News That Broke My Heart

By Anna
@LadyDuck (472074)
Switzerland
October 28, 2015 5:49am CST
Reading the online news, is part of my morning routine. Opening the page of an online newspaper, I immediately spotted that disturbing image, a 105 year old Afghan woman, in a refugee camp. She has traveled with her family through continents to flee the war. How can life be so horrible? She has lived a long, may be happy, life, but now she have to flee her own country in poverty. I hope that from the refugee center in Croatia she can find a final destination where she can end her life in peace. I can only admire her determination We have a lesson to learn here, never complain, life can always be harder. Here is the link to the news if you want to read more: yalibnan.com/2015/10/27/105-year-old-afghan-refugee-seeks-better-life-in-europe/
Lebanon News and World News Live from Beirut October 27, 2015 by yalibnan 3 Comments She is 105 years old but still dreams of a better life without wars and bombs. Bibihal Uzbeki, from Kunduz, Afghanistan, is among tens of thousands who have traveled acros
71 people like this
70 responses
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Oct 15
Amongst the hordes of men who have come pretending to be refugees, there are, here and here, actual refugees. It is unfortunate that the countries they are migrating to are not screening the "refugees" so that only those actually seeing refuge and asylum are allowed.
11 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
It is very sad for these refugees but some are not good people.
4 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck that does sound like a good idea.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
I agree, Italy let pass everyone, then they want to cross the border with Switzerland to reach Germany and the other countries in the North. It is a serious problem. Swiss authorities have stopped paying the refugees, they offer food, clean clothes and a clean place where to sleep. I think it's a good idea.
8 people like this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
28 Oct 15
wow!that poor woman and the age also.She lived a long time.But I am sure that it was not a happy one.
7 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
28 Oct 15
Agree, I don't think her life was very happy.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
@amadeo This is not the right way to finish our life. If I knews that something like this should happen to me, I prefer to die tonight in my bed.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
@marlina For sure her life is not happy now and for what I remember it's a long time that in her country there are problems.
2 people like this
• Greece
28 Oct 15
That certainly is a sad case, I wonder how older people can manage such a journey. I know I could not make it and I feel appalled that they have to.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
I am pretty sure I could not make, I am surprised that this poor woman arrived from Afghanistan to Croatia.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
28 Oct 15
Wow at 105 she traveled so far.. and their journeys weren't anything near normal. I hope she finds peace.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
As do I and at her age she is certainly a strong lady.
2 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck Wow! Now that is what you call love. I am amazed. She surely was loved and respected.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
I have searched, one of her grandson brought her onto his shoulders for most time of the travel. A great young man.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51359)
• Canada
28 Oct 15
As I read this discussion, I wondered why, why would this poor old woman have to endure this? But maybe, it is to remind so many of us how lucky we are and to pray for her and those in her situation.
4 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck he is a strong woman to have gone so far even with the help of her family.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
Ir could be to remind us of how lucky we are and to pray for those in that situation like you say Juliaacv.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
I cried this morning and my question has been the same, why this poor woman had to endure this. Could not we live in a peaceful world? We did not ask to be created.
3 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
28 Oct 15
I can't imagine having to go through what she is at any age, let alone 105. I also wish her peace.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
At least she is not alone, her family is with her. Her grandson helped her during the long trip. Poor woman.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
4 Nov 15
@RasmaSandra My grandmother always told me stories of the famine and bombs during WWII, a very sad era.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Nov 15
@LadyDuck At her age it is especially heartbreaking. Same as during WW II when Latvians and other nationalities had to flee their homelands. It was always toughest on the grandparents.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
28 Oct 15
I am glad her family did not abandon her when they left.
3 people like this
• Guangzhou, China
29 Oct 15
the same feeling, family's love always reliable in in most cases
2 people like this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
28 Oct 15
How sad. Life should be easy when you're old. She's very brave.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
This is what I think, elder people should have a peaceful end, this is too much sad.
@dianadee (1778)
• South Africa
29 Oct 15
Amazing tenacity and mental strength she showed!
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
28 Oct 15
"She is 105 years old but still dreams of a better life without wars and bombs". What an admirable woman. At her old age and her hard situation, she still has that great hope! How admirable! I hope and pray that she finds her dream life in her new home.
