PRT Laghman goes shopping in Mehtar Lam

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Soldiers and Airmen from Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team shopped the streets of Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, to connect with locals and assess economic conditions, Oct. 24.

“The purpose of the two-hour walk was to get a sense of the perception of the PRT’s role in provincial development, assess the variety of goods sold by local merchants and lay a foundation for future market walks not only in Mehtar Lam, but across the province,” said U.S Army Spc. Sabrina Archuleta, a Laghman PRT civil affairs Soldier from Albuquerque, N.M. “What they buy and sell and to see the pride they take in what they produce says a lot about the culture here in Laghman, and we are here to learn.”

The group of civilians, Afghan, and Coalition forces along with their interpreters, passed dozens of merchants at the bazaar, a collection of permanent storefronts and makeshift sales stands.

Archuleta stated  that their mission to Mehtar Lam is the first of many  and gives civil affairs a clearer picture of economic conditions in the area.

Laghman province is known as a regional agricultural center with lush river valleys, long growing season, and an economy heavily supported by farming . The market boasts a wide variety of local produce ranging from bananas to sugarcane. Many merchants sold industrial products, wooden furniture and textiles   

“It was a lot like a farmer’s market with people selling all sorts of goods and taking pride in ownership and how they presented their goods,” Archuleta said.

Civil affairs team leader U.S. Army Capt. Brian Love from Phoenix, Ariz., has an appreciation for the scene in Mehtar Lam.  Love deployed to Laghman Province in 2005.  He said he was encouraged by how busy the markets were and how he and the other Soldiers were treated during the mission.

“We’re able to conduct a mission without being intrusive and they responded favorably to us being there,” said Love.  “At first they were hesitant to talk to us until we began to ask questions about their products, then they opened up.”

“As opposed to a convoy of tactical vehicles rolling through the city’s center on the way to or from another mission, a market walk provides a better chance to connect with people,” said Love. “The people get to see our faces and interact with us and we get to see them instead of staring at the inside of our trucks as our convoys roll through town.”