from Washington, London, and other western capitals, Afghans

know that it wasn’t a humanitarian concern, but the September 11

attacks and Osama bin Laden’s unwanted residence in Afghanistan

that prompted the international community to take notice of

Afghanistan again. When the United States and its coallition partners

helped oust Taliban, it opened a window of opportunity for ordinary

Afghans to resume their daily lives. In the first year, after the fall of

Taliban, some two million Afghans who had fled their land returned.

Girls and children regained the possibility of attending school or

holding jobs, and the voices of civil society, silenced by over two

decades of repression and fighting, again emerged around the country.

Journey of hope depicts the optimism of Afghans to rebuild their

homeland. A portrayal of every day life, we see the struggle of Afghans

who seek international assistance so they can bring peace and

prosperity to Afghanistan. We are shown the overcoming of barriers

to such basic human rights as access to healthcare and education as

well as other rights for women. A visually stunning piece on the destruction

that is part of Afghan life today, the tremendous effort to rebuild Afghanistan,

and the spirit behind the journey.