When asked about his hopes and dreams, Abdul said he hopes to someday open his own plumbing business. When he opens his first shop he wants to make a big sign that says “Hamid Plumbing Service, made possible by SOZO” (our host organization). Like all the Afghan men we’ve met, Abdul is extremely thankful for the training he has received and wants to tell others so that they, too, can learn about ways to change their lives.
Both teams were honored to leave behind a small amount of food items for both Waheed’s and Abdul’s family.
After leaving Abdul’s home, our teams reconnected at the guest house, packed hastily, and had a final lunch before our hosts – in typical Afghan fashion – held a brief farewell ceremony to honor us. They again thanked us profusely for coming in person to visit them and for everyone’s effort to provide the school for the street kids and the Adult Training Center, both of which are truly changing lives in Afghanistan. They asked us to share their stories with our friends and families back home and gave us some gifts to remember them by.
I spoke for the team and made it clear that we are very thankful for the wonderful gifts, but nothing is needed to remember them by… we are reminded of them every day and they are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
After a flurry of hugs and tearful good-byes, we were off to the airport where new operational changes and improvements to the terminal itself have made the departure process much simpler and smoother.
We are headed for Dubai so that’s all for now. I’ll let you know when we touch down in Denver.
Thank you again – and again and again! – for your support and prayers throughout our journey.
--Bob
(*not their real names,changed for security reasons)
Both teams were honored to leave behind a small amount of food items for both Waheed’s and Abdul’s family.
After leaving Abdul’s home, our teams reconnected at the guest house, packed hastily, and had a final lunch before our hosts – in typical Afghan fashion – held a brief farewell ceremony to honor us. They again thanked us profusely for coming in person to visit them and for everyone’s effort to provide the school for the street kids and the Adult Training Center, both of which are truly changing lives in Afghanistan. They asked us to share their stories with our friends and families back home and gave us some gifts to remember them by.
I spoke for the team and made it clear that we are very thankful for the wonderful gifts, but nothing is needed to remember them by… we are reminded of them every day and they are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
After a flurry of hugs and tearful good-byes, we were off to the airport where new operational changes and improvements to the terminal itself have made the departure process much simpler and smoother.
We are headed for Dubai so that’s all for now. I’ll let you know when we touch down in Denver.
Thank you again – and again and again! – for your support and prayers throughout our journey.
--Bob
(*not their real names,changed for security reasons)