Ameerkhana, mother of five sons and six daughters, now proudly calls herself the grandmother of five. She still talks about her village in Baghlan province with happiness but is unable to restrain her tears when she starts talking about almost twenty five years of life as a refugee in a foreign country. She wants to be heard. "My child! Life is terrible, it is pain, it is hell. God knows what happened to us and God will punish all those who did this to us."
Where do you live now?
"In Kacha Abadi. Do you know how hard it is there? Come and stay with us just one night. You will know it very well. We don't have clean water or electricity. My sons work in "Mandaee" (carrying cartons of fruits and vegetables for other people). When we are sick, this hospital is our only hope. Though it is more than a two hour walk for me, I don't feel it as I am sure my family and I will be treated and will not be asked for fees."
Ameerkhana is waiting in front of the lab for her test results. She has a fever and pain all over her body but hopes that does not have malaria.
She smiles and hope shines in her eyes when asked, "What do you want to see in the future?"
"I want to see peace in my country so we all can go back. I have told my sons that if I die to take my body back to Afghanistan. Every day I pray and ask God to punish all those who destroyed our country and our lives. I pray for you, for the hospital, for the doctors, for all those who helped you to make this hospital for us. If you see them, tell them, they have a place in our hearts!"
