Promoting health and safety through clean drinking water.
70-year-old Abdul Qader lives with his three children in a remote village in Ferozkoh, Ghor Province. Abdul Qader has always wanted the best for his family.
The head of a family of five, he does whatever he can to provide the best life possible for his household, whilst also living with a physical disability.
The head of a family of five, he does whatever he can to provide the best life possible for his household, whilst also living with a physical disability.
I am very interested in getting my children a good education and serving the community.
Abdul explained: “During the civil war, my left leg was injured in an explosion, and I became disabled. Work was difficult but I had my small farm, and I received a small amount from the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled. Unfortunately, now, because of the bad economic situation in the country, I do not receive it anymore.
But really, the hardest thing that I must deal with is that even with my disability, for years I have had to travel to the river twice a day, thirty minutes each way, to get water for drinking, cooking and washing. Usually, each trip, I had to bring four jerry cans on the donkey. It was especially hard during the winter cold or in bad weather.”
Donkeys carrying water to Abdul Quadar's house before the stand-pipes were introduced.
Unfortunately, the water Abdul Qader collected was really unsuitable for human consumption and caused his family and other community members many health problems. “The river water was dirty and caused diarrhoea, skin infections and kidney problems...but we did not have any other option.”
When our local Afghanaid team surveyed Abdul Qader’s village, they listened to his and his neighbours' concerns and recognised the difficulties they faced in accessing clean water.
The team designed a project to build and repair water systems in the village so that the community could have easy access to clean potable water. As part of the project, Afghanaid drilled a well, installed a solar pump, constructed three water reservoirs, and installed or rehabilitated 44 water standpipes.
The team designed a project to build and repair water systems in the village so that the community could have easy access to clean potable water. As part of the project, Afghanaid drilled a well, installed a solar pump, constructed three water reservoirs, and installed or rehabilitated 44 water standpipes.
Abdul Qader's life has been changed for the better since the standpipe was introduced.
I am so happy to use safe water.
As well as this, Afghanaid supported community members to establish an operation and maintenance committee to ensure the water network is well looked after and can serve residents for decades to come. No longer having to worry about his family becoming ill, Abdul Qader’s life has been changed for the better.
