FEATURE: Making Afghanistan a better place to live
AFGHANISTAN is a country rocked by war and poverty.
About half the population live below the poverty line, with major shortages in housing water, electricity and basic medical care, there are also civilian organisations involved in the action, aiming to help people whose day-to-day lives still go on, despite the fighting.
It's probably fair to say that while the United States and British-led coalition forces fight to contain the insurgency in a country in social and economic crisis, some of the work of the civilian parties goes unnoticed.
Myriam Geach, 34, from Newmarket's Studlands Park is one of those people.
She works as a country representative for Hagar International, a charity which provides social rehabilitation in foreign countries.
In Kabul, Afghanistan's eastern province capital, Hagar is partnering with the International Organization for Migration to open a shelter for women.
Longtime Hagar Cambodia staff member, Myriam joined Hagar Afghanistan and leads the charity's the team there.
She moved to Newmarket at the age of seven and was educated at Laureate Primary School, St Felix Middle School and Newmarket College.
Myriam has been with Hagar since September 2003, when she started work in Cambodia and moved to Afghanistan early September 2009.
As one of Hagar's longest serving expatriate staff, she has been working in Cambodia for the past six years in various capacities, including communications and reintegration services and developing a training and employment program for Afghan locals.
Hagar's mission is to provide education, literacy classes, life and vocational skill development, social enterprise and job placements, particularly women and children.
On Myriam's most recent trip back to England in March, she secured a huge donation of toys from the Newmarket toy shop Moons Toymaster.
"As it's not easy to find group games, board games and puzzles in Afghanistan,I decided to buy some in the UK on my next trip home," said Myriam.
"I went with mum to Moon's toy shop and started to fill up the basket, the staff, on being told who the games were for, were very helpful in helping us to choose.
"The manager himself put all the items through the till and then just kept adding extra gifts for the children, all free of charge.
"It was a substantial gift.
"We were very touched by their generosity."
I was touched by one shocking story Myriam told about a young girl in Kabul.
"She was begging in the streets of Kabul and when she got invited into someone's home she was raped by a group of three men," Myriam said.
Fear often drives these girls away from their home as the consequences of being raped are seen as a disgrace to the family.
As a result of the rape, the girl gave birth and is now being supported by Hagar representatives.
Listening to Myriam's experiences made me realise just how much people in the UK take their safety and security for granted, while to the people of Afghanistan they are a luxury.
As the war rages on, there are huge problems on the ground for the civilian population.
In Britain we would like to think that these problems would be tackled by some sort of social support service but in Afghanistan, special people like Myriam are left to pick up the pieces.
Her internet blog titled: Reflections from Afghanistan records her observations, particularly the case of the 13-year-old girl Hagar has helped.
An extract reads: "Both mother and child are doing very well.
"The young mother has been through so much and to see her now, beaming over this beautiful new born baby wrapped up in a hand woven blanket, is a beautiful sight.
"I went down to the basement where the music was playing loudly and saw several of the girls using the exercise bikes – our newly furnished gym.
"There was a lot to celebrate that morning.
"I walked down the stairs it was hard not to move a little to the music, which was met with some excitement from the young girls.
"Then, unexpectedly, one of them started to dance and soon enough a dance party broke out in the basement with more girls taking to the dance floor, clapping to the music as one by one they took turns to dance.
"The boys stayed upstairs, eating their breakfast clearly ignoring us (which was a good thing!) Some of the women have not danced since the Taliban took over.
"It was such a powerful moment and one which will stay with me forever I can't describe it a perfect moment."
Coalition troops might be gaining the upper hand strategically but the battle for the day to day survival of those living in Afghanistan's towns and cities continues to be a growing concern for charities like Hagar and its representatives.
People like Myriam have made a difference in Afghanistan and her services will probably be needed for many years to come.
You can read more of Myriam's blogs by visiting the Journal website www.newmarketjournal.co.uk and following the links.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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