AN AFGHAN GIRL’S JOURNEY TO WATCH SAT-7
Taraneh* is a young Afghan girl who lives in Tajikistan and regularly calls in to SAT-7 PARS’ live children’s shows. Her family do not own a television, but she travels three hours to watch her favourite programs at a relative’s home. Taraneh’s inspiring enthusiasm and faith, despite her family’s difficult circumstances, shine through in her messages to the channel.
“We have to live out of town because we don’t have much money,” writes Taraneh* on the messaging app she uses to communicate with the SAT-7 PARS team. “Our house where we live has nothing, we don’t even have a house number.”
NO TV? NO PROBLEM
The team had asked Taraneh for her address to send her a small gift. She then explained that her family does not own a television and she travels a long distance to watch her favourite shows on SAT-7 PARS: “We have to travel three hours to go to my Uncle’s house to watch this program. I go to play with my cousin because I like it, and I go there to watch your program too.”
Taraneh and her family are from Afghanistan, but because of the many difficulties they faced in their home country they had to flee to Tajikistan. As a foreigner, her father is not permitted to work and this is a cause of financial hardship for the family.
However, these circumstances have not dampened Taraneh’s enthusiasm and she shares what a treat it is for her to watch SAT-7 PARS children’s programs on satellite television every week.
THANKFUL IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGE
Taraneh regularly calls into the SAT-7 PARS live children’s show Golpand, which means ‘beautiful or golden advice’, to participate in the games, or share a prayer or song.
During one episode exploring what it means to be thankful, she called to say: “I give thanks for having a mum and dad, a family who are Christians, and that I have been freed from sin.” She went on to sing a worship song.
“I send kisses to all you believers,” writes Taraneh. “My father is not allowed to work but he always prays about our difficulties and we all go to church every Sunday. The other week I read a poem at church and the others really encouraged me.”
“Sorry, I am going to school,” she concludes her messaging for now.
It must be early morning in Tajikistan.
* Name changed to protect identity. Image is for illustrative purposes.