When I arrived in Afghanistan on June 17, 2009, I spent a couple of days in Kabul to assess the possibilities of my work in the Panjsher Valley, but soon decided going to Herat was best.

There I began reviewing several projects and decided quickly to build three water projects in three communities on the far edges of Herat City.  The city agreed to allow a connection to their water well and give me four plumbers for the installation. The communities agreed to dig all the ditches and help install the pipes. I agreed to coordinate, implement and buy all the materials required.  The total project is to dig and install more than 3.5 miles (approximately 18,000 feet) of piping with fittings, which will service the areas by delivering clean drinkable water to over 2,000 families and more than 17,000 people.  Also, according to the Herat City officials, this improvement has the eventual potential to supply water to a total of 7,000 families and over 50,000 people.

As I walked the streets and saw the dirty pools of water, and the few wells where the children and women were hauling gray smelly water to their homes, it made my decision to do this work an easy one.  

I also visited and spoke with the community of Shalbafont, where last year we installed a similar water project. They told me, “one year later more than 70% of the belly problems are gone from our children”.  The people need safe water, and we together have ability and heart to help them.

The cost of the projects in Herat was more than I had the resources to complete, but with the help of friends and supporters, the additional funds were raised.  It cost $25,000 to complete the three projects, far below what other agencies spend on such projects because of their high overhead and profit structure.  The participation of the community labor and the government’s contribution of engineers and plumbers were also important contributing factors.  The communities participated because they wanted clean water.  Together we accomplished meeting their needs as they worked very hard and felt the pride of helping themselves.  This may be the greatest blessing.  People’s spirits rise with hope, joy and encouragement after completing a project through their direct efforts to improve their own lives.

They were also most appreciative of the fact that so many people; including school students, teachers, education centers, friends and communities, raised money to help make this happen.  One day we gathered in celebration in the community mosque, along with the government officials including Lieutenant Governor, teachers, leaders of the community, men, children, and Suraya Pakzad. All of them expressed their deepest respect and appreciation to all the kind hearted contributors for helping these Afghan communities.

It was great to see that it took the willingness and efforts of hundreds here in our own communities to connect with hundreds of Afghans to create benefits for thousands.  So many people consciously were connected by their hearts and acknowledged one another. This is truly a lasting step towards world peace. 

In the Panjsher Valley in the Hindu Kush Mountains north of Kabul, the people of many villages are still in need of clean, safe water. In recent years I have partnered with villages and have installed five water systems benefiting thousands of people. I reviewed the new water projects of some 18 additional villages. As we continue to plan to build them in the near future, I wanted to reassure them we have not forgotten them.  When funding is in place and the plans are once again reviewed to reflect any added changes and improvements, we will begin.

Also, with the uncertainties in Afghanistan at this time caused by the continued war, the atmosphere requires one to be patient.  However, I believe, as do the people of these communities, that we must continue forward in difficult times to work together and create lasting peaceful relationships.  I am hoping that in the spring of 2010, a number of these projects will be completed.  

Presently, I have committed to one village there called Kilundah. There, about 50 families, some 250 people, live in a place where the American Provincial Rehabilitation Team is building a new school for the area.  This commitment will bring clean, safe water by way of a gravity system, to hundreds of school children as well as the people of this village.  This project will create a partnership with the community, the American PRT, and Traveling Mercies.  I am raising funds for this project and hopefully it will be constructed next spring.

Traveling Mercies throughout the past five years, in partnership with VWO and local communities in Afghanistan, has built twelve water projects benefiting more than 75,000 people.   The need for clean water is the first and most important need within the communities and is the most requested by the people.  They express the hardship of not having access to safe and clean water, especially for the women and children.  More important was the concern about the illness and deaths associated with unclean water. In Afghanistan 30% of all children die before their fifth birthday. The daily illnesses and related suffering, especially to stomach (gastrointestinal) diseases, are a very high case number.

 In my discussion and interview with communities that have received a source of clean water, a major health improvement has been achieved.  I spoke first with families, community leaders, local health clinics, doctors and nurses, government officials and international agencies about the health conditions as related to water and hygiene.  The most common response was that when clean, safe water becomes available in communities, almost 60% of the health problems improve, especially in children.  Statistics show the cases of diarrhea, dysentery, and other diseases decreased therefore improving the lives of many thousands of people, again mostly children.  In addition, families related that they save lots of money because of not having to pay for doctor visits and medications.  

On November 10, 2009, I will be speaking at the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Philadelphia.  Here I will attempt to relate the findings I have experienced and the benefits resulting from our work of bringing clean water to help eliminate suffering while building bridges for world peace.  

Traveling Mercies is planning, with VWO and other partners, to build at least six water systems in the Herat Province.