Herat, Tue 05 May, 2009

The Community Development Project (CDP) in Herat-Kushk had its first year of operation in 2008.

An exceptionally cold winter in western Afghanistan hindered the start of the project. An office/housing compound was rented in Turghundi in the northern Kushk district. The compound was renovated and newly hired local staff members were trained. However, because of security concerns, the work had to be suspended at the beginning of June. After consideration and consultation with the staff, the provincial government authorities, and the donor, IAM gave a three month trial period for the project to work in the central Kushk district, based in the district capital Rubate Sangi. The project set up an office, further trained the field staff , and carried out surveys in two selected villages.

Following approval from IAM to continue working in Kushk district, the actual project work started in October in the villages of Lakhiha and Faizabad. By the end of the year, data collections and baseline surveys had been carried out and development shuras (community consultations) for men and women were set up. This was an exciting and eventful year for CDP Herat-Kushk.

Although the project experienced many ups and downs over the course of the year, the project staff were greatly encouraged by the interest that the people in target areas showed for the community development work. A total of 305 people in the two villages volunteered to join the basic health and social education class scheduled to start in 2009.

CDP Herat-Kushk is thankful for the support of FLM.