Crafting Hope by Hand: Bashir's Story

In Afghanistan's Central Highlands lives dedicated father Bashir*, who has spent much of his life working to provide for his wife and children. However, Afghanistan's ongoing economic and unemployment crisis meant his seasonal work as a builder was unreliable, and didn't bring in enough to meet his family's needs.

“I worked as a house builder using clay (mud bricks) and was the sole breadwinner of my family,” Bashir explained. “The work was extremely difficult and physically exhausting, as I had no other source of income and often struggled with back pain. Despite the hardship, I continued this work to try and meet some of my family’s needs.”

The restrictions on women’s employment meant that no one else in his family was able to earn an income, increasing the strain Bashir felt to make ends meet. “My eldest daughter is educated; however, due to the current circumstances, she cannot find work”, he said. With limited opportunities in his village, Bashir often had no choice but to travel to other provinces in search for work.

But when Afghanaid began implementing a new livelihoods project in his area, Bashir knew this was his chance to build a better future closer to home. After speaking with staff about his situation, passions and skills, he enrolled on a carpentry course. 

Through the project, Bashir received both training and essential tools to help him start a new livelihood in carpentry, where he hoped to create high-quality wood furniture and fixtures for others in his community.

I received a set of essential carpentry tools through the project, including an axe, saw, chisel, planer, drill, measuring tape, ruler, toolbox, file, and other necessary equipment,” Bashir explained. “I also participated in five months of practical carpentry training and was a member of the self-help group, through which I gained a wide range of valuable skills and knowledge.”

From learning to lasting impact

The training, tools and encouragement Bashir received helped transform his life. “After successfully completing the carpentry training, I managed to establish my own carpentry workshop, where I am now working and earning a stable livelihood,” he said. “Currently, I am experiencing significant positive changes in my life. As I mentioned, my family is large, and we previously had no stable source of income. However, my carpentry workshop now serves as the primary source of livelihood for our family. I am pleased to share that I currently earn 26,000 Afghanis per month.”

Bashir’s workshop has also created opportunities for others in his community. “In addition to supporting my own family, I also employ apprentices in my workshop, providing them with the opportunity to earn an income and support their families as well,” Bashir told us proudly.

Looking to the future, he hopes to expand even further. “I plan to grow my carpentry workshop and hire additional apprentices to further strengthen my livelihood. This expansion will also create opportunities for other families in the village to work and earn an income. As the only carpenter in our village, I have a substantial customer base, and there is significant potential to further grow my business."

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Your support makes Bashir's story possible

Thanks to your generous support, men and women across the country are gaining practical skills and craft training that help them build their own livelihoods. This means sustainable incomes, food on the table and the ability to meet their families’ most basic needs.

*His name has been changed to protect his privacy