Change starts here. As followers of Jesus, we believe that even in places marked by deep adversity, hope can take root.
We see it in the steadying shoulders of a father who can finally provide for his household; we hear it in the joy of children stepping into a classroom for the very first time. These beautiful ripples of change reach into homes and futures, signalling God’s heart for restoration and a better tomorrow.
In Afghanistan, families have endured decades of conflict and hardship. Compounding this, recent global aid cuts and rising costs have left local organisations stretched to their limits, including Tearfund’s trusted local partners in Afghanistan. The human cost of these funding gaps is heavy. Yet, in Christ's love, the vital work continues, ensuring that families like Amir’s can move beyond survival toward a life where they can truly flourish.
It’s inconceivable, for most of us, to imagine the sudden, life-altering moment of walking on a hill near your home and stepping on a landmine. In 1996, this became the shocking and painful reality for Amir.
“I lost my right leg below the knee, and as a result of the accident I had a lot of mental trauma," Amir reflects. "I still find that I easily forget things.”
For a father with nine children, the physical and emotional scars of the past were heavy enough. But in a region facing severe food insecurity, the daily struggle to provide basic meals for his family became a challenge. Before this project reached his village, Amir’s household knew the deep ache of scarcity.
"There were many times in previous years when we were hungry,” Amir shares.
In the midst of these challenges, God’s kindness was expressed through the hands and feet of Tearfund’s partner, opening up entirely new hopes for Amir’s future.
Last year, Amir received animal husbandry training from our local partners, as well as three young goats. The goats have all since had kids, giving Amir the foundations of a meaningful livelihood.
The impact on his family’s daily life has been profound:
“Having the goats has made a big difference to my family! I can sell their manure and I have already made 25,000 AFN from this (people buy it for fertiliser and for cooking fuel). I also earned 4000 AFN from selling one baby goat.”
Through this sustainable income, the crushing weight of hunger has been eased, and dignity has been restored to their home.
“Because of the increased income we can now have full stomachs,” Amir says thankfully.
With his family's immediate physical needs met, Amir has been empowered to look to the future and care for his children's long-term well-being: “I’ve also managed to put my two eldest children into private school.”
These goats are so much more than livestock; they are tangible anchors of hope. When a father is supported with the skills to provide, the whole family experiences a sense of security and normality. Empowered by this grace, Amir is now looking ahead with vision and hope.
“I want to extend my business, to buy more goats or maybe a heifer," he says. "I’ve been putting some of the money I’ve earned aside for this, and the rest I use to support my family.”
Amir’s journey reminds us that we can write a different story – one where communities are defined not by what they lack, but by the change they lead. Reflecting on this journey, Amir shares, “From my first interaction with Serve Afghanistan I’ve been very happy and appreciative of the support I’ve received.”
*Names have been changed.
