Peace Corps In Afghanistan: A Complex And Evolving Story

There were Peace Corps volunteers in Afghanistan from 1962 until 1979, when the mission ended with the killing of the U.S. ambassador. In total, more than 1,600 volunteers served in the country during this period.

Peace Corps volunteers in Afghanistan taught in schools and worked with farmers, engineers, and civil servants. Volunteers were welcomed by the Afghan people and immersed themselves in Afghan culture.

In recent years, there have been calls to bring back the Peace Corps in Afghanistan.

Peace Corps Volunteers in Afghanistan

The Peace Corps is an international organization that has been active in Afghanistan since 1962. The organization's mission is to promote peace and friendship between Americans and Afghans by providing volunteer services to the Afghan people. Over the years, more than 1,600 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Afghanistan, with the last group of volunteers departing in 1979 following the killing of the U.S. ambassador.

In the early years of the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, volunteers worked in a variety of sectors, including education, health, and community development. They taught in schools, worked with farmers, and collaborated with engineers and civil servants. One volunteer, Barbara Handley, taught school in Jalalabad, where she met and married another volunteer. Another volunteer, Arthur Panaro, taught English as a foreign language at Kabul University. He recalls being welcomed by the Afghan people and accepted graciously, despite being an intrusive foreigner.

The Peace Corps experience in Afghanistan was not without its challenges and dangers. In 1973, a bloodless coup resulted in the deposition of ruler Zahir Shah after 40 years on the throne, and the country descended into an era of violence. Despite the risks, many volunteers found their time in Afghanistan to be a rewarding and life-changing experience. One volunteer, Frances Hopkins Irwin, who served in Afghanistan from 1964 to 1967, co-authored a book titled "The Early Years of Peace Corps in Afghanistan: A Promising Time," reflecting on the impact of the Peace Corps on both the volunteers and the Afghan communities they served.

In recent years, there have been calls to revive the Peace Corps program in Afghanistan, particularly after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in 2021. Proponents argue that the Peace Corps can play a crucial role in promoting peace, cultural exchange, and development in Afghanistan. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, there are currently no Peace Corps volunteers serving in the field anywhere in the world. Efforts are being made to renew and reform the Peace Corps, with legislation in both chambers of Congress aiming to provide increased funding and a renewed vision for the organization.

Peace Corps Volunteers' experiences in Afghanistan

Peace Corps Volunteers have been serving in Afghanistan since 1962, when nine volunteers first arrived in Kabul. Over nearly two decades, volunteers worked with schools, farmers, engineers, and civil servants. They also learned the local language and immersed themselves in Afghan culture.

One volunteer, Arthur Panaro, described his experience as a "Peace Corps Volunteer in Kabul" as the "greatest adventure of [his] life". He recalled how he was warmly welcomed by the Afghan people, who accepted him graciously and treated him with hospitality. He also described the beauty of the country, from the "dome of sky with stunning sunsets" to the "great sweeps of arid, burnt sienna land".

Another volunteer, Barbara Handley, taught school in Jalalabad, where she met and married another Peace Corps volunteer. She described her time in Afghanistan as the "highlight of [her] life", and it clearly made a lasting impression, as she still attended reunions with other volunteers decades later.

Guy Toby Marion, who served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan from 1971 to 1974, described his experience as "nostalgic". He worked as a high school science teacher trainer in Kapisa province and later taught at the Faculty of Engineering in Kabul University.

The Peace Corps mission in Afghanistan ended in 1979 with the killing of the US ambassador. In total, more than 1,600 Peace Corps volunteers served in Afghanistan during those years, and their experiences were varied and impactful. They navigated political upheaval, cultural differences, and the challenges of living and working in a foreign country. Despite the difficulties, many volunteers cherished their time in Afghanistan and valued the opportunity to connect with and serve the local communities.

Peace Corps Volunteers' memories of Afghanistan

I've lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, since 1985, but it's the mountains and arid stretches of Afghanistan that often flash through my mind's eye. The sunsets, high-altitude sunlight, and desert mountains of New Mexico remind me so much of Afghanistan.

Journey to Afghanistan

My journey to Afghanistan began in 1962 when I watched "Lawrence of Arabia" with my younger brother, Adrian. The film sparked an interest in the Near East that eventually led me to apply to the Peace Corps in 1970. I inquired about serving in Morocco or Algeria but was told I didn't qualify as I didn't speak French. The coordinator then suggested Afghanistan, and I happily agreed, not knowing much about the country at the time.

Arrival and First Impressions

In the summer of 1971, I arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, with a cohort of other Peace Corps Volunteers. We were greeted by host-country staff and assigned accommodations in the Kart-é-Char quarter of the city. I bunked with three other male trainees and quickly fell asleep after our exhausting travels.

The next morning, I ventured out to explore the neighborhood. I poked my head into a naan shop and was politely acknowledged by the busy bakers. This was the first of many instances where Afghans graciously accepted and welcomed me into their country. I soon learned that this acceptance and polite greeting were part of the graceful formality woven into Muslim culture.

