All ten reasons why it is great to be in Afghanistan. The future.
Kabul from the air - cradle of civilization. Beautiful valley.
Another of the top ten - this is a little girl.
The nursery still looks great, has new equipment, stays toasty warm, and, thanks to the military, has been re-wired.
Nursery from a different view, the sinks work but only cold water - next phase is a water heater.
Pashtoon Azfar, (right) - my "sister girlfriend" in Afghanistan. She is extraordinary and has worked diligently over the past 5 months. Here she is posing with 3 babies (in the bed) and a nurse midwife. On the wall is the "BABIES" matrix, thanks to Pashtoon EVERY newborn is weighed and every WEIGHT counts in program planning.
An RBH doctor taking care of her mother after a surgery. The doctors, nurses and cleaners are working harder than ever and the rewards are plentiful: cleaner and safer place for women. Albert Einstein said "Nothing happens until something moves".
Dr. Johan, top pediatrician posing in front of the stabilization zone in the nursery.
Nurse and a warm baby who was quickly assessed and wrapped Afghan-style.
The rapid assessment by a skilled team.
The physicians have maintained their skills in intubation - this is a plastic doll they practice on.
Isn't she beautiful ? This is a hand-knit sweater available in the bazaar - Afghan-made.
The first group of kids to receive shoes. They were waiting patiently. Notice the snow covered hills behind them. The field directly behind is a graveyard. Over half these kids rely on 1 parent for support.
Ritual handwashing before lunch at the Azfar house where we had the shoe party.
Bazaar in Kabul.
Here are my friends in the Behzad Book Store on Chicken Street. The youth on the left (age 11) is the artist we enjoy ! The other boys are his cousins (ages 12-9)
This gentleman runs a vegetable market on Chicken Street - delicious food.
The best artist in Kabul. He is standing beside his latest work.
Anissa standing (with a little help).
Sara (Pashtoon's daughter) with one of the engagement flower bouquets for her uncle. Engagement parties are big family occasions - traditional bonding of people.
Re-painting the nursery. Afghan painters are great-they primed, repaired, sanded, and painted 3 huge rooms in 10 hours.
The painters working on the nursery's storage room being turned into a computer room.
"Do more than belong, participate. Do more than care, help. Do more than believe, practice. Do more than be fair, be kind. Do more than dream, work." -W.A. Ward
Clyde, Nate and Pashtoon with one of RBH's newborns (february 25th baby)
