Hope and Fear are two sides of the same coin

I know the title is provocative, especially in the current climate of giddy hope and optimism that our election results in the US have given to so many of us here and the rest of the world. I landed in Kabul on the 11th of November, 2008 and my friend's first sentences to me were, "Santwana, how are you? Congratulations on the election, we Afghans are happy for you". As I smile back, I can't help but think of the faces of family and friends, etched with concern as they hugged me goodbye and over and over said the same words, "Be safe; please be safe".

I'm here in Afghanistan right now, my fourth visit in the last three years. This time, God willing, I'll be here for two years working in the education sector, helping to rebuild portions of the education system. That is my paid work. I will also be volunteering for two organizations - both of them vested deeply in providing education and health care for girls and doing very, very good work.

My hope is to provide a perspective on the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Ask anyone - they will tell you that, "yes, a lot is going on, but it is not fast enough, security is deteriorating, and unless things improve for the better, it will fall apart". Every week, someone from the Afghan government, US government, United Nations, European Union etc. will talk about the shrinking window of opportunity and how hope is receding and fear is gaining.

I agree. I think the pace of reconstruction is not fast enough and I think the security is deteriorating. I also think that the solution lies from being willing to take on this task with good intentions, and in looking at methods that are an alternative to the current unsuccessful approach of solving violence through violence.

When we hope too much, and those are dashed, we are tempted to give up. When we fear too much, we are tempted to give up or perhaps not even to begin. Our biggest challenge is to operate out of clear and good intentions, engage the Afghans who are desperate for peace in this dialog, remain centered in the principles of active non-violence and to do the work that needs to be done without getting caught up in the illusions of hope and fear.

This post needs to remain short. I've been advised to do this by all my friends who are experts at blogging. I hope that my subsequent posts will offer further clarification on what exactly am I saying!!

In peace and thanks,
Imnotafraidinafghanistan