| Join OBI's Mailing List To receive e-mail updates of our mission programs from around the globe. Guest Book 
|
- Healing THe Wounds Of Afghan Children
- On The Scene Mending The Broken
- Constructing Solid Shelter For Quake Victims
- Urgent Need For Afghan Quake Victims- Afghanistan: Shaken to the Core Again
- Urgent Need For Afghan Quake Victims- Afghanistan: Shaken to the Core Again
- Afghanistan: Shaken to the Core
   
|
From The Field: The Promise of Healing
(Afghanistan) - After giving care packages to 500 families living in the mountain village of Lalendar earlier this year, OBI's relief worker promised he would be back with a much-needed medical team. On March 22, the promise was fulfilled.Life is tough on the mountains in Lalendar. Its education and health facilities were completely destroyed during the Taliban regime. Drought has completely damaged their fields leaving them with little to survive. Sixty kilometers away from Kabul, the people are used to living with little and use herbal medicines to heal sicknesses. The closest clinic to the village is about 40 kilometers away. The only transportation to this clinic is riding a donkey or by foot.
Although the men may get to see a doctor, the women do not have a chance. Each day the women work hard in the fields and walk quite a distance to draw water from the well. They carry heavy loads and do not complain of pain or sickness for fear of their husbands' harsh reaction.
It is hard to understand the amount of frustration, sorrow, and loneliness that resides under the dark blue burka. Women stand in groups at a distance hoping someone will come by and address their needs. If they get closer to where the men are, they get ridiculed. Some men even use the stick to chase them away while others watch. As the world thinks that freedom for women in Afghanistan is at hand, the saga of suffering women under the burka continues without the world's knowledge. Many think it is the Taliban who enforced the burka. The fact is it is the culture that dictates the fate of an Afghan woman.
When everything seemed hopeless Operation Blessing came.
On the fourth Friday of March, a visiting team of 11 doctors from International Foundation of Hope and OBI conducted a one-day medical clinic. As we arrived in Lalendar news came that a woman had died the night before, from tuberculosis. The villagers said that she had had no opportunity for treatment. We were told the other family members had the same problem and we later were able to provide them with medicine.
A clinic was set up in a beautiful apricot and cherry orchard. The villagers provided blankets to use as chairs and examining tables. Men and children waited to see the doctors. Before starting the clinic, we thanked the village leader for allowing us to come and help their people. The leader said, "For the last 25 years we never had any medical team like yours visit our village. We are honored and blessed to have the team. Many people have come and promised to provide medical help. They never returned. You have kept your promise. Thank you."
However, the culture prohibited women from visiting the open clinic. Even the most educated woman told me it is their culture not to have women among men and we need to respect their culture. We soon realized they were the most needy. Fortunately, an Afghan female doctor was with us. With a couple of other female assistants from the US, Dr. Nazifa set up a clinic in one of the lady's homes. She was shocked to hear the different complaints from the women. "There were women waiting in line to see me," said Dr. Nazifa. "They were happy a lady doctor was in site. The women have not seen doctors for a long time. When they are sick they are scared to tell their husbands."
Young Sherine was in line waiting for her turn. She had not seen a doctor for a few years. She is married to an older man who already has a wife and children. Sherine is not happy at home but has no other choice. When Sherine's turn came to be examined, her name was asked. She laughed. When asked why, she said, "No one has asked for my name for a number of years. My husband calls me as though I am an animal. It is strange that you ask my name." When the clinic closed, Sherine and approximately 40 other of her female neighbors had received medical care.
At the main clinic, most of the children had leishmaniasis, a disease common in Afghan villages. Some had large sores on their faces that will ultimately leave scares. Although leishmaniasis is cured over a period of time, most of the children scratch the infected area making it worse. The doctors treated the sores with iodine and gave the children multi vitamins. Most men complained of pains and aches. Some suffered from tuberculosis.
Over four hours passed and the team worked hard to see 200 patients. After a couple of hours it began to drizzle. A crowd was still waiting to be seen. Soon the doctors were soaked but wanted to see everyone. Eventually we had to close the clinic and depart for Kabul. The people were thankful. We thought the adventure was over.
While trekking down the winding path we saw a women bleeding from her head. The taxi she was in had lost control and hit a wall throwing her out of the car! Our team came to her rescue and her family was thankful.
The doctors were very happy and blessed to treat all the patients. This was their first trip to Afghanistan. They thanked Operation Blessing for the opportunity to be included in this project.
