Afghanistan 5 Years On: The Crisis Continues

After her husband passed away, Ghoncha found herself carrying the full responsibility of providing for her four children alone. Living in the remote village of Kalask Termoryan village in Herat Province, with no reliable source of income, she faced significant challenges supporting her family and often struggled to meet their most basic needs.

"After my husband passed away, I had no income and no means to support my children. Life became extremely difficult," she recalls.

With no steady income, Ghoncha was forced to make difficult choices. Some days, there was not enough food for her family. To cope, she borrowed from others, reduced the number of meals they ate and relied on support from neighbours and relatives whenever possible.

With the help of the local community leaders, and eager to create a more secure future for her children, Ghoncha signed up for Afghanaid’s practical training session, where she learned how to care for honeybees, manage hives and improve honey production. After successfully completing the training, she also received the equipment needed to start her own beekeeping activity. 

Putting her new knowledge into practice, Ghoncha dedicated herself to caring for her bees. As her confidence and skills grew, so did the productivity of her hives. The honey she produced began generating an income, helping her cover household expenses and better support her children. The impact extended beyond increased income. Through beekeeping, Ghoncha gained a sense of independence and confidence in her ability to provide for her family.

Determined to build on her success, Ghoncha used the income earned from honey production to invest in her growing business. Starting with four beehives, she was able to construct three additional hive boxes herself. 

Today, Ghoncha continues to care for her bees and expand her knowledge. While challenges remain, she no longer sees herself as trapped by her circumstances. Instead, she is building a livelihood that offers greater stability and hope for the future.

"This support gave me hope," she says. "I feel supported and not alone anymore." 

Links:

• Support People in Afghanistan
• Read Our Piece on Afghanistan Five Years On