That evening Joyce and I were both invited for dinner at the Wadan office with a few other people and a trio of musicians who, like
me, had just come from Mazar. They were on the other bus so we hadn’t met. They played the tabla, a strange many stringed
plucked instrument, and a violin-like bowed instrument. They were wonderful and played on into the night. That morning, Jean had
gone to Bagram, stared down soldiers in full battle armour, and collected the music and instruments. So the next morning was the
emotional return concert and ceremony. I played, then two faculty members and I played a melody. There were speeches and then I
symbolically handed my brother's trumpet, my cousin's violin, a keyboard, and a guitar to four happy students. Three boys and a girl.
When all of the instruments have found a home they will each write a letter to the donor. The director is sending us a list of all
students with their particulars and we will continue this relationship. Amin volunteered to be our go between.
me, had just come from Mazar. They were on the other bus so we hadn’t met. They played the tabla, a strange many stringed
plucked instrument, and a violin-like bowed instrument. They were wonderful and played on into the night. That morning, Jean had
gone to Bagram, stared down soldiers in full battle armour, and collected the music and instruments. So the next morning was the
emotional return concert and ceremony. I played, then two faculty members and I played a melody. There were speeches and then I
symbolically handed my brother's trumpet, my cousin's violin, a keyboard, and a guitar to four happy students. Three boys and a girl.
When all of the instruments have found a home they will each write a letter to the donor. The director is sending us a list of all
students with their particulars and we will continue this relationship. Amin volunteered to be our go between.
| Music High School |
| Performing at Music High School |
| Dobbs Presenting Guitar |
| Dobbs Presenting Trumpet |
| Dobbs Presenting Violin |
| Music High School |
The students were lining up to register as we drove off to one of the largest state run orphanages. I was lucky to be there on the day
when the head of orphanages for the government was visiting, and she attended the concert for about 100 children and invited me to
be in contact with her for next year. Then we rushed off to play for a special week long training session for the trainers of the Maliks.
After the Fairytale, I suggested for their next session they use --the problem of Billy and Brenda ---discuss. Amin suggested rather
they might want to discuss the meager salaries of Malik trainers, a reference to the story and every one cracked up. The next morning
I was back in jeans and a sweater saying goodby to everyone at Wadan who had become my family. Amin said, “Now this is a
problem, we have become close with you.”
when the head of orphanages for the government was visiting, and she attended the concert for about 100 children and invited me to
be in contact with her for next year. Then we rushed off to play for a special week long training session for the trainers of the Maliks.
After the Fairytale, I suggested for their next session they use --the problem of Billy and Brenda ---discuss. Amin suggested rather
they might want to discuss the meager salaries of Malik trainers, a reference to the story and every one cracked up. The next morning
I was back in jeans and a sweater saying goodby to everyone at Wadan who had become my family. Amin said, “Now this is a
problem, we have become close with you.”
| Mountains |
| Kabul |
| Kabul |
| Niazi, The Shomshat Exec, Alam, Nasib, and Jean at the Wadan office |
| A trainer makes a comment |
| Dobbs Performing for the Malik Trainers |
| At The Orphanage |
| At The Orphanage |
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