Here are some of our favorite photos taken throughout Afghanistan during 2004 – 2006. We were both actively involved in different projects such as receiving, organizing, and distributing clothing and school supplies to orphanages, women’s shelters, hospitals, refugee camps and outlying villages.

The Afghans we met and befriended have a special place in our hearts. We have been forever touched by their hospitality like none other, and we will always smile when we think of the two wonderful years we spend living in Afghanistan.

Many of our favorite photos center around young Afghan children…they are definitely the future of Afghanistan! We pray that they will be able to grow up and live their adult lives freely and fervently hope that the totalitarianism of Taliban rule does not descend once again upon Afghanistan. For further insight into Afghanistan, two must reads are Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and “The Kite Runner”…both provide a rare and unforgettable glimpse into Afghan culture.


Bamiyan village is a highlight to any visit to Afghanistan…a definite “do not miss”	The remnants of a Buddha painting in one of Bamiyan’s many caves. Note how the Taliban destroyed the Buddha’s face…The Taliban’s many atrocities were on full display here at Bamiyan	Two laborers engrossed in their work: Bamiyan

While some youngsters had on winter boots, we were shocked by how many wore simple flip flops! It was really cold in February and the refugees simply didn’t have adequate warm clothing	Becky and Robby posing in front of the massive Buddha niche in Bamiyan	We were pleased to see that some of the refugee women were not covered from head to toe beneath the blue burqas

A portrait of the refugee men	One of Bamiyan’s many cave like complexes	Hundred of refugees waited patiently for their turn to receive donations

After word of our donations broke out at the refugee camp, the lines simply swelled	Another ancient Buddha painting defaced by the Taliban	Caught red handed! Robby picks up this mischievous youngster who kept crawling beneath the concertina wire into our “staging” area in an effort to get first dibs at the donations…he was too adorable

These young children waited patiently for their turn at receiving donations; refugee camp on the outskirts of Kabul	The young and the old were all out to get some donations to keep warm during one of Afghanistan’s harshest winters. Sadly, the night before we arrived, 6 members of the refugee camp froze to death…that made our mission there even more important as we had hundreds of warm blankets and clothes to distribute	Organized at last! There is indeed a method to the madness and chaos only ensues when foreigners visit the orphanage and the strict regimen goes out the window

The boys jostle amongst themselves to get situated in the mandatory line formation at the Allahuddin Orphanage	The boys at Allahuddin Orphanage huddle together on the bottom bunk in an afternoon of play	Yet another awesome view of Kabul’s landscape

Many of the Afghan houses out in the country look like they are built out of mud, and tiny walls are built to separate an owner’s property from his neighbors	Young boys wait in line patiently to receive brand new jackets and shoes at the Tahi Maskan Orphanage	Afghanistan’s countryside can be poetically beautiful at times

These brick kilns look really cool from up above	Boys flashing the “thumbs up” sign; Tahi Maskan Orphanage	A magnificent aerial view of Kabul’s outskirts

Becky and Robby load up their van full of donation before making a trip out to a nearby refugee camp	Becky and some friends pose in front of a Russian helicopter at Kabul airport	A village elder directs traffic at the refugee camp distribution

This young woman’s eyes mesmerized us. They were a gorgeous hue of green	Carpet seller in Kabul’s weekly bazaar	Afghan boys enjoying themselves in the snow

Becky directs an Afghan woman towards the next distribution station	Winter descends upon Kabul	Girls lined up to receive stuffed toys; Allahuddin Orphanage

Becky at the Allahuddin Orphanage getting the boys organized to receive donations of toys and kites…Afghan boys absolutely LOVE flying kites!	Check out his smile! This young boy is thrilled with his new fleece scarf and proudly shows it off	Notice the warm fleece blankets on their beds? These boys were super well behaved after they received donations of multi colored fleece blankets and scarves from a church group back home

Another angle of the boys and their coveted fleece blankets to keep them warm through the winter	We nicknamed this heartbreaker “Timmy” and when he saluted us, we simply melted…he is such a precocious little kid that all of us wanted to adopt. Sadly, the Afghan government will not allow non-Muslims to adopt Afghan children	Becky distributing blankets to a line of young women at the Allahuddin Orphanage

Becky hanging out with several young boys at the Allahuddin Orphanage. Notice their neatly made beds!	Young boys hanging out of their window at Allahuddin Orphanage trying to get us to take their photo	These little heartbreakers will not be allowed to remain uncovered for much longer. We saw young girls donning the headscarf almost as a rite of passage into adulthood

These Paghman village boys proudly wear their donated clothes	Young boy takes a break from lunch; Allahuddin Orphanage	A girl pumps water the old fashioned way at the Allahuddin Orphanage

Boys chowing down at Allahuddin Orphanage	Robby and an Afghan boy arm wrestle much to the merriment of the boys at the Tahi Maskan Orphanage	Robby poses with several Tahi Maskan Orphanage boys

This young boy is dressed in his traditional best as dad leads him out for a stroll	The boys cling to Robby during a visit to the Tahi Maskan Orphanage	Becky and some friends climb aboard a decrepit Russian tank nearby Paghman village. The surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning and a visit to beautiful Paghman is a must in the springtime!

The children of Paghman village are super excited to receive donated boxes of toys and clothing	Becky is swarmed by boys vying for her attention at the Tahi Maskan Orphanage…many of these young boys have picked up quite an extensive English vocabulary and they are quite keen on practicing their newfound English speaking skills every chance they get	An entourage of burqa clad women stick together as they make their way through their village

A parting shot of Paghman village, one of the prettiest villages on the outskirts of Kabul	Becky and several Paghman village boys pose beside an ancient archway	The children of Paghman village were constantly giggling and following us every where we went in the village

Full smiles abound today in Paghman village after the entire village shows up to take in their share of donations from the States	Becky calms the boys down enough to take a group photo just before the soccer game commences	This young girl hurried excitedly to retrieve her share of the donations, all while sporting a beautiful head scarf held perfectly in place

A shepherd minding his herd	Afghan children are a delight. Here, the children are clowning around waiting for us to distribute warm clothes and blankets at a refugee camp	What a spectacular view! As seen from an abandoned archway near Paghman village

All three of these men proposed marriage to Becky. They were quite funny about it and had her rolling in laughter. The fact that Robby was nearby didn’t deter them at all!	A young girl precariously balances a large bowl on her head while attempting to keep modest with her head scarf perfectly in place	Smiles of disbelief that we would actually make a trip up to Paghman village in the torrential downpour

The children of Paghman village were all huddled around this stove pipe in an effort to stay warm…little do they realize the dangers of the stove pipe…we saw far too many burns at the hospital ward that makes us really sad that the populace isn’t more educated on the dangers of heat and fire	The villagers of Paghman were all gathered beneath this blue tarp in anticipation of our arrival. The rain did not keep any of them away! Notice there are no womenfolk…they were elsewhere under their sky blue burqas watching us from a distance	This boy’s smile absolutely made our day…he was dripping wet from head to toe, but staying warm beneath a donated winter jacket

Resistance is futile! The boys are actually quite charming, and they are very appreciative for the clothing donations (especially on such a cold, drizzly day!)	The girls are beautiful and shy at Paghman village	Becky finds out the boys aren’t shy at all. They have a million questions to ask her, and are all constantly pulling her in a bunch of different directions