For the Good of the Country

On my first assignment in Afghanistan in 2004 I met a high spirited Afghan expatriate who had been given a central role in the government’s civil service reform. His young family had remained in the US while he was running between donors and government, dancing his way through project deadlines and stepping in as translator when business couldn't take place otherwise. With 9 and half hours ahead of his home town, he would “Skype” his family daily very early in the morning and end his day quite late in his office working on a few select pet projects. On rare occasions he would agree to attend a picnic just outside Kabul with his close friends. Only then would he take the time to relax a bit. Shortly after the last plate of food had been emptied and carried away, he would sit back on his cushion and have a cigarette or two with his green tea. It is at about that point when he would somehow find a brilliant place in the conversation to say: “For the good of the country!”

I often think about the commitment and energy displayed by the people who work for Government organizations in Afghanistan. In Kabul, an entire department will often be given a small office to accommodate its employees. Many of these offices have no heat, no cabinets to put papers, very few free chairs, no computers, little lighting, broken windows and no guarantee of electricity. Yet, everyone in that department will begin their work week Saturday morning and end it Thursday afternoon to enjoy their 1 and a half day weekend. Yes, it is indeed an honor to work with these people against all odds for the “good of the country”.