I was at home watching television when I learned that Afghanistan was giving $100,000 to help the hurricane victims in America. I think President Karzai has done us proud by doing this. The images of Americans carrying their luggage and leaving their homes behind reminded me of the time my family had to flee to Pakistan after the Taliban took over. We were arrested, held for days, robbed; it was a very tough time.
What surprised me was the sight of so many black people. Is that really America? At first I thought it was a scene from Africa.
It's true that $100,000 is lot for Afghanistan, but it is our duty to help those in need. The Americans also send a lot of money here, although I don't think it helps much. Just look at the streets. Most of it goes into the pockets of the big men. They spend nothing on us. I get annoyed when I look out of the window of my bakery and see flashy four-wheel drives from the Isaf [peacekeepers] and aid agencies. It seems they are spending a lot of money on themselves but not on rebuilding our country.
In New Orleans they are lucky that President Bush is giving out money to help people start again. My house was destroyed years ago, when bombs were falling across Kabul. But no matter how often I ask, nobody wants to help me put it up again.
· Muhammad Ghani, 45, is a baker in Kabul
Well, he's not entirely correct. They did get one white guy in the beginning of the video stealing clothes and I don't think they have Wal-Mart in Africa yet. Maybe after globalization...
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