Sitting at her desk in the U.S. Embassy's new compound in Kabul , the capital of Afghanistan , Susan Murphy looks much too young to be a grandmother, and not like someone you would find in a country that is recovering from war.

Murphy, now 46, joined the Army at the age of 18 because she liked the idea of "being able to go on one's own." After a tour of duty as a Soldier, 28 years, and two granddaughters later, Murphy became the secretary for Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, the Chief of Engineers. A high-level job like that would have earned her a "pass" from volunteering for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan , but "I just had to come," Murphy said.

It's not the first time she's felt like that. Murphy once decided to visit her mother two weeks earlier than she planned because she felt compelled to. Murphy's daughter also joined her, and the three of them had a wonderful time. Her mother died two weeks later, on the day that Murphy had initially planned to visit.

"Coming here was just like that," she said.

Murphy deployed to Afghanistan , and in Kabul she became the office manager of the Office of Infrastructure, Energy and Engineering (OIEE), the engineering arm of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

OIEE represents the joint efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USAID to rehabilitate Afghanistan . The agreement between them to rebuild the war-torn country was first reached in 2003 and is testament to the commitment of the partnership to provide support to developing countries around the globe.

With the Corps' technical services (design review, construction management, and quality assurance), USAID has already completed the principal highway linking Kabul to the southern province of Kandahar , contributing to economic development and national unity. Another primary road and five secondary roads are on the way.

The team also monitors the construction and rehabilitation of more than 500 schools and clinics across the country, as well as power, irrigation, and removing land mines.

Most of all, OIEE assists various Afghan ministries, ranging from the Ministry of Public Works to the Ministry of Education, with programming and planning to build the capability of those ministries.

Murphy's day starts early. She is usually at her desk by 7 a.m. There are meetings to be attended, papers to be distributed, and national staffs to work with.

"People here work incredibly hard," Murphy said of her present work family. "And no one is grouchy, either, despite the long working hours and pressure."

She also has enormous respect for the Afghan nationals working in the U.S. Embassy compound. "They are a gracious and brilliant people," she said.

She also believes her decision to leave a comfortable job at Corps Headquarters to join those in harm's way will encourage others back home. If a civilian woman went to Afghanistan , they, too, could probably go and help those in need anywhere in the world.

"Everyone has a gift," Murphy said. She does not believe that one has to have special skills to help the people of Afghanistan . "I'd move rocks from one side of the road to the other if that'll help the people of this country. There's nothing I won't do that I can do."

The dire living situation of most Afghans Murphy witnessed upon arrival broke her heart. She is especially saddened for children who play in mud without any adult to watch over them.

According to the United Nation's "Human Development Index," it is estimated that 70 percent of the total population of 22 million Afghans are undernourished. Only 13 percent of the population has sustainable access to an improved water source. Life expectancy at birth is 43 years, and the adult literacy rate is 36 percent.

"Too many people take for granted what we have -- families, cars, and Starbucks coffee," said Murphy. "It seemed right that we share our wealth with others."

Murphy stays in touch with her family with e-mail and telephone. Her daughter, who was once an enlisted medic in the Air Force, now lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters - Shayla, 6, and Nicole, 3. Murphy's son is stationed in Germany with the Air Force.

Her daughter initially did not like the idea of her mother coming to Afghanistan , but she eventually understood that it was something she had to do. Her son supported the decision immediately.

Shayla understands that grandma has gone to a far away place that she could see only on television. "I'll look for you on TV," she told Murphy on the phone. Nicole does not know that grandma has flown to the other side of the world. "I'll come over to your house," she says every time they talk on the phone.

Murphy's optimistic about Afghanistan , and sees their future like she sees Shayla and Nicole.

"If we help them, they'll grow up to take care of themselves."

( Katrin Eun-Myo Park is with International Relief and Development in the U.S. Agency for International Development.)