Families of Afghanistan

Gr 2—6—This superb, inspiring film offers a unique view into the lives of two young girls in Afghanistan, contrasting the way that people live in the rural and urban areas of this country. In the first section, we spend a day with Zamora, 13, who lives in a village. She attends classes in the afternoon, since her school must operate in shifts to accommodate all the students. As she tends the cattle and chickens, cards cotton, gathers wood, fetches water, makes bread, washes and irons clothes without plumbing or electricity, attends religious classes, and eats dinner with her very large extended family that lives in two rooms and a kitchen, Zamora is positive and upbeat. Next, viewers spend a day with Madina, 12, who lives in the capital city of Kabul. Madina and her family fled to Pakistan to escape the war, but returned ten years later to reunite the family. They have more modern conveniences than Zamora's family, use computers, and watch television. The film offers many compare and contrast opportunities. The video is very authentic, right down to the music that was recorded in Kabul, and it gives viewers an unbiased look at a young person's life in a very different culture, despite restrictions on filming. The excellent teacher's guide includes the script, a glossary, quizzes, activities, recipes, and much more.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY