My mother was born during WWII and was three years old when it finally ended. Over 80% of her home town (Mannheim, Germany) was bombed out. Food was rationed and items such as coal, yarn, and fabric were difficult to come by. My mother told me that her mother was a beautician and she would barter with neighbors for yarn, fabric, and fresh fruits and vegetables. One neighbor would give her yarn or fabric and in exchange her mother would cut the other family's hair. Her father was a carpenter and would assist people in home repairs in exchange for coal, wood, or other items needed. Her mother would sew their clothes and crochet & knit their scarfs and mittens. Money was scarce but my mother said that she knew no other way of life and did not feel the "stress" of it; she believes this is due to the love and security she felt from her parents and siblings. My mother's sister was very sickly and had severe chronic asthma. My mother told me that all of the neighbors would help look out for her and would run to get the "neighborhood" doctor when he was needed. She does believe that had that time not been so poor that her sister may have fared better with her health. She remembers the chocolate factories opening when she was in Kindergarten and every 3-4 months each child in school would receive one bar of chocolate wrapped in parchment paper. She said it is funny the things you remember but to her there was no other way of life.
CHILDREN OF AFGHANISTAN
The link below is an article I found on the children of Afghanistan and the many stressors they fight on a daily basis. This article is their cry for help. Everyday children live with war, poverty, sickness, death of family members and parents, having to relocate, as well as the affects of war such as lack of food and clean water. Children are injured in bombings and in hidden land mines. The United Nations (UN) is continuing its efforts to minimize these effects. The article contains letters and drawings from children of Afghanistan crying out for someone to listen to them and help them.
http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B9def2ebe-10ae-432c-9bd0-df91d2eba74a%7D/Afghanistan-s-20Children-20Spreak-20to-20the-20UN-20Special-20Session.pdf
