Afghanistan:
Natalie Carney first discovered Afghanistan on 08/08/08. In some Asian cultures the figure '8' means everlasting or infinity because the shape never breaks. Natalie feels she too will always have a connection with Afghanistan, its beauty, its culture, its people...its children! She has returned five times since.
Her travels there led her to create a non-profit organization that helps the 'Children of War'. Run by Kabul Wazir Mir from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the group supports hundreds of deprived children in Afghanistan by connecting generous donors with legitimate local Afghan aid organizations....such as The Afghan Child Education and Care Organization. Supported by Charity Help International, a US registered NGO, AFCECO has provided thousands of Afghanistan's children with a home, food and education. But most importantly AFCECO provides them with love and belonging.
In 2009, Natalie lived with the children at the Mehan Girl's orphanage (run by AFCECO) in Kabul for 2 months.
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Other Articles on Natalie's Work in Afghanistan:
Little Miracles - (Gulf News April 2010) After visiting an orphanage in Kabul on impulse, Canadian expatriate Natalie Carney returned to the UAE and set up her own charity. She has since organised a clothing drive, a calendar to raise awareness and funding and is in the process of filming a documentary.
Kabul Orphanages - (Time Our Dubai November 2009) - ‘It all began with a whim. “Let’s try something other than a five-star hotel this holiday,” I told a friend. That was on Tuesday. On Friday morning we were aboard a flight to Kabul with five suitcases of donations for kids at an orphanage.
Recent News Reports From Afghanistan:
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Protecting Afghanistan's Film & TV Industry:KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (CCTV 07/15) Afghanistan’s film and TV industry has been struggling to get back on its feet following years of conflict.
Conservative traditions and a lack of funding and personnel have limited the industry’s development. Some brave filmmakers are trying to change all that, while others have risked it all to save the country’s rich cultural heritage. CCTV’s Natalie Carney filed this report from Kabul. |
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Afghanistan's Ailing Health Care System:KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (CCTV 07/15) The Afghan Public Health Ministry estimates that there are now well over 2000 health facilities across the country, compared with about 500 in 2002. Yet many question their quality - This, as the security situation worsens across Afghanistan and the need for reliable healthcare facilities increases.
CCTV’s Natalie Carney filed this report from Kabul. |
Reports on Afghan Orphans:
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A TV report on the state of education for girls in Afghanistan.
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A portion of a radio documentary about the country & its children.
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During the time she lived with the children in the orphanage, she filmed video blogs of a county and people so often mis-understood!
You can watch them here.
You can watch them here.
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The Mehan orphanage where Natalie stayed during her times in Afghanistan is run by The Afghan Child Education and Care Organization, which is continually in need of further sponsorship to maintain the high level of support it provides the children. |
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The Mermon orphanage is another facility for girls and survives in part thanks to aid from Canada. |
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Afghanistan Demain is a French NGO who have set up 3 street to school programs to get impoverished street working children back into the classroom.
This is their Dahmazang Centre where 103 students get an education. |
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However, not all facilities have the children's best interests at heart. A few months after Natalie filmed this video on the Kufa Orphanage in Kabul, the government closed it down for being "too dangerous". There were unsubstantiated reports of foul play between some members of staff and the children. A few of them returned to the streets, others were transferred to temporary housing nearby in Marastoon, a mental institute. * This is a snippet of a 30minute piece on Kufa Orphanage *
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External Links on Afghanistan:
Pictures: Conflict Pictures, Historical Afghanistan, Afghanistan streets Cica 67-68
History: Historical Afghanistan, Wikipedia, CIA Factbook
Documentaries: Restrepo, Kabul Love Crimes, Afghan Star
History: Historical Afghanistan, Wikipedia, CIA Factbook
Documentaries: Restrepo, Kabul Love Crimes, Afghan Star