This last week I wrote most of a blog post I planned on publishing on Friday like I normally do and then something happened on Wednesday that changed my mind. I will still publish the one I already wrote, just another week. I’m just planning ahead for when I have writer’s block.
On Wednesday we were privileged to be able to escort six Afghan women onto the base. These women are part of an organization called Free to Run. The mission of Free to Run is: to use running and outdoor adventure to empower and educate women and girls who have been affected by conflict. We support those living within conflict areas as well as those who have been forced to flee their country and live as refugees. Free to Run operates on the basic principle that sport is a human right and not a luxury. Recently the first ever Afghan Ultra-Marathon Team completed a 250km race across the Gobi Desert. Two of the six girls who came to run with us were part of the team. It was awesome to be running with them. Please go to www.freetorun.org to read more about what they do and see how you can help.
The Gobi Desert Girls! They are even wearing shirts from the half marathon we did on the base in October…they came that day and ran with us! (although then I had no idea who they were)
There is one young U.S. female, Taylor, who works for Free to Run and lives here in Kabul. She courageously trains these women. She is living in an apartment on her own in Kabul. That takes guts and thick skin. The Afghanistan group consists of approximately 150 women who just want to exercise. Taylor came on Wednesday night with the six Afghan women who came to run. She was telling me that when they first started training they only had access to a 100 meter track for running. Many of these women were training for ultra-marathon distances and they were repeating the same 100 meter track countless times. I will never again complain about the endless circles I do here. At least our route is just over one mile and safe. The dedication it takes to do what they do is amazing, but there is more to their running that is even more inspiring. Every time these women set foot outside to run they are taking a risk. Afghanistan is inherently unsafe and especially for women. These women run outside completely covered enduring rude and demeaning comments from their fellow Afghans. Yet they train hard and are competing in some of the hardest races the world has to offer.
Our normal Sunday running group met us and we all ran together with the Afghan female runners. One of the Afghan women had just joined the group and this was her first run ever. Within our group there was a smaller group that stayed with her the entire run. As we ran we naturally broke out into different ability levels, yet we were all waiting for each other when the 5k ended to high-five and congratulate each other as we finished. It was so special to be able to give these women a safe place to run. We gave them a place they could run freely without the worry of being heckled. Some of them even removed their head scarves while they ran. I was extremely touched to be part of something so amazing. The joy these women were exuding was something I have never seen before. A moment I will truly never forget and certainly makes being here in Afghanistan worth it!
When we were done running the Dutch National Support Element (NSE) hosted us for dinner. They purchased pizza for everyone and we shared in each other’s company. The Dutch were so kind to share their space with us. Every single Dutch citizen on the base came and welcomed the girls. They really added to the amazing night. They allowed us to continue to show the Afghan female runners hospitality.
There is a curfew for everyone in Kabul, so by 8:30 that evening we had to escort them off the base so they would arrive home prior to curfew. As we were walking them to the gate to leave three of the women were giggling like young school girls (which they are probably not much older than school girls). Another Afghan female runner asked me if I knew why they were giggling, and since I only understand about ten words in Dari of course I said no. She explained they were giggling because in their culture they are not allowed to touch another man in public and especially not their hands. When we finished running we gave everyone high-fives so they were touching men’s hands. Then when we left the Dutch NSE people were once again high-fiving and in some cases hugging. All of these social norms of touch that are normal for all of us are very strange for them, although watching them giggle leads me to believe they enjoyed the touch! Again watching the Afghan girls smile and laugh and be free brought me such joy. My heart was overflowing the entire time we were with them.
After we dropped the Afghan female runners off at the gate I went back to my room to shower and go to bed. I was on such a high from having spent time with these special Afghan women. I was about to get in the shower when our base alarm went off locking down the base. This only happens when there is an eminent threat. My heart just sank and I was quickly reminded of the reality of where I am. I was extra sadden because I had just taken six Afghan women back out into those streets where the threat is real. I was acutely aware of the good people who are out there every day facing this threat. For two hours on a Wednesday evening we were able to bring them in and give them a safe place to run, laugh, be free of head gear, and allow them to forget. The unfortunate part is that it was only temporary and afterwards they had to return to their reality. I am so thankful that I was able to be part of an escape for them, even for only a few hours.
The threat that triggered the alarm was quickly removed and fortunately no one was injured in the process. The bad guys were arrested, and at least for now, removed from the streets so they can’t terrorize the good people of Afghanistan.
Darchelle's Vacation with Uncle Sam 