A little girl listens to the lessons during a class
A little girl listens to the lessons during a class at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan. Women enrolled in the program are paid higher than average wages for their ... More
Three local girls enjoy the Arzu Studio Hope garden
Three local girls enjoy the Arzu Studio Hope garden and playground in Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan, June 20, 2012. Women enrolled in the program receive higher than average compensation for their w... More
New Zealand navy Sub Lt. Nick Hobbs, and Army Capt.
New Zealand navy Sub Lt. Nick Hobbs, and Army Capt. Dave Foote, a nurse, both with Task Unit Crib, play soccer with boys from the Samar Orphanage in Bamyan, June 22, 2012. Soldiers from the New Zealand continge... More
A women walks her donkey past the cavity where one
A women walks her donkey past the cavity where one of the ancient statues, known as Buddhas of Bamiyan, used to stand June 17, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 507 and 554 and were the largest st... More
A UH-60 Black Hawk flies over the Bamyan river valley,
A UH-60 Black Hawk flies over the Bamyan river valley, June 24, 2012.
A local farmer works around an old Russian tank as
A local farmer works around an old Russian tank as he tends to his potato field June 17, 2012. Potato farming has become very important for the economy of Bamyan, as potatoes are the biggest cash crop for the l... More
New Zealand soldiers, Malaysian soldiers, and civilian
New Zealand soldiers, Malaysian soldiers, and civilian contractors with Task Unit Crib play a game of dodge ball on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 19, 2012. Soldiers from New Zealand and Malaysia have been... More
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi leaves a meeting
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi leaves a meeting at the Bamyan Cultural Hertiage Center with other Afghan dignitaries, June 18, 2012. Sarabi is the only female Afghan provincial governor in history.
A woman pulls weeds by an old Russian tank in a potato
A woman pulls weeds by an old Russian tank in a potato field in the Bamyan valley, June 16, 2012.
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi conducts a meeting
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi conducts a meeting at the Bamyan Cultural Heritage Center, as usual, the only woman in a room full of men, June 18, 2012. Sarabi is the only female Afghan provincial governor in history.
Two school girls watch through a window as soldiers
Two school girls watch through a window as soldiers from the Bamyan Malaysian Contingent, which is part of the Bamyan Provinicial Reconstruction Team, install a bio-sand filter water system on their school grou... More
Two girls play on a swing set at the Arzu Studio Hope
Two girls play on a swing set at the Arzu Studio Hope community garden and playground in Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan, June 20, 2012. Women enrolled the Arzu program receive higher than average com... More
A woman does her laundry at the Arzu Studio Hope compound
A woman does her laundry at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan, June 20, 2012. Women enrolled in the program receive higher than average compensation for their work a... More
Two young women weave a large rug at the Arzu Studio
Two young women weave a large rug at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley west of the town of Bamyan. Women enrolled in the organization’s program receive higher-than average compensation for thei... More
Soheila Rezai (seated) and her daughter, Zahra Nazari,
Soheila Rezai (seated) and her daughter, Zahra Nazari, sit in the beauty salon they own and operate in a mall in the Bamyan bazaar, June 25, 2012.
A young woman weaves a rug at the Arzu Studio Hope
A young woman weaves a rug at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley west of the town of Bamyan. The red markings on her hand are henna, decorations for a wedding she had attended earlier in the day... More
U.S. Army Col. Mark Lumpkin commander of ADT-2 (Agricultural
U.S. Army Col. Mark Lumpkin commander of ADT-2 (Agricultural Development Team) and a local Afghan farmer hold up bee hive frames containing bees in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on March 24, 2011. Afghan citizen... More
New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan
New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Unit Crib, teaches a class of schoolgirls during his English literacy class on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 2... More
An old Russian tank languishes in a potato field in
An old Russian tank languishes in a potato field in the Bamyan river valley, June 16, 2012.
