The Taliban once destroyed Najela’s village, burning their homes and threatening their families.

AFGHANISTAN – *Najela’s village was once a beautiful landscape, known throughout Afghanistan for its picturesque grape vines and famous for its unique pottery.

But then, tragedy hit. Taliban forces destroyed the homes and chased the villagers away.

“I saw a place completely devastated by the Taliban,” said Kumar Periasamy, Operation Blessing’s Director for International Operations and Programs. “They made sure no one would return to rebuild.”

And for years, no one did.

When control of the village was taken from the Taliban, the community remained an empty relic of what it once was—burned, destroyed, and forgotten by all but those who called it home.

OBI teams offered to help the villagers by providing food and medical care, and even setting up schools for children under tall shade trees. Villagers were given fruit trees to help them revive the community.

Najela has grown into a happy, healthy young woman, pursuing her education and looking forward to a bright future.

Before long, word of the transformation taking place reached more of the villagers who had fled, and slowly, they began returning to their home.

Najela was still a young girl when Operation Blessing first set up a medical clinic in the village. She suffered from a parasitic disease from the bite of a sandfly. The disease caused sores on her face and Najela became too shy to attend school, only a few of her peers would even play with her.

OBI physicians treated Najela and other children struggling with the disease and, today, ten years later, the disease is close to being eradicated from the village.

“Najela is all grown up now—there is a slight scar on her face, but the infection is completely gone,” Periasamy said. “Her father thanked me for all that Operation Blessing had done for his daughter, who is now back in school.”

But the transformation didn’t end with Najela. The entire village barely resembles the harsh, desolate place it once was. Now, new homes have been built, fruit gardens are plenty, school is held regularly, and the once-famous pottery shops have returned.

“Today I saw a healthy community; just as it once was before the people were forced out of their homes,” Periasamy said.

*Name changed to protect identity

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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