Afghanistan's children of war

Decades of war and poverty have created enormous risks for children in Afghanistan who face displacement, destruction of their homes and communities, landmines, hunger and discrimination. But a special ActionAid project aims to change these young lives for the better.

Today Afghanistan remains troubled by poverty and violence. The highly repressive Taliban regime was overthrown in late 2001, and a new president, Hamid Karzai, elected in 2004. But the government has limited power outside the capital city of Kabul and the booming drugs trade constantly threatens stability.

Children are especially vulnerable. Schools and social areas have been destroyed, leaving young people with no chance of an education and nowhere safe to play. Many have lost loved ones and have seen terrible crimes. Large numbers in rural areas were intimidated into joining the fighting, while others were forced to work for the soldiers, washing their clothes, cleaning compounds, cooking and carrying weapons.

In 2005 ActionAid set up a disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation programme to help ex-child soldiers and war-affected boys and girls gain an education and the skills necessary to help them earn a living and break free from the cycle of violence. The programme offers nine months of literacy and vocational training in subjects such as tailoring, mechanics, carpet weaving and embroidery.

"We had a lot of problems in the Taliban time," says 18-year-old Vahidullo. "We were the defenders of our village. I was a child soldier. We didn't have guns all the time but every so often it would be my time to put the Kalashnikov on my shoulder and walk around with it. We were shown how to use it but fortunately I didn't have to." Vahidullo is now a trainee in a tailoring shop, where he is earning enough money to help send his younger brothers and sisters to school. "My hope for the future is that I'll be able to take care of my family and get a good knowledge of my trade," he says.

While it is usually boys who are given arms and pushed to the front line of the battle, girls often carry the traumatic scars of war. "I am attending the literacy class with a classmate whose father killed my father during the conflict in our village," says 17-year-old Hamida Shah. "But this is the best place for me at the moment compared to the many sad years that I have had to endure. Besides learning to read and write and receiving training to be a tailor, I am also trying to forget the terrible days I had to go through after my father?s death."

ActionAid's centres are a place for children of all ethnic backgrounds to engage in sports and games and to socialise. Other groups in similar centres in other districts are planning to start inter-group competitions in the future. This could help establish a nationwide network of youngsters who will communicate with one another and grow up together. Ultimately, it will be these young people who decide the future of their country.

photo : ©Jenny Matthews/ActionAid