3 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
31 Oct 15
@LadyDuck I believe so too. Her very old age is a major factor here. I could only but pray sincerely for her.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
I am sure that the authorities are going to help her. They cannot help everybody, but this sounds to be a very special case.
2 people like this
@dianadee (1778)
• South Africa
29 Oct 15
Truly admirable!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223776)
• Chile
28 Oct 15
Civilians pay a dear price for wars. I believe that they are the biggest losers
3 people like this
@much2say (56053)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Oct 15
That is so sad having to live like this at 105. Surely she has seen a lot to say the least in her lifetime - and it's just too much for her to be doing this at her age now. But I suppose one has to do what they have to do for survival - it's sad she is having to do this towards the end of her life. Oh, we should be so grateful we are not in living in such a situation!
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
We should be thankful we do not have this to endure.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
@much2say I have felt at times that I was having a hard time but geez it is nothing compared to these poor people. Think of it leaving your homeland and going to another country and starting over again.
2 people like this
@much2say (56053)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Oct 15
@Marcyaz And I feel bad that sometimes I feel like I have had it hard at times - it's nothing compared to what these people have to endure!
3 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37379)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Oct 15
That is very sad. I do pray she can find a safe place to live out the rest of her days in peace.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
I also wish her to find a safe place to live out the rest of her life in peace and with her family.
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8802)
• Singapore, Singapore
28 Oct 15
I wish someone will give her a place.
3 people like this
@wiLLmaH (8802)
• Singapore, Singapore
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck Hope so!
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
I am sure the authorities are going to help her, poor woman she can do nothing all alone.
2 people like this
• United States
28 Oct 15
Not sure how anyone had a happy life in some of those countries.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
Many, many, many years ago they were peaceful in their countries, until the greed of oil companies destroyed everything.
3 people like this
• United States
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck Must have been very long ago.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Oct 15
@LadyDuck Yet most loved under dictatorships of one kind of another and freedoms were restricted with harsh measures.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
28 Oct 15
Everyone is are that there are many genuine refugees among the multitudes of people travelling through Europe.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck Even some had to leave after WWI due to the economic conditions of some countries.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
We should remember that many of our ancestors also had to leave their countries during WWII, today is the same. A never ending story.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137773)
• India
29 Oct 15
I am forever in the attitude of gratitude because I know people live in terrible conditions and here is one such case.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
29 Oct 15
This is something I always say to my hubby, never complain and be happy. Every time you feel something is wrong look around you.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
29 Oct 15
that is so sad but such a heartfelt story - we have so many refugees from the African countries flock to SA - they sleep at the Missions of the churches, on the pavements with their small children as well. We have soup kitchen that step up to their aid until they are relocated. But wherever it is happening - its sad.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
29 Oct 15
Here in Switzerland they are hosting them in the public atomic shelters and the red cross give them clothes and offer hot food every day. I feel sad for those who are obliged to quit their houses and their country.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
29 Oct 15
@LadyDuck its actually inhumane how they have to leave their culture, their countries, their homes and families to survive or just die in peace.
2 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
28 Oct 15
I would say if she's lived through 105 years of Afghan history it's very unlikely to have been a happy life.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck She surely must have had some happy years even though now it may not seem so.
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
May be (very may be) she lived some happy years when she was young. Surely it's almost 30 years that Afghanistan is no more a happy land.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220245)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Oct 15
But if she lived 105 years, something was right in her life. I often think ones attitude is as important as what is happening around you.
1 person likes this
@jolly14 (31)
• Pune, India
28 Oct 15
There are many refugee who are travelled from Afghan to Europe, but i rally feel very bad for old lady..I want to pray for this lady and pray to god that please stop all these things and make the people social.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
Poor woman, she must be so sad, in a country where she knows nothing, not even the language.
• Pollachi, India
29 Oct 15
I wish the authorities and the people at higher places take necessary steps to take care of the people who are in actual need of protection. It would be better though the if the two countries come to a mutual peaceful agreement to end this violence .
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
29 Oct 15
There are no two countries fighting here, it is an internal Afghan matter, this does change nothing for those who are under the bombs.