Children in Afghanistan

Journalist Martin Gerner has made several trips to Afghanistan since 2004, reporting for various German radio stations and print publications. The photographs he has taken in the country represent an attempt to capture the everyday life of children in Afghanistan.

11 -- Children and young people practice Taekwondo in the Kabul Children's Circus. In addition to artistic exercises, the Children's Circus emphasizes the value of athletic training. Martial arts have a long tradition in AfghanistanChildren and young people practice Taekwondo in the Kabul Children's Circus. In addition to artistic exercises, the Children's Circus emphasizes the value of athletic training. Martial arts have a long tradition in Afghanistan22 -- Yellow and white taxis are a common sight in the center of Kabul. Over the decades, older models have proven to be particularly reliable. Here the cab driver is taking along a friend to help with a repair jobYellow and white taxis are a common sight in the center of Kabul. Over the decades, older models have proven to be particularly reliable. Here the cab driver is taking along a friend to help with a repair job33 -- Boys and girls from the Children's Circus play presidential elections. In early October 2004, the world saw the first free elections in Afghanistan in over 30 years. A few days later, children and their teachers reenact these historic scenes, giving election speeches and voting. That way the boys and girls can understand what has just happened in their countryBoys and girls from the Children's Circus play presidential elections. In early October 2004, the world saw the first free elections in Afghanistan in over 30 years. A few days later, children and their teachers reenact these historic scenes, giving election speeches and voting. That way the boys and girls can understand what has just happened in their country44 -- A boy in Jalalabad repairs a motorized rickshaw. These small motorbikes with bench seats are the main form of transportation in the capital of Nangarhar ProvinceA boy in Jalalabad repairs a motorized rickshaw. These small motorbikes with bench seats are the main form of transportation in the capital of Nangarhar Province55 -- Drawing class in a school in Karte Seh, Kabul. Here is a mixed class of boys and girls. Often classroom instruction is segregated according to genderDrawing class in a school in Karte Seh, Kabul. Here is a mixed class of boys and girls. Often classroom instruction is segregated according to gender66 -- To celebrate the national holiday, groups of schoolchildren parade through the stadium in Kandahar. Girls dressed in traditional clothing carry pictures of President Hamid Karsai and King Zahir Shah. Every year on August 19th the country marks the day it gained its independence from Britain in 1919To celebrate the national holiday, groups of schoolchildren parade through the stadium in Kandahar. Girls dressed in traditional clothing carry pictures of President Hamid Karsai and King Zahir Shah. Every year on August 19th the country marks the day it gained its independence from Britain in 191977 -- In the Kabul Children's Circus, children learn to walk on stilts, juggle, ride a unicycle and perform acrobatic featsIn the Kabul Children's Circus, children learn to walk on stilts, juggle, ride a unicycle and perform acrobatic feats88 -- A young shoeshine boy in front of the great mosque of Herat. Children learn to assume responsibility at an early age. This boy earns money to help support his familyA young shoeshine boy in front of the great mosque of Herat. Children learn to assume responsibility at an early age. This boy earns money to help support his family99 -- Children in Kabuli swing tin cans with pieces of incense inside. This ritual known as the burning of spand is supposed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune. The boys also recite versesChildren in Kabuli swing tin cans with pieces of incense inside. This ritual known as the burning of spand is supposed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune. The boys also recite verses1010 -- An easy exercise in unicycle riding. At the Children's Circus, the youngsters have fun learning acrobatic tricks. Unicycle riding is part of the official show that the children perform at schools in Kabul for classmates who are their own ageAn easy exercise in unicycle riding. At the Children's Circus, the youngsters have fun learning acrobatic tricks. Unicycle riding is part of the official show that the children perform at schools in Kabul for classmates who are their own age1111 -- Activities at the Kabul Children's Circus include making handicrafts and performing puppet shows. Bright colors have been painted on the interior and exterior of the villa where the children spend half the day, either before or after attending schoolActivities at the Kabul Children's Circus include making handicrafts and performing puppet shows. Bright colors have been painted on the interior and exterior of the villa where the children spend half the day, either before or after attending school1212 -- On a mountain in the center of Kabul, children like to swing from an old cable that hangs from a pole. In the background is the Kabul basin and part of the city. The population in the capital has grown to an estimated 4 million inhabitants. Electrical power and the city's infrastructure have failed to keep pace with the influx of new inhabitantsOn a mountain in the center of Kabul, children like to swing from an old cable that hangs from a pole. In the background is the Kabul basin and part of the city. The population in the capital has grown to an estimated 4 million inhabitants. Electrical power and the city's infrastructure have failed to keep pace with the influx of new inhabitants1313 -- A child in the great mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif, where children are schooled in Koran suras A child in the great mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif, where children are schooled in Koran suras 1414 -- Orphans put together and fold an English- and Persian-language newspaper called the Kabul Weekly and then peddle it on the streets. Passersby usually pay around 10 afghani (approx. 20 cents) per issue. The boys are allowed to keep half the amount that they collect. The money helps to support their relativesOrphans put together and fold an English- and Persian-language newspaper called the Kabul Weekly and then peddle it on the streets. Passersby usually pay around 10 afghani (approx. 20 cents) per issue. The boys are allowed to keep half the amount that they collect. The money helps to support their relatives1515 -- A class of schoolchildren has gathered on the edge of the annual Gul-e-Naranj (orange tree blossom) literature and poetry festival in Jalalabad. The painted picture shows Ahmad Shah Masood, the murdered leader of the Northern AllianceA class of schoolchildren has gathered on the edge of the annual Gul-e-Naranj (orange tree blossom) literature and poetry festival in Jalalabad. The painted picture shows Ahmad Shah Masood, the murdered leader of the Northern Alliance1616 -- Children play billiards in a public park in Jalalabad. This old billiard table once stood in a nearby hotel before it was retired from serviceChildren play billiards in a public park in Jalalabad. This old billiard table once stood in a nearby hotel before it was retired from service1717 -- A girl with her mother and siblings in front of the entrance to the house where she lives in Karte Char, Kabul. The house has neither electricity nor running water. After returning to Kabul in 2002, the family could not move back into their own apartment, which they had left during the civil war in the 1990sA girl with her mother and siblings in front of the entrance to the house where she lives in Karte Char, Kabul. The house has neither electricity nor running water. After returning to Kabul in 2002, the family could not move back into their own apartment, which they had left during the civil war in the 1990s1818 -- When it comes to public transportation, Afghans are mobility experts. A scene from the city of Balkh, not far from Mazar-i-Sharif in the NorthWhen it comes to public transportation, Afghans are mobility experts. A scene from the city of Balkh, not far from Mazar-i-Sharif in the North1919 -- A girl in KabulA girl in Kabul2020 -- The children from the Kabul Children's Circus decorate the walls of the villa where they learn to perform. Here a number of boys are painting a map of Afghanistan where each province is given a different colorThe children from the Kabul Children's Circus decorate the walls of the villa where they learn to perform. Here a number of boys are painting a map of Afghanistan where each province is given a different color2121 -- Children from the Kabul Children's Circus playing tug-of-war Children from the Kabul Children's Circus playing tug-of-war
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