On his third trip to Afghanistan, Mr. Perriello visited the Community Development Council (CDC) in the small village of Mir Bocha Kot where – over tea and biscuits – the head of the local CDC spoke of the village’s many successes. After a well-informed discussion surrounding development, Mr. Perriello was able to see firsthand one of the CDC’s successes when he was escorted through the Community Health and Education Center. The Center was built by the CDC and is now funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  There he met with doctors and midwives who keep up with the heavy demand of the surrounding communities – sometimes seeing up to 150 patients a day.

During the two hour visit, the CDC and the doctors explained that because of the health facility, delivery center and co-located pharmacy, the community can now concentrate more on their livelihoods. Before the clinic was built in 2008, the community was very concerned about medical treatment – often having to transport their sick to Kabul (nearly an hour drive). Families frequently and unnecessarily lost their loved ones from lack of access to health facilities or in transport to Kabul. Now the clinic – open six days a week, eight hours a day – is within walking distance for many of the local residents.  Witnessing patients come for service, it was evident that the small two room clinic saves lives and has greatly impacted the well-being of the community.  

On his day-visit outside of Kabul city, Mr. Perriello also visited the District Development Assembly (DDA) in Istalif where he was eagerly met by several of its members. After a brief presentation by the DDA Chairman, Mr. Perriello and the members engaged in a discussion regarding community development. The DDA spoke about the importance of roads to Mr. Perriello – indicating that prior to the DDA building the 10.5 kilometer road into the village, the local population walked up to six hours from the main road to get home. Now, with the road fully constructed, it takes only about 30 minutes by car to reach the homes, enabling villagers access markets and other important means to improve their livelihoods.

In addition, the DDA also spoke about the importance of access to electricity in the continued development of the community. As such, DDA elders escorted Mr. Perriello to the village of Istalif where they walked through the narrow passage ways of the village up to the NABDP-funded Micro Hydro Power plant, established in 2007. The ragging water flowed from the top of the hill through a large pipe into a building constructed by the DDA, allowing the natural hydro energy to power a generator and create electricity for 300 families in Istalif. Each family receives power between the hours of 1800 – 0600 that enables them to run light bulbs and small household appliances. The sustainable hydro energy allows them to continue working on their livelihoods well into the evening hours, as well as allows children to study and do well in their school – an activity that the DDA indicated that the community places priority.

Mr. Perriello indicated that in his time in Afghanistan, the NABDP and NSP trip was a highlight. He thanked the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development – specifically Mr. Homayoon Milad and Mr. Mamoon Khawar – for organizing the visit.