For the Afghan civilians who managed to flee their country during the recent conflict, life has been filled with sacrifice and sorrow, especially for women. Many are widows who must support their families alone. All are uncertain of what the future will bring.

Several of these women recently shared their harrowing stories with CARE staff. While in the border town of Peshawar, Pakistan, they participate in CARE-supported vocational training. But their deepest hope is to return soon to a more peaceful Afghanistan, to begin to rebuild their lives. CARE is working to make that possible, with ongoing projects in Afghanistan that provide emergency supplies, clean water and sanitation, food for widows and their families, and education for boys and girls.

Ms. Najia
I lost my husband in 1995, when the Taliban attacked Logar province. When they captured Kabul, I lost my job as an office assistant in the Ministry of Education. A year later, I began receiving monthly food rations from CARE. I also repaired shoes at home. After the second day of the U.S. bombing, my two sons and I left Kabul for Jalalabad. We spent 15 days there. After a bomb fell on our house, we left for Pakistan.

We traveled the Gandab route to Peshawar after paying smugglers 1,400 rupees ($22) per person. We now live with my uncle, and my brother-in-law pays our rent. My sons sell chips in the parks, and from this income, we are managing to survive.

At the beginning of November, I joined a tailoring training course, funded by CARE. I receive 200 rupees ($3.15) per month, and at the end of the program, I will get a sewing machine.

My hope is for a permanent government in Afghanistan through loya jirga (traditional tribal council). I hope the government can provide us with education and jobs, especially jobs for women.

Ms. Nafisa
I used to live in Kabul with my six children and my mother. When we heard rumors that the United States was dropping bombs, we decided to go to Pakistan. However, this was very difficult, because we did not have enough money to move. I decided to engage my 15-year-old daughter to a 40-year-old man for 20,000 rupees (about $315). Then, we gave smugglers 15,000 rupees (about $236) to take us to Pakistan. After getting the money, the smugglers took us from Kabul to Teera, to Ali Masjid, then Bara and on to Peshawar. We were directed to the Itehad colony, where our relatives were supposed to be. But they had moved. A shopkeeper rented us a room for 200 rupees ($3.15) a month.

Two days after we arrived, my mother died. We did not have enough money for her funeral, but with the help of others, we were able to bury her.

Today, I go house to house washing clothes to earn a little money to feed my family. I have great dreams for my homeland, for peace and stability. I hope that one day, my children and I will be able to return to an Afghanistan without war.

Ms. Bibi Shirn
I used to live in Kabul with my 21-year-old son and my 5-year-old granddaughter. After I lost my son, I decided to migrate to Pakistan with my granddaughter. After reaching Jalalabad, smugglers told me that because I did not have moharam (male relatives), they could not help me. But I was able to join another Afghan family going to Pakistan. I paid 2,000 rupees (about $32) to the smugglers, and after a day of traveling, we arrived at Torkum, on the border with Pakistan. I was unconscious due to my high blood pressure and was hospitalized for two days.

When I was better, my granddaughter and I rented a donkey from the smugglers for 500 rupees (about $8) and rode to Peshawar. We went to the house of one of my relatives. After a week we had to leave, and I rented a room for us in the Yousuf Abad colony for another 500 rupees.

Life is passing with lots of difficulties. I want the world to know that I wish for the end of the war. I hope that one day, my granddaughter will be able to start her education in her own country.