Bread and Beggars

There is a Dari saying that: "If there is only bread and onions, still have a happy face." Meaning: "Be content with such things as you have." The bread is a staple of their diets, along with rice and tea.

Here is a boy on his way home to the family from the market....


Beggars abound here. Everywhere you turn there are tiny little children selling everything from bracelets to chicklets to puppies. They will hound you 'gimme dollar gimme dollar' and occasionally throw in "gimme euros, gimme euros" if they decide we look European. You might think "aw, look this poor child is begging for money for his own food" and as soon as you give him anything you see him run back to the 'boss' and hand over the money. They are just pawns....

This is a boy we see most every day when we walk to work. He's always cleaning the sidewalks, keeping it as litter free as possible where our guards stand. He'll also 'clean' the sidewalk with water from the storm drain to minimize the dustyness. He always smiles and speaks to us in clear(ish) English, making an effort to be polite. He has never once asked us for anything.

You don't see that here. EVER. Jack and I give him money every two or three days. The adults here could learn a little of his work ethic.