Greetings!
We held our packing party on September 28th and my porch was finally clean!!! Our shipment arrived at Bagram air base in Afghanistan the end of November and we began distributing to families living in refugee camps last week. We had hoped to be distributing in December. What happened?
To pick up a delivery at Bagram, Basir, our trucks and drivers must arrive the day before, spend the night, in below freezing weather, and if on the list to enter the following day all goes well. The first pickup worked. The second they were not on the list the next morning, stayed until the end of the day, and returned home. The third they were again not on the list, stayed until dark and had no assurance they would be on the list the following day. The drivers refused to stay overnight and returned home.
Basir then needed to take his family and mother to India for medical care that had been arranged well in advance. Upon his return the road conditions on the fourth attempt were so bad they had to turn back. Following the fourth attempt there was a bombing and terrorist attack outside the gate. All systems stopped and additional security measures were implemented.
Once things returned to what for them has become normal, Basir was advised he could try again. Basir, the drivers and three trucks stayed two days and nights and were allowed in the third day. Mission accomplished!
Bottom line, it's relatively easy to pack and send what we no longer need. At the other end it's a major undertaking in an area where no one knows where the next attack will be.
We have photos and videos to share. Each, when received are make my day moments.Well perhaps not the entire day but a significant portion thereof.
