Prepared with assistance from PWS&D’s local partner in Afghanistan.
Nestled within the rugged mountains of Bamyan, Afghanistan, lives Ghulam Hussain, a 65-year-old man whose life has been shaped by profound loss and remarkable resilience.
A series of heartbreaking events marked Ghulam Hussain’s life. Twenty years ago, he lost his first wife, Aqila, to a sudden heart condition, leaving him to raise their infant son, Hussain Dad, alone.
With the support of relatives, Ghulam Hussain later remarried. His second wife, Sabira, became a mother to Hussain Dad and together they had three more children. For years, Ghulam Hussain worked tirelessly as a daily wage labourer, the sole provider for his growing family.
However, tragedy struck yet again when his eldest son, Hussain Dad, suffered a fatal heart attack while working as a porter in the local market. He was barely in his twenties and he left behind a wife and two young children — Salima and Sabor.
Devastated by grief, Ghulam Hussain lost his eyesight — a condition doctors linked to excessive crying. Shortly afterward, he began suffering from severe mental health problems.
Unable to work, Ghulam Hussain was no longer able to provide for the household and Sabira became the sole breadwinner. However, employment opportunities were scarce, limited to two days a week.
“I collect twigs and scraps from the market to burn during the harsh winters of Bamyan,” Sabira explains. “But there was no way to provide enough food. The shopkeepers wouldn’t offer us credit because they knew we couldn’t repay it. There were nights my children cried themselves to sleep from hunger,” Sabria says. “I felt helpless as a mother, unable to provide even the most basic necessities for my family.”
Relief finally came through the Cash-for-Food program supported by PWS&D and implemented by our local partner in Afghanistan. As part of this initiative, Ghulam Hussain’s family received critical financial support, distributed in instalments over five months. This assistance allowed them to purchase essential food items such as flour, legumes, and oil — enough to sustain the family for weeks at a time.
“For the first time in years, my children went to bed with full stomachs,” Sabira says with deep gratitude. “It may sound like a small thing, but for us, it is everything.”
Beyond providing immediate relief, the project helped restore dignity and hope to the household. “I may have lost my sight,” says Ghulam Hussain, “but I can still feel the warmth of this kindness. It has given my family the opportunity to live again.”
The Situation
In Afghanistan, survival itself has become a daily challenge. Harsh winters, limited markets and challenging economic conditions have left families struggling to find diverse and nutritious food. Agricultural production has decreased, and the rising cost of essentials means that over a third of the population—14.2 million people—are experiencing acute food insecurity.
Behind these statistics are families – mothers, fathers, and grandparents like Ghulam and Sabira—who do everything they can to provide for their loved ones yet face challenges beyond their control.
Together, we can support more families like Ghulam and Sabria’s to thrive.
Respond with us.
To protect the security of project participants, the names in this story have been changed. PWS&D is also not naming its partner in Afghanistan to help ensure their safety.
*This project received support from Global Affairs Canada through Canadian Foodgrains Bank. PWS&D is a member of the Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger.
