Thanks to Afghanaid, our animals now have better lives and they are healthier. This means that they are stronger and work harder for us, produce more and get injured and sick less. Because of this, our families are also healthier and our lives have become much easier. 

Life for families living in the remote rural villages of Afghanistan's Central Highlands is incredibly difficult, and healthy working animals are now crucial to the fragile livelihoods, well-being and resilience of families, particularly for women like Zarwaa (pictured), a widow who has been struggling to get by.

Please make a donation today and support a family like Zarwaa's

"Things have been difficult for my family since my husband passed away. I have found it really hard to provide for my children.

The land around here is steep and harsh - with difficult and large distances to cross, we rely on our animals to get around and for farming. Without them we wouldn't be able to make ends meet, but we have never really known how to get the most out of them so families here have often had a difficult time, and we have never had enough to set aside to get us through the tougher times."

Afghanaid is supporting farmers like Zarwaa with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools they need to look after their animals properly, so that they can provide for their families.

"Afghanaid came to our village and brought together all the livestock-owning women into a group, through which we have learned all sorts of things, like how to properly care for, handle and get the best out of our animals. We have been learning about their health, hygiene and general welfare.

I have learned so much already and I am really enjoying it too! Being part of this group is good for so many reasons, as it helps us to learn from and support each other, as well as receiving the formal training."

A helping hand makes a world of difference

"Thanks to Afghanaid, our animals now have better lives and they are healthier. This means that they are stronger and work harder for us, produce more and get injured and sick less. Because of this, our families are also healthier and our lives have become much easier." 

Please give a helping hand to a family like Zarwaa's

"I myself have a donkey, two cows and some sheep. We need our donkey to collect water from the spring and firewood from the mountains. Our land is completely rainfed and, because of the harsh landscape here, there is often a lack of food available and families often struggle to put food on their plates."

"We use our donkeys to take us to the nearest market to get food, which is still 3 hours away with their help but would be impossible to reach without them. In the village, our donkeys also help us with any construction and with the cultivation of wheat, so without these donkeys we would not survive – they help us with every aspect of our lives.

Without these donkeys we would not survive - they help us with every aspect of our lives

Productive animals mean prosperous families

"A healthy animal will work harder and produce more for my family. This means that in the long term we will need to spend less money on them getting unwell or injured, so we can use this money on other things, like buying schools supplies for our children.

I haven't been able to afford to send the others to school but now I will be able to save enough money to send my youngest daughter, Aliceena, to school so that she can get a proper education and build a brighter future for herself.

I feel much more confident about my family's future now. With my new skills I know how to ensure that my animals are strong and productive, so I can put food on my children's plates. I can pass this knowledge on to my children too so they can look after them properly. I know that this will make a huge difference to our lives now, and in the future.

In the past, people in my village often struggled to get by - thanks to Afghanaid we are doing much better and people are very happy now.”

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