP) for this joint venture.  Maj “O” the

convoy commander gave the morning convoy brief and detailed the events for the day.  Despite going to the orphanage, our security was paramount.  We would have gunners in the armored HMMVWs along with security on the roof.  The rest of the participants would stay armed and interact with the children.  My job was to capture the images with my camera.

We arrived at our destination and after parking the HMMVW, I was greeted by some young boys.  They were dancing without music and seemed very happy with our presence.   I was able to take two pictures before I was surrounded by the boys.  Meanwhile, the trailer was being unpacked with the goody boxes and folding tables.  Everyone including the

Army Colonel helped to unload the trailer and segregate the boxes by gender.  The ANP also brought 2 female officers out for the event and they would be responsible for distributing the items to the little girls.

I peeked through the classroom windows and found more energetic boys.  One small boy gave me the thumbs up.  Prior to 2001, this

gesture was considered obscene.  But after 8 years of coalition forces using it, it has been adopted by the Afghan society.  I looked in another classroom and the teacher was still conducting class but allowed me take a photograph.  Notice how three boys are assigned to each desk.  Tonight after closer inspection of the photographs, I

noticed one of the boys was wearing an Old Milwaukee hat.

In the center of the orphanage was the school’s water source.  I watched as several students washed their hands and faces and an older lady filled her tea pot.  In comparison to the schools I saw in other provinces, this one was in pretty good shape.  By US standards, it would

never pass inspection.  The plastic playground was adjacent to the well and seemed to be a popular place where the kids hung out.

The ANP arrived along with the provincial director of the orphanage and his staff.  As part of the COIN philosophy, the items are distributed by the ANA or ANP.  This gesture helps to put a positive face on these

institutions because both of them have bad reputations and is slowly changing in the public eye.  This is also where mentoring from the coalition forces is effective too.  But it’s going to take time because the public views these organizations as corrupt.  Ordinary citizens are afraid to contact the ANP because they have been known to

steal from the owner’s house or demand a bribe in the name of justice.  Similarly the justice system here is antiquated and ineffective unless you have money.

The local media decided to show up along with the ANP photographers too.  They filmed the children receiving their goody bags and several photo ops of the director and his staff handing out items to the children.  While this was going on, I noticed a little girl was watching my every move.  She wasn’t shy like many of the other little girls.  Instead she motioned for me to come over to her.  I couldn’t resist her beautiful brown eyes and expressions.  She was so precious and the logo on her t-shirt “Sweet Heart” said it all.  I

took a couple of photographs and then her friend joined her.  They really liked having their picture taken.  Afterwards, they would come up to my camera and I would show them the images.  They seemed to nod in approval.

I attended the press conference with the interpreter and later would sit down with the female director to learn more details about this orphanage.  The orphanage was built 28 years ago and there are only 2 facilities in the entire province for orphans and we were at the one of them.  The other orphanage houses the older kids.  This particular orphanage houses about 250 kids and the other one can hold 350 kids.  The director informed me they assist

sometimes with single fathers who are in the ANA and deployed to the field.

The female director (no name) who my interpreter referred to as the “boss” detailed some of the challenges the orphanage faces.  The facility is funded by the Afghan government and they only provide the most basic sustenance, clothing, and outdated

textbooks.  For breakfast each child receives a half cup of tea and one slice of bread.  She asked if there was any way possible to provide milk for the children.  Unfortunately I was in no position to make any promises other than I would bring up her concern to the chain of command.  She also shocked me when she revealed the orphanage teachers only receive

$60 a month salary.  As a result, it’s hard to find quality teachers for such a meager sum.  My Inspector General senses were tingling because I witnessed other staff members, director, etc. arriving in expensive cars and a LandRover.  They were all dressed in expensive suits, ties, and wearing leather shoes.  Pretty nice for a government

salary.  I tried not to let this observation sway me from having a good time.  The smiles on the children’s faces were priceless and watching them clutch their notebooks, pens, and new toys was unforgettable.

We returned to the camp without incident and have already started planning for a future mission.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Afghan National Police, Afghanistan, ANP, Deployment, ETT, humanitarian mission, orphanage, U.S. Air Force, war