Two women walk past the huge cavity where one of the
Two women walk past the huge cavity where one of the ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan, known to locals as the "Father Buddha," used to stand, June 17, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 507 and 554 and w... More
An employee of the Asadabad Demonstration Farm and
An employee of the Asadabad Demonstration Farm and Orchard uses a pick to dig a posthole on the farm after a gasoline-powered digger was unable to penetrate the rocky soil, Aug. 13. Despite the heat, employees ... More
U.S. Army Spc. Alan McFalls, of Polo, Ill. and U.S.
U.S. Army Spc. Alan McFalls, of Polo, Ill. and U.S. Army Capt. Robert Cosgriff, of Big Timber, Mont., both forestry experts for the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team, demonstra... More
Two local girls enjoy the Arzu Studio Hope garden and
Two local girls enjoy the Arzu Studio Hope garden and playground in Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan, June 20, 2012. Women enrolled the Arzu program receive higher-than average compensation for their w... More
Two local farmers tend to their potato field June 17,
Two local farmers tend to their potato field June 17, 2012. Potatoes have become the biggest cash crop for the large farming community in Bamyan - thanks in large part to efforts by the Bamyan Provincial Recons... More
A little girl listens to her teacher during a class
A little girl listens to her teacher during a class at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley west of the town of Bamyan. Women and children enrolled in the program are taught the skills to weave ru... More
A group of school children react to seeing themselves
A group of school children react to seeing themselves on the small screen of a video camera at the Bamyan Regional High School June 6, 2012.
New Zealand Sgt. Maj. Paxworthy, a native of Palmerston
New Zealand Sgt. Maj. Paxworthy, a native of Palmerston North, pulls security under an airplane wing at the Forward Operating Base Bamyan Airfield, June 15, 2012. The smaller of the two famous Buddha's of Bamiy... More
Two women sit and gaze at the cavity where the largest
Two women sit and gaze at the cavity where the largest of the Buddhas of Bamyan statues, known to locals as the "Father Buddha," used to stand, June 16, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 507 and 5... More
An American civilian carpenter known as "Cowboy", plays
An American civilian carpenter known as "Cowboy", plays with three boys who live at the Samar Orphanage in Bamyan, June 22, 2012. Soldiers from the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, led by the New Zealand ... More
A women walks her donkey past the cavity where one
A women walks her donkey past the cavity where one of the ancient statues, known as “Buddhas of Bamyan”, used to stand, June 17, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 507 and 554, and were the largest... More
Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police patrol the Bamyan
Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police patrol the Bamyan valley, past the cavity where an ancient statue, known as the "Father Buddha," used to stand, June 16, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 50... More
An Afghan farmer proudly drives his new two-wheel tractor
An Afghan farmer proudly drives his new two-wheel tractor home from a mechanization ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Feb. 6. Fifty tractors were sold to farmers of mid-sized Afghan farms at a subsidized ... More
U.S. Army Spc. Alan McFalls, of Polo, Ill., a forestry
U.S. Army Spc. Alan McFalls, of Polo, Ill., a forestry expert for the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team, unloads rolls of barbed wire at the Asadabad Orchard and Demonstration ... More
U.S. Army Capt. Robert Cosgriff, of Big Timber, Mont.,
U.S. Army Capt. Robert Cosgriff, of Big Timber, Mont., a forestry expert assigned to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team, carries barbed wire to be installed during a trainin... More
An employee of the Asadabad Demonstration Farm and
An employee of the Asadabad Demonstration Farm and Orchard nails a cross member to strengthen the corner of a barbed-wire fence during a fence-building demonstration given at the farm by members of the Illinois... More
An Afghan demonstrates the new two-wheel tractors at
An Afghan demonstrates the new two-wheel tractors at a mechanization ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Feb. 6. Fifty tractors were sold to farmers of mid-sized Afghan farms at a subsidized cost in an effo... More
New Zealand Army Supply Lance Cpl. Isaac King re-coils
New Zealand Army Supply Lance Cpl. Isaac King re-coils a fire hose during a stand-to drill on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 19, 2012.
