Finding good news in Afghanistan is like panning for gold in a Welsh river – it is there but it’s not easy to find.
Most coverage concentrates on the security situation and almost daily it gives the impression that Afghanistan is in terminal decline.
One of our partners in Afghanistan begs to differ and believes there is hope for the 30 million population.
`I think we can say that there will be some further deterioration of the situation but I don’t think it will last forever,’ said the head of one partner organisation based in Afghanistan, who is retiring from his job after 20 years’ service.
`Even now it’s relatively good. I lived here when it was complete anarchy in 1992-93.
Failed state
`The security situation, the risks of becoming a failed state, a culture of impunity, international engagement and the influence of neighbouring countries – all of this brings complexity to the Afghan situation.
`But overall I’m optimistic in the long term and I know that God’s kingdom will in a mysterious way be strengthened.’
His hope is that ordinary Afghans will increasingly show a desire to have control of their own future and no longer be prepared to accept situations that are wrong and unjust.
`I think we can see some of that already because people are frustrated. They want their children to go to school, they want healthcare and they want to live normal peaceful lives.
`Increasing numbers of Afghans are very determined to see their country being built up and that’s the key. You need courageous people in communities to start standing up against corruption and intimidation and I think I can see glimpses of that.’
Big strides
His organisation is contributing to Afghanistan’s revival. With Tearfund’s support, it’s making big strides to improve healthcare.
Mental health services are virtually non-existent in Afghanistan and here Tearfund is supporting the training of health workers in four provinces.
By increasing awareness and working with community leaders, these health workers will help large numbers of people who have suffered mental illness and trauma as a result of enduring years of conflict and upheaval.
Improving eye health is another feature of our partner’s life-changing work. Last year their six eye hospitals and two clinics treated 300,000 people and carried out 16,000 sight-saving operations.
They are now looking to build on this by supporting the training of ophthalmic technicians who are mid-level eye care workers able to do initial diagnoses, refer patients for surgery, dispense glasses and offer eye health advice.
- Please pray for peace and prosperity to come to Afghanistan. Pray for improving security, political agreement and a reduction in corruption.
- Pray for the healthcare work of our partner and that they will be able to expand it into new areas.
- Pray the leadership of our partners will be blessed with wisdom in decision-making. Pray too for the safety of partners.