Afghanistan

We Just Want Peace

I don’t want my children to live in war.

Written by Twila Bird
Photography by Lindsay Silsby
Larif, Afghanistan

I am forty-two years old. We have been at war in Afghanistan for forty-five years! Since I was born and throughout my life I have known conflict and war.

I have been living in the war my whole life.

In Afghanistan, suicide attacks and car bombs were our hidden enemies. We didn’t know where they would be. Under a car, on a bike, in the street—they could be anywhere. We couldn’t run from something we couldn’t see. We lost friends. They would lose a hand or a leg or be killed. We lost our families. It could happen any time—we couldn’t know when. This is the worst kind of war.

I don’t want my children to live in war. We just want to be safe. We just want peace.

Larif Family
I don't want my children to live in war. I don't want my children to live in war.
Larif’s Daughter
My father is a school teacher, but we have no school in the camp. My sisters, my brother, and I haven't been in school for three years now.
Informed Consent

Our team members obtain informed consent from each individual before an interview takes place. Individuals dictate where their stories may be shared and what personal information they wish to keep private. In situations where the individual is at risk and/or wishes to remain anonymous, alias names are used and other identifying information is removed from interviews immediately after they are received by TSOS. We have also committed not to use refugee images or stories for fundraising purposes without explicit permission. Our top priority is to protect and honor the wishes of our interview subjects.

Add Impact to Your Inbox
Sign up for our emails to get inspiring stories and updates delivered straight to you.
Subscribe
© 2024 Their Story is Our Story Privacy Policy
Their Story is Our Story is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization under the United States Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible. Our tax identification number is 812983626.