One Life: An Afghan Remembers

I was born in the mountainous remote district of Pech, Kunar Province, in eastern Afghanistan, before it became known as the Valley of Death during decades of relentless wars. As the oldest of ten children, encumbered by the constant threat of fatal disease, due to a lack of sanitation and clean water, as well as an ongoing struggle to attain a good education, we were forced to survive on very little while growing up in the extremely traditional and conservative Pashtun tribal society.

I was...