But being at peace doesn't mean her past is forgotten.

"What happened, it's part of me, part of my life and it's all the time in my mind and with me," she says in Pashto. "But I have to live, and I have to love."

If you are interested in sending a note to Aesha or making a donation to her personal account, which will support her on her journey, go to the website set up by the family who is caring for her: Aesha's Journey.

To contact the author of this piece, e-mail Jessica.Ravitz@turner.com.