Percovich perceived the lack of opportunities for young Afghans, especially girls, and realized that skateboarding was a way to engage them and build community.

The militants are doing their best to dissuade young Afghans from joining the military.

"The project focuses on the daily life of young Afghans in Kabul, outside of the context of war."

Most of them are young Afghans who have taken English language courses in Afghanistan.

Among the young Afghans who were transformed in the process was Ms. Olomi, the women's rights advocate.

According to several reports, young Afghans are being picked up from their homes in neighborhood sweeps and forced into military service.

Pakistan's rulers found these multitudes of ardent young Afghans a source of potential trouble at home but potentially useful abroad.

Because of the war, a generation of young Afghans have missed all their schooling, raising illiteracy levels above 75 percent.

One young Afghan says he has tried 41 times in the past two and a half months.

There would be a need for young talented Afghans like you.