Istalif, Afghanistan – Beginning in January 2002, Operation Blessing’s partners have helped more than 5,000 families in Istalif through food distributions and medical outreaches. Progress continues. The rebuilding of Istalif’s medical clinic is almost finished and a girl’s high school is in the process of being built. In November, 830 families received food assistance and 500 medical services were provided. Over the months, brothers Kassim and Mohammed have watched OBI representative Kumar at work. Here’s their story…

“Thank you sir for taking care of our people in Istalif,” a voice said. Kumar turned around to see a familiar face. “You may not remember me but I had seen you many times,” continued the bearded man. “You have helped our villages by giving us food and medical care. You don’t know how much it meant to us, but your organization has blessed us many times over. You have become part of our Istalif family.” Kassim hugged Kumar and invited him in for tea. He soon began to share his life’s journey with Kumar.

Kassim and Mohammed were among the millions of refugees who fled to Pakistan in the early 1980’s. Kassim recalled, “My brother and I had a decent life working hard on the farms. We took care of my elderly parents and engaged sisters. We were working hard to save some money for their wedding. Before the celebration, our village was bombed. We lost everyone. My brother and I were spared because we were working in the field. We were angry and wanted to take revenge. However, our neighbors encouraged us to flee to Pakistan. We buried our family and joined the millions on the hardest road to Pakistan. For many days my brother and I could not sleep but think about the evil act done to our family. Mohammed had bad dreams and he was physically getting weak. He tried to end his life a number of times. We came to Pakistan not knowing what our future was going to be.”

The next few years the brothers lived in a refugee camp. Kassim could not find a job and took care of Mohammed. When the Russians left Afghanistan they moved back to their village. Soon the Taliban came and destroyed their home. They again took shelter in a displaced refugee camp at the border of Pakistan.

Two years passed until the Taliban were removed from Kabul. Kassim and Mohammed returned to their village. Kassim continued, “It was cold when we arrived to Istalif. There were hardly any people. Our homes were completely destroyed. Picking unburned wood, I started to rebuild my home. I could not find any food and my brother was getting worse. His knees had become weak and could not to walk.

“I took my brother to the Istalif clinic and all I saw was a burned building. Just when we were about to give up hope and move to the city to beg, we were told there was going to be a food distribution and a medical clinic in couple days. The news was like medicine to our body.”

Kassim carried Mohammed on his back and walked forty-five minutes to what turned out to be an Operation Blessing sponsored medical outreach. Visiting doctors spent considerable time with Mohammed and gave the medication needed. With thankful hearts, they returned back the next day to collect a food packages. “It was a sign of hope for my brother and I when you came and took care of our physical needs. Since then I waited patiently for your team to come and help us,” said Kassim.

Kassim had been coming by the clinic to see the progress of the renovation. He sits and watches the workers. He thinks, “I can’t wait for the building to be finished. My brother will have good care.”

When Kumar and Kassim’s tea neared to an end Kumar asked, “How can I help you Kassim?”

The humble host replied, “This winter is going to be a tough one. We were not able to harvest any crops and the people in Istalif do not have any money to feed our families. Will you help us?”

“We will do whatever we can to help you and Istalif, Kassim,” Kumar replied. The two men stood and gave each other an Afghan hug and parted ways.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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