" They
leaned forward, eyes fixed on us, taking in every word we spoke," she
added. "They said we were bringing them a candle of hope. I believe
children
need hope and that art can provide hope and healing."
Lowenhaupt said the trip was enlightening.
" I felt a tremendous respect for these people who were telling stories
of unimaginable horror yet attending our seminar in order to try to help others
begin to recover and deal with the trauma," she said. "Many people
hate the Russians because of the long association, some hate the Taliban but
they didn’t have as long a role in their repression. They see Americans
as new and … there are no negative feelings toward them.
" Most Afghans, however, are just afraid of everyone."
