Everyday Lives Continue In A Nation in Turmoil
‘Families of Afghanistan’

Newest Title in the Award-Winning Families of the World Series Arrives on DVD November 2, 2010 from Master Communications
Wins National Association of Parenting Publications Honors Award

Overcoming production difficulties, personnel safety issues and other filming obstacles, the acclaimed, award-winning Families of the World series journeys into the civilian lives of one of the world’s most chaotic countries in Families of Afghanistan, coming to DVD November 2, 2010 from Master Communications. The DVD just won the National Parenting Publications Honors Award (NAPPA), which recognizes the best in children’s products and parenting resources.

About the Series

The series—25 titles and growing—enables future travelers to reach across the globe and visit other people and cultures, all from a child’s point of view. Always focusing on two children from differing households, one urban, one rural, and narrated by children themselves, the Families of the World program invites viewers to follow two families’ daily routines, introducing both the similarities and differences that exist between them, as well as us.

Synopsis

In Families of Afghanistan, meet Zamora, 13, who lives in the country with her parents, three sisters, two brothers and two uncles. An early riser, Zamora has chores to complete before breakfast, including tending to the cows and chickens. She shows us how the homes in her village are built around a common courtyard to help protect them and their vegetable gardens from the elements. At meals, she often helps feed her uncle, who lost his arms and eyesight to a land mine. She attends religion class, where she studies the Koran, and performs her daily prayers (five times a day).

Twelve-year-old Madina lives in Kabul with her parents, two sisters, uncle and cousin. Unlike Zamora, who attends school in the afternoon, Madina’s classes are in the morning and include studies in math, science, language, history and sports. She also tutors another student twice a week in computers. After school and the midday meal she shares with her family, Madina helps with household chores like vacuuming and ironing, then enjoys an afternoon snowball fight before doing her homework, eating supper and playing games.

View a Clip

From the Producer

American news footage coming from Afghanistan, a nation that has been at war for more than 30 years, contains few images of the people who live there and gives us even fewer clues as to what is really important to Afghans, says producer Georgi Marquisee, who was frustrated with the limited information on the country. What are the daily routines, concerns and triumphs of an Afghan family? How are they affected by war? How does their daily life compare to ours?

Families of Afghanistan was one of the most difficult films to produce as the crew was not able to film outdoor scenes freely. It took the help of many Afghans to document how the families live.

Priority was given to maintaining the anonymity of many participants in the film.

Reviews for the Series

School Library Journal applauds Families of the World as “excellent,” providing “an intriguing taste of another culture.” The series, which has garnered repeated acclaim and awards from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Parents’ Choice and NAPPA (National Parenting Publications of America) as well as endorsements from KIDS FIRST! and recommendations from Dr. Toy’s Children’s Products, is used in classrooms around the country as a valuable tool for social studies, English language learners and cultural studies.

More About the Series

Families of the World is recommended for ages 5–11 and retails for $29.95 each. The series features families in Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico (includes Spanish and English soundtrack) and More Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, the USA, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Each DVD includes a free PDF Teacher’s Guide, which features the script, copy-ready maps, discussion and activity guides, recipes, glossaries and more. To order Families of the World DVDs, call 1-800-765-5885 or visit our How to Order page for more information.

Also check out our Families of Kenya page!


	Families of Afghanistan Families of the World ISBN 978-1-60480-111-8 UPC 690678017792 Category Children, Ages 5–11 Run Time approx. 25 min. Release Date November 2, 2010 SR Price $29.95, includes PPR Press Release (PDF) Download Cover Art Free PDF Teacher’s Guide Purchase Now at Culture for Kids! Everyday Lives Continue In A Nation in Turmoil ‘Families of Afghanistan’ Newest Title in the Award-Winning Families of the World Series Arrives on DVD November 2, 2010 from Master Communications Wins National Association of Parenting Publications Honors Award Overcoming production difficulties, personnel safety issues and other filming obstacles, the acclaimed, award-winning Families of the World series journeys into the civilian lives of one of the world’s most chaotic countries in Families of Afghanistan, coming to DVD November 2, 2010 from Master Communications. The DVD just won the National Parenting Publications Honors Award (NAPPA), which recognizes the best in children’s products and parenting resources. About the Series The series—25 titles and growing—enables future travelers to reach across the globe and visit other people and cultures, all from a child’s point of view. Always focusing on two children from differing households, one urban, one rural, and narrated by children themselves, the Families of the World program invites viewers to follow two families’ daily routines, introducing both the similarities and differences that exist between them, as well as us. Synopsis In Families of Afghanistan, meet Zamora, 13, who lives in the country with her parents, three sisters, two brothers and two uncles. An early riser, Zamora has chores to complete before breakfast, including tending to the cows and chickens. She shows us how the homes in her village are built around a common courtyard to help protect them and their vegetable gardens from the elements. At meals, she often helps feed her uncle, who lost his arms and eyesight to a land mine. She attends religion class, where she studies the Koran, and performs her daily prayers (five times a day). Twelve-year-old Madina lives in Kabul with her parents, two sisters, uncle and cousin. Unlike Zamora, who attends school in the afternoon, Madina’s classes are in the morning and include studies in math, science, language, history and sports. She also tutors another student twice a week in computers. After school and the midday meal she shares with her family, Madina helps with household chores like vacuuming and ironing, then enjoys an afternoon snowball fight before doing her homework, eating supper and playing games. View a Clip From the Producer American news footage coming from Afghanistan, a nation that has been at war for more than 30 years, contains few images of the people who live there and gives us even fewer clues as to what is really important to Afghans, says producer Georgi Marquisee, who was frustrated with the limited information on the country. What are the daily routines, concerns and triumphs of an Afghan family? How are they affected by war? How does their daily life compare to ours? Families of Afghanistan was one of the most difficult films to produce as the crew was not able to film outdoor scenes freely. It took the help of many Afghans to document how the families live. Priority was given to maintaining the anonymity of many participants in the film. Reviews for the Series School Library Journal applauds Families of the World as “excellent,” providing “an intriguing taste of another culture.” The series, which has garnered repeated acclaim and awards from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Parents’ Choice and NAPPA (National Parenting Publications of America) as well as endorsements from KIDS FIRST! and recommendations from Dr. Toy’s Children’s Products, is used in classrooms around the country as a valuable tool for social studies, English language learners and cultural studies. More About the Series Families of the World is recommended for ages 5–11 and retails for $29.95 each. The series features families in Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico (includes Spanish and English soundtrack) and More Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, the USA, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Each DVD includes a free PDF Teacher’s Guide, which features the script, copy-ready maps, discussion and activity guides, recipes, glossaries and more. To order Families of the World DVDs, call 1-800-765-5885 or visit our How to Order page for more information. Also check out our Families of Kenya page!
	Families of the World films are excellent for learning about people and culture around the world. Families of the World is recommended for social studies classrooms, world geography classrooms, ELL/ESL classrooms, foreign language classrooms and home schoolers. Excellent for school library and public library collection. Copyright 1998–2010 Master Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Families of Afghanistan

Families of the World

Everyday Lives Continue In A Nation in Turmoil ‘Families of Afghanistan’

Newest Title in the Award-Winning Families of the World Series Arrives on DVD November 2, 2010 from Master Communications Wins National Association of Parenting Publications Honors Award