Kabul Kids' Shoes

It is cold in Kabul. Notice the baby being carried has no shoes.

Here is the first recipient of a great pair of red shoes from a Woods' Academy girl. Notice the picture she is holding. She is the daughter of a hospital worker and this is taken inside Rabia Balkhi.

Here Ms. Murphy is modeling morality, teaching youth to treat themselves and others from a perspective of the golden rule. In giving shoes to the children of Afghanistan, the youth bring morality as well as comfort to the recipients. They can stop and think how it is they would like to be treated if in a similar situation. Thinking about how you would like to be treated helps extend the golden rule to others.

Democracy requires each and every one of us. (from Eleanor Roosevelt, 1941) Every child should receive training to help end poverty and make the world a better place to live. Parents and kids work together to learn first hand how to help their fellow citizens. This is a bagging party - some shoes had Blow-Pops in them.

This gentleman is the cook for the hospital and he is serving lunch to the patients. He is widowed and has 4 small children, all under the age of 7. He received a bag of shoes for his children. I believe he is also wearing one of Mr. Cosimano's donated jackets.

This girl had her sandals (and bare feet) replaced with a great pair of new black boots from a Woods Academy student. She is holding the picture and was greatly appreciative.

This just shows the need. This toddler is in a room that is cold despite the wood stove.

Here the mother got a bag of shoes. I cannot describe the gratefulness.

Pashtoon and her 13 year old son, Ali. We had a shoe distribution party at their house.

The first recipient, Omar who is 6 years old.

Happy Valentine's Day from the first 3 kids to get shoes, Omar, Meetsa and Ali.

This is girl received a pair of hot pink sandals. She was very happy. She and her 3 siblings live with a widowed mother.

Here the kids are trying on shoes to get the perfect one. It was a fun day because Pashtoon moved the kids in by whole family groups and it was warm in her room. The entire neighborhood is in poverty but Pashtoon invited in the families where a mother or father has died, leaving a single parent for support.

This girl lost both parents and lives with her siblings and aunt. She is beautiful and so very mature - 12 yearts old. I have a close up of her - "Do Good"

These boys are also happy with the shoes, each had a story to tell.

Another shoe recipient holding 2 pictures.

This mother is from an outlying village and has 5 children. She was picking out the ones that would fit. I left 10 boxes with Pashtoon. She has had requests for shoes from people who heard about the availability - one groupof children arrived at midnight after walking for hours. Pashtoon and her family are God-sends. They got the word out and are accomodating the poorest of families in their area.

Oh how happy Meetsa was to get these white party shoes. She is Pashtoon's daughter. Her father, Dr. Azfar, is next to her. The family spent the last 10 years (most of Meetsa's l;ife) as refugees in Pakistan. They fled Afghanistan with the clothes on their backs. They returned last summer.

Another Wood's Academy donation and a happy Kabul kid.

Ms. Murphy and the Woods' Community. I saw her and her shirt says "Do Good". I hope you copy this and put it on the bulletin board. I took this for you !

These were a favorite pair of shoes ! The kids and adults wanted them in various sizes. So, whomever donated these, they were popular.

These boys found the soup in the boots (next picture). When the kids found the blow-pops, they returned them to me, thinking the donor forgot them ! Such honesty.........................a true Afghan virtue.

Story behind this one is: Ahmed (Pashtoon's son) originally picked these, however, when the other kids started coming in, he gave them up eagerly so this boy got a good pair of boots. He gave the soups to the kids above. The boy sitting behind him on the couch is his brother (18 years old) and head of the household. He is a shopkeeper and sells gum, matches, and other small items. He receives his stock from an uncle. He supports an entire family by this effort.

Look at these little girls and their new boots. The one in blue burst into tears after this, thinking (I guess) that she was going to be separated from her beloved plastic sandals. 3 year old thinking !! Very healthy. This was taken in the hospital at the entrance way. Notice that three out of four children are suffering from the skin disorder, leischmaniasis

This young fellow took a new pair of shoes to replace his rubber clogs . (He had no socks). He is from a village outside of Kabul and was helping bring a sick grandmother to the hospital.

These two women were so happy to have shoes for their families. Just the look on their faces shoes how difficult life is here in Afghanistan. They are widowed and have children to support. They both work as cleaning women in the hospital. Their shift is 24 hours long.

Here is a Woods' Academy donation. Thank you.

This 8 year old has a new pair of sandals, He also has the chronic skin infection, Leishmaniasis. This is a major health problem for kids.

She is showing me a coloring page from this summer. Coloring books are still treasured - particularly animal pictures.

Here is Clyde Parkis, admistrative volunteer faculty. Thanks to Clyde, my first 20 boxes of shoes were delivered from the military base to my room - and on to the kids. First week - 20 boxes (400 pairs) distributed.

The next few are for Woods Academy. Look here, a Saturday sizing up kids in a village just south of Kabul.

Woods' students - look here, you are making a difference to these children in Kabul.

Another Woods' student picture.

More Woods' student.

This is Hugh from Woods' Academy - a big thank you.

Outside the house we gave shoes away.

More shoe recipients.

Me and the kids - best days of my life are being here with the children. This is taken at Pashtoon's house. we are standing in front of the "kitchen" room. The children are from one of her neighbor families - all related. You must see the next picture.

100 year old grandpa w/ 3 wives, 45 children. Amazing life.