An interview with Stefanie Then from ZAN – Aid organization for the promotion of the rights of Afghan women

StayIN is working on various projects that aim to improve the educational and living situation of Afghan women in Afghanistan. ZAN (www.zanev.de) has very similar goals, although unlike StayIN, the focus is on Afghan women living in Germany. Due to these parallels, we asked Stefanie Then from ZAN for an interview, which she kindly agreed […]
On the road from Kabul to Jalalabad

By Kai Pflug Fridays are good days to get away from Kabul and take a trip outside of the city – both because it is not a good day to work with other people as it is a holiday, and because the traffic is much lighter than on weekdays. So, we left Kabul early and […]
Two cultures, one life – my Afghan Heritage

By Sara Jentsch Being half German and half Afghan, I have experienced the best of both worlds. Not only do I have a love for traditional German dishes like potato soup and pretzels, but I also find immense joy in savoring Afghan delicacies such as kabuli, noqhul, and aushak, accompanied by the vibrant sounds and […]
Afghanistan and its Birds

By Kai Pflug As I am very interested in birds, I naturally paid attention to them during my recent trip to Kabul. Indeed, they are quite visible in Kabul. For example, in the Kabul Zoo – though seeing birds in that environment makes me feel sad. Or in the city center, particularly around one specific […]
An urban planning workshop in Kabul

By Sanam Ahmadi A recent workshop entitled “Planning Culture and Participation in the Revitalization of Kabul” attracted great interest, particularly among the urban planners among the participants. The aim of the workshop was to record and recognize the wishes and visions of people living in Kabul (especially women). UCODE (Urban Co-Design Environment), a 3D participation […]
Keeping Ancient Afghan Heritage Alive

By Kai Pflug According to a recent article by TOLOnews, the Afghan authorities are now taking measures to protect ancient Afghan relics. Hayatullah Mahajer Farahi, Deputy Minister of Publications at the Ministry of Information and Culture, stated “We do not allow anyone to destroy and smuggle our historical artifacts as in the past”. Other recent […]
More beautiful than imagined: Band-e-Amir

By Zarina Reza and Kai Pflug Band-e-Amir is a chain of six lakes in central Afghanistan, and the first national park in the country. Kai visited the place in November 2023 while Zarina went there a few years earlier. Zarina: Band-e-Amir was an incredible place for me to see. Ever since the first time I […]
Bridging the Divide: Transforming Afghanistan’s Workforce Through Vocational Training, Drawing from German Experience

By Hamid Arefi For decades, Afghanistan has grappled with the dual challenges of instability and an underdeveloped workforce. Despite receiving substantial aid, the country’s economy remains fragile, largely dependent on foreign aid, and susceptible to the whims of climate and politics. With more than half of the population estimated to be under the age of […]
Sightseeing in Bamiyan

By Kai Pflug In terms of sightseeing, the highlight of my stay in Afghanistan in November 2023 was a two-day trip to Bamiyan. That trip also included some time at Band-e-Amir, a national park – that park is described in a separate post written with Zarina Reza. A road trip through Afghanistan can be very […]
How to have a wedding people actually want to attend

By Sara Jentsch As a child of an Afghan mother and a German father (who doesn’t speak Dari), it was challenging for me to learn the language because I never heard my parents communicating in Dari. Growing up, I predominantly had German friends and attended a German school, which made it difficult for my mother […]