Despite the turbulent context of Afghanistan, the provinces of Badakhshan and Takhar where Mission East operates have some relative stability. With the help of the international community, via organisations like Mission East and other actors, this has enabled these areas to experience some economic recovery following the start of the peace process.

However this economic recovery is not shared by all and the challenges are still enormous. In remote areas access to clean water, poor hygiene education and lack of diversified agricultural inputs still leaves most Afghans with a life expectancy of just 43 years.

Since 2001, Mission East has been providing assistance to improve clean water supply,  health and hygiene awareness, household agriculture,  to build access roads to isolated areas,  and to pass on skills to local people that give a real perspective of an independent future.

Having established strong relationships with communities and local institutions in its areas of project work, Mission East will continue to use these relationships as a platform to develop more integrated solutions to the problems facing a poverty-stricken rural population. Slowly it becomes possible to carry out more project activities specifically involving women. The working context is difficult and complex, but there are many Afghans who still need a hand up to help them out of poverty.

It was a deeply touched Vice Managing Director who returned from a visit to Mission East's projects in Afghanistan in July. Here Peter Samuelsen tells us more about his visit, and his encounter with this thirsty little boy.

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For families like six-year-old Lailo's sharing basic knowledge and skills like washing hands - knowledge that the rest of us take for granted - can literally make the difference between life and death.

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