We have been funding medical operations for women and children from all parts of Afghanistan for more than 10 years.
The programme, carried out by La Chaîne de l’Espoir, is for the most vulnerable women and children, and covers all transport, accommodation and medical costs. The medical treatment takes place at the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children in Kabul.
Without your support, these children and women would have little chance of receiving such life-changing medical treatment.
Walking normally after successful surgery
Basira, a 15 year-old girl from Kabul, is one of eight children supported by her 50 year-old father, who earns a living as a daily labourer.
She has had ongoing problems with her knees and at one point was told by doctors at a provincial hospital that her legs should be amputated.
Following a consultation at the French Medical Institute, thanks to your donations, she received two successful operations and can now walk normally.
She says, “I am feeling very happy in these days. I want to go to school, to continue my studying and I want to become a teacher in future.”
Forced to flee
Successive wars in Logar province forced Torepkay and her family to flee to Kabul where she is currently living in a camp for internally displaced persons with 19 members of her family.
Life is extremely hard for the 45 year-old mother – there is no fresh drinking water in the camp and no school for her children. Many members of her family are ill, including her husband who is unable to work.
Torepkay had suffered from fibroids and uterine bleeding for two years. She was struggling to walk or even to stand up straight, but was unable to pay for any medical help.
The surgery funded by your donations has changed that.
“We would have lost our daughter”
When Omida was only 12-months-old she accidently drank bleach, damaging her oesophagus, making it virtually impossible to eat or drink.
Her family is very poor, and live in a remote area in the Balkh province, without running water or electricity. Despite their economic situation they did everything they could to get Omida the medical help she urgently needed.
They borrowed £1,700 to cover the cost of initial treatment and travel to and from Kabul. While they were away, to add misery to injury, their home was destroyed in a fire.
They were then referred to the French Medical Institute, where Omida has had four surgeries to date. Omida is now 2-years-old and the surgeries have been successful.
“We would have lost our daughter, because we had no money even for travel, and we couldn’t do anything. We are grateful to those who helped us save her.”
“I’m happy I’m in good health”
Masooda, 33, needed a cystectomy, the removal of her bladder, which costs £630.
She tells her own story:
“I’m the mother of six children. My husband has been a teacher for 25 years but, although he has a job, his salary is not always regular; due to war the schools were often closed.
“I was sick for a year. I couldn’t understand what was happening in my body. I visited many doctors, they gave me medicine but the pain was still unbearable. It was so painful that I couldn’t walk or stand up.
“I learned of the French Medical Institute from neighbours and travelled to Kabul by bus. I was lucky that they would treat me. The surgery went very well, I stayed for six days at the Children’s House with my husband.
“We won’t have more children but I’m happy I’m in good health to take care of my six children from now on. I live for them and my oldest kids are so happy to see me healthy again.”