Afghanistan!  When I learned that I would be doing my UN Volunteer work there, my initial reaction was concern for security.  After a series of consultations with my friends and families — and against everyone’s advice — I decided to go.  I’ve been with and under the UN family and went to Afghanistan under UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan) from June April 2004 to October 2006. After being in the private sector for almost 4 years, I needed to give something back.  In April 2004, I was boarded on the UN Humanitarian Air Service flight from Dubai to Kabul. 

For a tropical-kind-of-mindset-like me, I found that at first, the weather really shocked me.  Although I had experienced winter in few other countries I’d visited before, the winter weather I came to face in Kabul was something indeed totally different.  As soon as winter arrived, I knew I was in trouble.  It was so damn cold.  My body grew numb instantly, and my ears felt like they were about to fall off and I spoke like a 2 years old kid with unclear pronounciation.  As I walked to reach another building, I could see my own breath (and everyone else’s breath, too).  This was winter like I’d never seen before. 

The shock from the cold weather and everything else, however, was quickly eased by the warmth of those who worked at the office.  Underneath the heavy overcoats and thick cardigans, lay humble and affectionate hearts.  I fell in love with the Afghan people immediately… I began to form a family there already.

Kabul must have been a very beautiful city in the old times.  But now, the streets are swamped with beggars, mostly children and women.  Perched on hills, it’s a modern city devoid of modern facilities because of the war.  More than three million people live here.  Ninety-nine percent of all the vehicles on the streets are Toyotas.  Drivers are very skilled at finding their way around the traffic jams.  Old buildings are being renovated, and new ones spring up in all corners of the city.  There are beautiful mosques everywhere. 

I’ve been working as a UNV-Support Officer, overseeing the post-election implementation that UNAMA assisted the local government, among regular taskings like preparing reports and other office duties, my role was to ensur ethat UNV Staff members involvement tothe mission’s success was coordinated smoothly as well as helped the development of the gender mainstreaming in the mission’s wide UNV staffing. 

Depsite the fact that movement was restricted, I really enjoy traveling. I happened to get an opportunity to travel to the area in the North, I saw the most diverse and amazing landscapes in the whole world.  From the rocky, bare hills of Kabul, the scenery changed to tall, snow-capped mountains. The climax was the drive through the Salang Pass, one of the world’s highest road tunnels.  The hills were all covered in ice — it was beautiful and magnificent.  I can’t explain what I felt, except that it was so beautiful that it made me happy. 

There were smaller hills which looked like sand dunes.  They eventually stretched into endless plains where people grew wheat and grazed animals. 
I remember worrying about food before I arrived, only to find that the food here is fantastic.  With delicious bread at every meal, Afghans have diverse and advanced ways of cooking rice. 

They eat it plain, fried or with mutton and chicken, and spices, oil and onions.  The rice here never tastes bad.  Afghan tea, served with nuts and sweets, is another delight.

I must say that Afghanistan has received rather bad media coverage.  That bad publicity has made the country lose out on many opportunities. 

Afghanistan, especially Kabul and the northern parts, is as safe as any other places.  I want to encourage those who are thinking about becoming UNV volunteers in this part of the world.  The people are hospitable, and you can go about doing your work as you would anywhere else. 

As for those who are already serving in Afghanistan, I congratulate them and encourage them to continue to fight the good fight.  There are always things that have to be done here, and someone has to do them . . .