Changing Lives in Afghanistan: Bringing Hope One-by-One
Dan and Mary Allison, Hww – Afghanistan Executive Directors

KABUL, Afghanistan – We met Tahira the other day while distributing donated clothing less than a city block from our house as part of our One-by-One Program. She was living alone with her children, a second wife to a man living with his other wife and family miles away. Her first husband had died several years ago, leaving her destitute, with no means to care for their four young children. Her family could not afford to support her – so they sought and found her a new husband. She has since had two additional children with this husband, bringing the total to six. As her husband lives with his other family, she has been forced to become a squatter in an empty, one-room guardhouse, which she and the children now call home. This “house” is without a door or a window to keep out the elements and is barely enough sleeping space. 

The family’s daily menu consists of bread and tea…three times a day if they are lucky. When we met her, she had been sick for months and couldn’t even greet us as we delivered clothing. She received 200 to 300 Afs (approx. US$5) every 10 to 15 days from her husband and was barely able to feed her family bread, let alone pay to see a doctor. Her situation impacted us so greatly that we knew we could not ignore it. Wasn’t this what the “One-by-One” program was all about?

We took her to get tested to determine the cause of her sickness and then purchased the medicine to treat her. We then invited her children to gather the leftovers from our lunch each day so they could have at least one good meal per day. Fortunately, the woman’s health is improving and she is getting stronger.

It is better to give…
One of the most amazing outcomes of our involvement with this family is the way our staff has been impacted. The first time the children came to our office to pick up some food, the cook (who is also very poor) lovingly wrapped up the food and cried as he handed it to the children. Then one of the guards helped them carry it home. It is special to see people who are in need themselves, give to others. 

We request your prayers and support 
Please pray for Tahira’s family and that HOPE worldwide can help many more like this – One-by-One. If you would like to support the work of HOPE worldwide Afghanistan with a financial gift, please click on the link below.