Author Description

My story begins on September 11, 2001. The events of that day prompted me to volunteer at ground zero and, in some way, be a part of the efforts in rescuing people trapped beneath the rubble. Experiencing the horror of such incredible devastation and loss of innocent lives made me think beyond my own world. Little did I know, at that time, the terrorist attacks would change the course of my life. When the war began in Afghanistan, my interest turned to the Afghan refugees fleeing their country from yet another war. After watching news and documentaries on their lives, I felt it were a parallel to my own past life. I became quite drawn to their plight that ultimately led me to make a fateful journey, and I decided to venture to the Afghan refugee camps along the Pak/Afghan border, hoping to join an NGO to provide assistance to the refugees. My mission was also to document their struggles through interviews and photography. So on December 21, 2001, I left my world behind and travelled to Pakistan, hoping to fulfil the mission I had set for myself. After my arrival in Pakistan, I travelled across the country to Peshawar, a frontier city along the Afghan border. It was there, by chance, that I met a Pakistani priest at a Roman Catholic Church, who befriended me and took me in. Living in the parish house for a month, I experienced life through the eyes of his Christian community. Through his mentorship and the kindness of his parishioners, I was able to fulfil my own mission documenting the plight of the Afghan refugees, as well as experiencing the struggles of the Christian community living in an Islamic country. Eventually, I became a spokesman for his church with the task of bringing awareness, and hopefully assistance, for a much-needed housing community.