Now, hundreds of children in Afghanistan also know Jan’s name and her kindness.

In March, Jan spent nearly two weeks in Kabul, bringing much needed medical supplies, clothes, toys and other items to two of the many needy orphanages in and around the city.

“This is something I wanted to do to help those over there who have nothing,” said the Afghani native.  “I had this project in my mind and luckily made it a reality.”

When one of Jan’s cousins said she was headed over to Afghanistan to join her husband who is working to rebuild the national airline, Jan decided to join her in what was a homecoming for both of them.

“She hadn’t been [back to Afghanistan] since she was smuggled out of there 25 years ago and I haven’t been there in 30 years,” said Jan.  “I had someone to accompany me, so I said I am going to do this.”

Earlier this year, Jan put the word out in local newspapers and among friends that she wanted to not only support troops, but also collect items for the many orphaned children in Afghanistan.

Jan went to work collecting cash donations from customers and others as well as donations of new and used items for the children.

For U.S. troops, Jan put together 180 care packages with notes from Duxbury schoolchildren that the Pentagon agreed to deliver to Afghanistan for free, but as for the supplies to the orphans, Jan was ready to hand-deliver what she had collected.

So, in March, Jan boarded a flight to Kabul equipped with six suitcases of supplies and $3,000 in cash donations to aid the orphans. 

One day after landing, Jan headed to the first orphanage 18 miles outside Kabul and met with Suria Assif, who runs the facilities for orphaned boys and girls.  While at a boys’ complex, Assif told Jan about all the needs that facility had from clothing to spoons for the children to eat with and other supplies.

“Most of what I brought was for younger children and girls, but I wanted to help,” said Jan, who donated the money to Assif and the next day was happy to see some of the supplies had already arrived.

But perhaps the biggest and best reception Jan received was the next day at a girls’ and young boys’ orphanage.  Assif called ahead before Jan’s visit and when the two arrived they were greeted with 450 children all lined up at the orphanage in their dress clothing to welcome their benefactor.

“I gave [Assif] some toys to put aside for the children during school breaks and then handed out the clothing, supplies and toys and I have never seen such happiness,” said Jan.  “There was a buzz in the air and all of them were so appreciative; it was like Christmas.”

Jan added that she fortunately had something for everyone, from stuffed animals for the younger boys to hair products for the older girls at the orphanage.  She even donated a great deal of similar long-sleeve T-shirts so that all of the kindergarten students could use them as part of their uniform for the upcoming opening day of classes.

While taking some time for herself to explore parts of Afghanistan she hadn’t seen in decades, Jan was more concerned about the orphans than her return to her former home.

“This is truly a ëlost place’ and things have changed,” she said.  “I plan to go back and help more orphanages and now I am braver to go a little further out [than my last visit] and help these beautiful children.”

Jan is hoping to encourage local kids to help as well.

“If each Duxbury child once a month skips buying a snack and puts that one dollar away [for Afghani children], we can send that money over and help establish bank accounts for these orphans to use when they turn 18,” said Jan.  “When you ask these children what they want to be when they grow up, they tell you doctors and lawyers and they are so bright.”

So while customers and friends are happy she is home, Jan is still thinking of others miles away and her next chance to help them.

“So many people want to help and at least some of these children in Afghanistan got things, but there are many more,” said Jan.  “I want better for these children and I’ve always thought we have to protect our children.”