On a project trip to Afghanistan
I am back from a two-week project trip through Afghanistan and have brought back some exciting insights that I would like to share with you. We were there to visit new, ongoing and completed projects and to strengthen partnerships.
I was very moved by the conversations I had with the local people. I am always impressed anew by how the Afghans deal with their new living conditions, how resilient they are and how they never lose their friendliness. The exchange with them has shown how much motivation and hope the pupils, teachers and colleagues draw from the ongoing projects – and how important it is that we continue with our work and not let the people of Afghanistan be forgotten.
Thanks to your great support we are able to continue this important work despite noticeable cuts in aid. I am incredibly grateful to every single supporter. You can read about the impact your donations have on the ground here.
The humanitarian crisis continues
The current situation in Afghanistan is characterized by the ongoing humanitarian crisis,
the ongoing legal restrictions for women and the drastic cuts in international aid funding
which are already having a noticeable impact. Many projects, particularly in the education and health sectors, have not received any funding and are on the brink of collapse. An incredible setback for the NGOs, but also for the population itself. It not only threatens the jobs of hospital and teaching staff, but also the medical care of thousands of people and access to quality education.
We are all the more grateful that we are able to continue the projects and be present on the ground despite these difficult circumstances. On our last trip, the temperatures in Afghanistan were freezing, construction work was paused and the schools were on winter vacation. A few months have passed since then and we were able to see great progress at the project schools and meet the pupils on this trip.
Qala-e-Jangi Girls' School
In 2022, the construction of new classrooms, sanitary facilities and workshops began at the Qala-e-Jangi Girls’ School in Mazar-e-Sharif. In spring 2024, we saw the shells of the new buildings. Today, the new premises and structures are in operation and are actively used by the students and the community.
The school had a lack of space and dilapidated buildings with considerable problems. Some lessons were held outdoors, which significantly worsened the learning conditions due to noise and extreme temperatures. The outdated sanitary facilities also posed a health risk.
The project solves these challenges by constructing a new building with six classrooms and the installation of modern sanitary facilities. Workshops and training sessions ensure sustainability and improve awareness of hygiene and health.
Block Haye Hawayee Middle School
A lot has also happened at Block Haye Hawayee Middle School in recent months!
So far, only less than half of the school’s 2,195 pupils have been taught in classrooms. Lessons for around 1,300 pupils took place in the corridors or outside. A lack of space, high noise levels and extreme temperatures made learning extremely difficult.
The construction of 12 classrooms, a laboratory, administration rooms, 10 sanitary facilities and a library created high-quality learning conditions for all pupils. Further training and workshops improved the quality of teaching and promoted awareness of hygiene and health.
We also visited exciting new projects on our project trip, which we will tell you more about soon. A thousand thanks to all our supporting members who make our work in Afghanistan possible and thus strengthen the hope of teachers and pupils! Together for a world in which every child can read and write
