Afghanada

While we were travelling this summer we listened to a number of episodes of the CBC radio drama Afghanada. It is well done and thought-provoking. It happened that we heard one installment just as we were arriving in Ottawa where we visited the Canadian War Museum which opened last year.

Ruth was a little dubious about going but it is an excellent museum and we both felt we learned a great deal. Currently there is an exhibition on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan. It doesn't try to promote or justify our involvement. It does tell the story of what happens there. There is a poignant slide show featuring some of those who died with photographs from childhood through proms to their time of deployment. I can't imagine anyone not being moved.

We are also given the grim facts on malnutrition and illiteracy and poverty in Afghanistan. According the the UN half of the population gets less than 2400 calories a day, considered the minimum for health. Infant mortality is high. The stats also point out that 8 million people voted in the last election, including millions of women. Children are now getting an education and food is being delivered to areas of extreme poverty.

What should we think? Incessant war is the reason for much of this suffering, so why would more war be a solution? Yet the election wouldn't have taken place without the NATO presence.

These issues are seldom simple and we all want our troops to come home to safety. So we keep praying for peace.