Slums Destroyed

As part of their crack-down on "corruption," the interim government has been tearing down the slum housing of the poor, leaving them with no alternative housing plans. These are photos of the rubble left behind after the military came in the night to tear down the poor people's homes right down the street from our apartment. Now they are all homeless, wandering in the streets to find somewhere to sleep at night. I have no idea how this has helped reduce corruption. If anything else, it will increase violence in the streets as the poor get more desperate.

Mukhta and her family

Here's Mukhta (our bua) with her husband Hanip and her son Furqan, in their tiny shack-house in the slums in Banani.

Furqan's New Soccer Ball

Here is Furqan, Mukhta's (our bua) son, with his new soccer ball that my mom bought for him. He was pretty happy with his gift, as you can see!

At Mukhta's House

Mom and I went over to Mukhta's house a couple of days ago. We had a really good time! Here's a shot of me and Salma with Mukhta in her house. As you can see, there's not much to it: a board with a sheet over it for a bed/table and a couple of shelves under a tin roof.