AFGHAN PHOTOGRAPHER
CAPTURES HOPE and resilience during lockdown in Kabul
Determined to show the world
a brighter side of her country , photographer Fatimah Hossaini and her colleague , Sharif Safi , cautiously traveled through the city of Kabul , Afghanistan ’ s capital , at the height of the pandemic to listen to people ’ s stories .
“ COVID-19 is another tragedy in a long list of tragedies in Afghanistan ,” says Hossaini . “ I heard so many painful stories . I also saw how people have hope and resilience during this time .”
Fatimah and Sharif collected stories and photographed women and men from all walks of life . They heard about the personal struggles and challenges posed by the pandemic . They witnessed fear and heartache , and they were inspired by the positive attitude that permeated so many of their conversations . One participant , a college freshman , said it best : “ We just need to see the glass as half full .”
When you consider what they ’ ve been through — decades of conflict , extreme poverty , brutal repression , and now the threat of disease — the hope and resilience of these women and men is astounding . In the face of tragedy and against all odds , they refuse to give up .
“ This project [ for CAI ] is so amazing ,” says Hossaini . “ In really , really hard moments in Afghanistan , I could do something that shows the positive story . Maybe it can help people spread positive vibes , and not just show COVID , war , death — the things the media always covers .”
The photo essay provides a glimpse of what life has been like for a cross-section of people during lockdown in Afghanistan ’ s capital .
Photos by Fatimah Hossaini
Reporting by Sharif Safi
Editing by Rebecca Lee
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