U.S. Army Capt. Robert Cosgriff, of Big Timber, Mont.,
U.S. Army Capt. Robert Cosgriff, of Big Timber, Mont., a forestry expert for the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team, nails barbed wire to a fence post during a fence-building de... More
Dr. Shrikant Jagtap (center), the senior agriculture
Dr. Shrikant Jagtap (center), the senior agriculture adviser for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, and his interpreter, Hamidullah, discuss agricultural programs with Saywed Khadin, a potato farmer, in... More
Female students stream out of a school a couple of
Female students stream out of a school a couple of miles west of the town of Bamyan at the end of the class day June 17, 2012. There are more than 120,000 children enrolled in school in the province, and nearly... More
A group of school girls turn their heads away from
A group of school girls turn their heads away from a gust of wind and sand during their class at the Bamyan Regional High School June 18, 2012. Teachers are forced to conduct classes outside for lack of electri... More
New Zealand army Capt. Dave Foote, a nurse with Task
New Zealand army Capt. Dave Foote, a nurse with Task Unit Crib, weighs and measures some boys from the Samar Orphanage in Bamyan, June 22, 2012. Soldiers from the New Zealand contingent in Bamyan have been visi... More
A group of local boys watch as soldiers from the Bamyan
A group of local boys watch as soldiers from the Bamyan Malaysian Contingent, which is part of the Bamyan Provinicial Reconstruction Team, install a solar panel on a free clinic near the town of Bamyan June 18,... More
A school girl giggles as she answers a question in
A school girl giggles as she answers a question in front of an English literacy class while New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Unit Crib, looks on, Jun... More
Saywed Khadin (right), a potato farmer, poses with
Saywed Khadin (right), a potato farmer, poses with his team of oxen and one of his hired hands on his farm northwest of the town of Bamyan, June 16, 2012. The Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team has been labo... More
Local boys display the bicycle tires they race with
Local boys display the bicycle tires they race with on a street near Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 24, 2012.
Several young women weave a large rug at the Arzu Studio
Several young women weave a large rug at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley, about five miles west of the town of Bamyan June 20, 2012. Women enrolled the program receive higher than average com... More
New Zealand soldiers drive their light armored vehicle
New Zealand soldiers drive their light armored vehicle to a fighting position during a stand-to drill on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 19, 2012. Soldiers from New Zealand have been stationed at FOB Bamyan... More
A rug-weaving tool hangs were a student left it at
A rug-weaving tool hangs were a student left it at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley west of the town of Bamyan. Women enrolled in the program receive higher-than average compensation for thei... More
Razia Jan (left), the in-country director of Arzu Studio
Razia Jan (left), the in-country director of Arzu Studio Hope, a non-governmental organization based out of Chicago, sits in on a first grade class for women at their school, located in a fortified compound wes... More
New Zealand soldiers with Task Unit Crib run up "PT
New Zealand soldiers with Task Unit Crib run up "PT Hill" for physical training behind Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 19, 2012. Soldiers from New Zealand have been stationed at FOB Bamyan since 2003.
New Zealand Army Cpl. Craig Turnbull, a cook with Task
New Zealand Army Cpl. Craig Turnbull, a cook with Task Force Crib, rolls out some dough while preparing dinner on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 21, 2012. Soldiers from New Zealand have been stationed at F... More
An American civilian carpenter known as "Cowboy" plays
An American civilian carpenter known as "Cowboy" plays with three boys who live at the Samar Orphanage in Bamyan, June 22, 2012. Soldiers from the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, led by the New Zealand c... More
Women study general education in a 1st grade class
Women study general education in a 1st grade class at the Arzu Studio Compound in Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan. Women and children enrolled the program are employed as carpet weavers and receive hi... More
Afghan farmers and media look on as an Afghan demonstrates
Afghan farmers and media look on as an Afghan demonstrates the new two-wheel tractors at a mechanization ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Feb. 6. The farmers each received one of 50 tractors at a subsidi... More
Old and new collide as an old Russian tank provides
Old and new collide as an old Russian tank provides the background for two local farmers as they tend to their potato field June 17, 2012. Potato farming has become very important for the economy of Bamyan, as ... More
A little boy listens to his teacher during a class
A little boy listens to his teacher during a class at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley west of the town of Bamyan. After his mother died giving birth to him, his father abandoned him, making h... More
Two students weave a large rug at the Arzu Studio Hope
Two students weave a large rug at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan, June 20, 2012. Women enrolled in the program receive higher-than-average compensation for their ... More
A local boy who was serving tea at a meeting of local
A local boy who was serving tea at a meeting of local farmers flashes a shy smile through the grass blades in an orchard near the town of Bamyan June 16, 2012.
