Managing a national electric utility in a poor, unstable country such as Afghanistan is challenging on many fronts, not the least of which is maintaining financial records. The utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), established in 2008, had been processing all financial records by-hand. Consequently, annual financial audits contained serious disclaimers, DABS was late paying employees and filing taxes, and donors were hesitant to disburse money through DABS’ financial systems.
“The dream I have for my future, is to run my own fashion production company, where we create our own clothing designs,” twenty-two-year-old Mahsuma Sultani Jawana graduate said.
Under the USAID Strengthening Education in Afghanistan Phase II project, 220 girls schools across Afghanistan have been equipped with solar panel technology to help provide electricity to enable better teaching and learning – including the Abubakar Sidiq Girls High School.
Abdul Khaliq, 27, lives in a small house with his family in Laghman province. Khaliq is a double amputee; however, unlike most of the estimated 43,528 amputees in Afghanistan, he is able to grasp objects and perform routine daily tasks through the use of an electric hand provided to him through USAID’s Afghan Civilian Assistance Program (ACAP III).
A 22 years old, Abozar Mesbah was faced with the responsibility of providing for his entire family including a brother, six sisters, his parents, and grandparents. The Afghan family had left their home for Pakistan during the most dangerous days of faction infighting in Kabul and were struggling to get back on their feet after their recent return to the capital.
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