Exploring Afghanistan

After our initial training, we were allowed to travel around the country for a week to immerse ourselves in Afghan culture. I traveled west to Herat, near the border with Iran. One evening, I came upon a shop with closed doors, but an extraordinary blue light pouring through the windows. I was admitted cordially and found myself among a group of Afghan musicians surrounded by blue glassware. I was welcomed in, offered tea, and treated to a magical evening of music and lapis lazuli light.

Daily Life in Kabul

Back in Kabul, I settled into a routine. I was assigned to teach English as a foreign language in the engineering department at Kabul University. I socialized with neighboring volunteers and got to know the Hazara man, Hadim, who was my house manager during the day. He invited me for tea with his family, and I was touched by his hospitality and affection for his children.

A Brother's Visit and Documenting Afghanistan

During my time in Afghanistan, my brother, Adrian, visited me, and we embarked on a grand tour of the country. Adrian, who had an interest in photography, captured many images of our travels. In 2021, he published a book of photographs, "Afghanistan Photographs 1971-1972," which preserves historic wonders like the Bamiyan Buddhas, sixth-century statues destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

Reflections on Afghanistan's Past and Present

Since my time in Afghanistan, the country has gone through significant political upheaval and decades of unrest. Looking back, I realize that my time there, marked by peace and cultural exchange, was a unique and special period in Afghanistan's history.

Lasting Impressions

Even after leaving Afghanistan, it continued to leave its mark on me. Settling in Santa Fe, I noticed similarities between the two places, from the adobe buildings and clay pottery to the roadside memorials. Serving in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan was the greatest adventure of my life, and I will always cherish the memories and connections I made during that time.

Peace Corps Volunteers' impact in Afghanistan

Peace Corps Volunteers have had a significant impact in Afghanistan, with over 1,600 volunteers serving in the country over nearly two decades, starting in the 1960s. The volunteers worked in various sectors, including education, agriculture, engineering, and civil service. They taught in schools, worked with farmers, and collaborated with local communities to promote peace and development.

One of the notable impacts of Peace Corps Volunteers in Afghanistan was their contribution to education. They taught English and other subjects in schools and universities, helping to improve access to knowledge and skills for Afghan students. For example, Arthur Panaro, a Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Afghanistan in the early 1970s, taught English as a foreign language at Kabul University. He recalls how the department he taught in was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Peace Corps Volunteers also had a lasting impact on the local communities they served. For instance, Barbara Handley, a former volunteer, taught school in Jalalabad and ended up marrying a fellow Peace Corps volunteer in a traditional ceremony performed by a local mullah. Another volunteer, David McGaffey, credits his Peace Corps experience in Afghanistan for changing the course of his life. He embarked on a career in the Foreign Service and later returned to Afghanistan in the 1970s as the economic officer at the U.S. embassy.

The experiences of Peace Corps Volunteers in Afghanistan have been documented in various books and memoirs, such as "Afghanistan at a Time of Peace" by Robin Varnum and "The Early Years of Peace Corps in Afghanistan" by Frances and Will Irwin. These publications offer valuable insights into the lives and work of the volunteers during their time in Afghanistan.

The impact of Peace Corps Volunteers in Afghanistan extended beyond their direct service contributions. They gained a deep understanding of the country and its people, which they carried with them long after their service ended. This knowledge and cross-cultural competency are invaluable in fostering mutual understanding and peace between nations.

In recent years, there have been calls to renew and strengthen the Peace Corps' presence in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. Proponents argue that the Peace Corps offers a unique and effective approach to international engagement, one that focuses on grassroots partnerships and cultural exchange. As former Peace Corps volunteers themselves, they attest to the transformative power of the Peace Corps experience, both for the volunteers and the communities they serve.

Peace Corps Volunteers' books about Afghanistan

There are several books written by Peace Corps Volunteers about their experiences in Afghanistan. Here is a list of some of them:

A Land Without Time: A Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan

John Sumser's book provides a first-hand account of the Communist Coup in 1978 and the events that led to 9/11, as seen through the eyes of an American Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan. Sumser recounts his experiences with exotic food, mysterious customs, and primitive hygiene, as well as his arrest and beating during the coup when he was accused of being an American spy. The book offers a unique and humorous insight into Afghan culture and has received praise for its storytelling and sensitive portrayal of a country ravaged by war.

Letters from Afghanistan

Written by Eloise Hanner, a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan from 1971 to 1973, this book provides an insider's perspective on the country during that time.

Lessons from Afghanistan

Written by David Fleishhacker, a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan from 1962 to 1964, this book offers a glimpse into the country during the early 1960s.

The Early Years of Peace Corps in Afghanistan: A Promising Time

This book, written by Frances Hopkins Irwin and Will A. Irwin, recounts the experiences of the first Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1962. It describes how, under the guidance of the first director, Robert L. Steiner, the volunteers learned to navigate Afghan culture and overcome initial skepticism. By 1966, the Peace Corps presence in Afghanistan had grown significantly, with 200 volunteers working across the country. The book includes writings and photographs from volunteers, providing a valuable historical perspective on Afghanistan during a critical period of transition.

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