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi stands on a patio
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi stands on a patio overlooking the Bamyan river valley where the ancient standing Buddha’s of Bamyan statues used to reside in giant insets, one of which can be seen here, June ... More
Razia Jan, the in-country director of Arzu Studio Hope,
Razia Jan, the in-country director of Arzu Studio Hope, walks the grounds of the community garden the organization built in the Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan. Women and children enrolled in the prog... More
A school girl hands a pen to New Zealand Capt. James
A school girl hands a pen to New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Unit Crib, after writing a correct answer on the dry erase board during his English lit... More
Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police form up outside
Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police form up outside Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 25, 2012.
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi speaks at a meeting
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi speaks at a meeting of the Bamyan Cultural Hertitage Center, June 18, 2012. Sarabi is the only female Afghan provincial governor in history.
Bamyan governor, Dr. Habiba Sarabi, stands on a patio
Bamyan governor, Dr. Habiba Sarabi, stands on a patio overlooking the Bamyan river valley where the ancient standing Buddhas of Bamiyan statues used to reside in the giant insets, one of which can be seen here,... More
New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan
New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Unit Crib, wrestles with four boys who live at the Samar Orphanage in Bamyan, June 22, 2012. Soldiers from the New Z... More
Children sing the Afghanistan national anthem in a
Children sing the Afghanistan national anthem in a class at the Arzu Studio Hope compound in the Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan June 20, 2012. Women enrolled in the program receive higher-than-averag... More
New Zealand Sgt. Maj. Paxworthy, a native of Palmerston
New Zealand Sgt. Maj. Paxworthy, a native of Palmerston North, pulls security under an airplane wing at the Forward Operating Base Bamyan airfield, June 15, 2012. The smaller of the two famous “Buddha's of Bamy... More
Bamyan Governor Habiba Sarabi's security detail escorts
Bamyan Governor Habiba Sarabi's security detail escorts her as she leaves a meeting at the Bamyan Cultural Heritage Center June 18, 2012. Sarabi is the only female Governor of an Afghan province in history.
The flags of Afghanistan, New Zealand, Malaysia, the
The flags of Afghanistan, New Zealand, Malaysia, the United States, and the European Union Police fly over Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 22, 2012. The structure on the hill in the in the background is the... More
A local farmer has a laugh on a roadside near the town
A local farmer has a laugh on a roadside near the town of Bamyan, June 16, 2012.
A local Afghan farmer tends to bees in Zabul province,
A local Afghan farmer tends to bees in Zabul province, Afghanistan on March 24, 2011. Afghan citizens were given bees to increase crop production for agricultural purposes.
New Zealand Army Sgt. Anthony Watson, the 2nd in Command
New Zealand Army Sgt. Anthony Watson, the 2nd in Command of 2nd Kiwi Patrol, Task Force Crib, mans his light armored vehicle at a fighting position during a stand-to drill on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June... More
Razia Jan, the director of Arzu Studio Hope, walks
Razia Jan, the director of Arzu Studio Hope, walks the grounds of the community garden and playground the organization built in the Dragon Valley, west of the town of Bamyan. Women and children enrolled in the ... More
A local Afghan farmer tends to bees in Zabul province,
A local Afghan farmer tends to bees in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on March 24, 2011. Afghan citizens were given bees to increase crop production for agricultural purposes.
