The Faint Ringing of a Caravan Bell: An Afghan Daughter's Odyssey

Trina Shahbaz was born and grew up in Afghanistan, where her father worked as a high-ranking government official. When she was fifteen, her parents sent her to the United States to continue her education at Emma Willard, an all-girls boarding school in Troy, New York.In this poignant coming-of-age memoir, Trina takes the reader along with her on the many paths of her odyssey—from her beloved homeland to an alien culture, from childhood and a large loving family to young adulthood, from the embrace of a close-knit family to foreign classrooms and dorm rooms where her fellow students knew little of her Afghan roots.As she adjusts to her new life, Trina endures intense homesickness, a demanding educational system, and at times, mocking classmates. Yet this is also a time of great self-discovery, academic enlightenment, and rewarding friendships. She finds strength in the wisdom of her culture, expressed through the words of Farsi poets. While growing up, her beloved father often quoted excerpts from these writings to his daughter to arm her with insight and courage as she faced life’s challenges.Trina skillfully weaves these ballads, poems, and religious texts into her story, connecting her journey through adolescence at Emma Willard to the age-old knowledge of her ancient culture. In The Faint Ringing of a Caravan Bell, Trina reaches deep into her heart to share her pain and joy with the reader, ultimately overcoming the obstacles and embracing her future.All net proceeds from book sales will be donated to Foundation for the Educational Development of Afghans in Afghanistan (FEDAA.org), whose vision is that every Afghan be educated to thrive, inspire, and unite. Read more