The cavity where the largest of the Buddha’s of Bamiyan
The cavity where the largest of the Buddha’s of Bamiyan statues, known to locals as the "Father Buddha," used to stand towers above the Bamyan valley, June 16, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 50... More
A native farmer and his son tend to their potato field
A native farmer and his son tend to their potato field June 17, 2012. Potatoes have become the biggest cash crop for the large farming community in Bamyan - thanks in large part to efforts by the Bamyan Provinc... More
A girl peeks at the camera as she and her classmates
A girl peeks at the camera as she and her classmates line up at the beginning of their session at the Bamyan Regional High School, June 6, 2012. Bamyan Province boasts more than 120,000 children in school, nea... More
New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan
New Zealand Capt. James Molony, the Padre for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Unit Crib, plays "Simon Says" with boys from the Samar Orphanage in Bamyan, June 22, 2012. Soldiers from the New Zea... More
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi stands on a patio
Bamyan Governor Dr. Habiba Sarabi stands on a patio overlooking the Bamyan river valley where the ancient standing Buddhas of Bamiyan statues used to reside in two giant insets, one of which can be seen here, J... More
Malaysian soldiers with the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction
Malaysian soldiers with the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team cheer as New Zealand army Capt. Dave Foote, a nurse with Task Unit Crib, arm wrestles with a boy at the Samar Orphanage near Forward Operating B... More
A local Afghan citizen tends to bees in Zabul province,
A local Afghan citizen tends to bees in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on March 24, 2011. Afghan citizens were given bees to increase crop production for agricultural purposes.
The cavity where the largest of the Buddha's of Bamiyan
The cavity where the largest of the Buddha's of Bamiyan statues, known as the "Father Buddha," used to stand, as seen from above, June 14, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 507 and 554 and were th... More
The cavity where the smaller of the Buddha's of Bamiyan
The cavity where the smaller of the Buddha's of Bamiyan statues, known to locals as the "Mother Buddha," used to stand, as seen from above, June 14, 2012. The monumental statues were built in A.D. 507 and 554 a... More
A local Afghan citizen holds up a bee hive frame for
A local Afghan citizen holds up a bee hive frame for a photo in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on March 24, 2011. Afghan citizens were given bees to increase crop production for agricultural purposes.
The two huge empty caverns where the famous Buddha's
The two huge empty caverns where the famous Buddha's of Bamyan used to stand are visible against the Bamyan valley, June 14, 2012.
New Zealand soldiers drive their light armored vehicle
New Zealand soldiers drive their light armored vehicle to a fighting position during a stand-to drill on Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 19, 2012. Soldiers from New Zealand have been stationed at FOB Bamyan... More
Saywed Khadin, a potato farmer, has a laugh with members
Saywed Khadin, a potato farmer, has a laugh with members of the Bamyan Provinical Reconstruction Team in one of his potato fields, June 16, 2012. Potatoes have become the main cash crop for farmers in Bamyan pr... More
Two boys ride their bicycles up a dirt road in the
Two boys ride their bicycles up a dirt road in the Bamyan valley with the huge cavity where one of the ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan used to stand visible in the distance, June 17, 2012. The monumental statues wer... More
Two farmers tend to a potato field near the town of
Two farmers tend to a potato field near the town of Bamyan, June 16, 2012. Many farms in the area are still planted and harvested entirely by hand. The Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team has been laboring to... More
A farmer cuts alfalfa in a field near the town of Bamyan,
A farmer cuts alfalfa in a field near the town of Bamyan, June 16, 2012. Many farms in the area are still planted and harvested entirely by hand. The Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team has been labouring to ... More
A young man travels in style near Forward Operating
A young man travels in style near Forward Operating Base Bamyan, June 24, 2012. The collection of ancient fortifications on the hill behind them is known as Shahr-e Gholghola, or the "City of Screams." In the 1... More