Ghofran’s Story: A Journey from Desperation to Hope

In the remote village of Baba Qachqar, nestled in Deh Sabz district of Kabul province, life is a daily struggle for many low-income families. The harsh winters only add to their difficulties, as job opportunities remain scarce, and survival becomes an ongoing battle. Among these struggling families was 63-year-old Ghofran, who carried an immense burden on his frail shoulders.

Ghofran lived with his widowed sister-in-law, whose husband had tragically passed away while working abroad. Left alone with seven children, she had no means to provide for them, and Ghofran, despite his old age and poor health, became their sole guardian. With no stable income, the family’s situation grew more desperate. The children, too young to bear such hardships, were forced to collect scraps of paper and plastic from the streets, braving the bitter cold to earn whatever little they could. Some washed car windows on busy roads, dangerously exposed to reckless drivers and heavy traffic.

“Before I received support, my family and I were in extreme poverty. The winter season made survival even more difficult for us, as we lacked food and heating materials. My family’s poor children had to go out in the freezing cold, collecting paper and washing car windows far from home, just to bring back a few coins—if anyone gave them any.”

Ghofran himself suffered from multiple illnesses, worsened by malnutrition and the stress of providing for his family. While kind neighbors occasionally offered help, it was never enough to meet their daily needs. He felt helpless, watching his sister-in-law and her children struggle every day.

A Ray of Hope

One day, Ghofran was approached by staff members from ActionAid, working in collaboration with AHF. They visited his home, conducted an interview, and documented his dire situation. At first, he was skeptical—after years of hardship, he found it difficult to believe that real help would come.

But within a week, the village leader handed him a card that changed everything. Soon after, he received news about a distribution event where he would receive assistance. On the day of the event, Ghofran had no money for transportation, but a kind neighbor helped him reach the distribution center.

To his astonishment, he was given 11,550 Afghanis as financial aid. Overwhelmed with emotion, he could hardly believe it was real.

“At first, I thought I was dreaming. I had never imagined that such help would come at such a critical time.”

With this money, Ghofran was finally able to buy essential supplies for his family, including wheat flour and cooking oil. The financial assistance provided not only food but also warmth and security, easing their worries and bringing much-needed comfort in the cold winter months.

Ghofran was not alone in receiving this support. The AHF-MPCA project, implemented by ActionAid, assisted 500 other families facing similar hardships in Bagrami district, providing them with financial aid to improve their living conditions. Two additional rounds of support were planned, ensuring that families like Ghofran’s would continue receiving the help they desperately needed.

The intervention by ActionAid and AHF was life changing. It not only enabled Ghofran’s family to survive the winter but also restored their hope. No longer did his grandchildren have to risk their lives collecting scraps in the freezing cold. For the first time in a long time, they could sleep with full stomachs, free from the constant fear of hunger.

I am deeply grateful to ActionAid and AHF. Their support gave my family a second chance at life. I had lost all hope, but they reminded me that kindness still exists in this world.”

The Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) Project in Kabul, implemented by ActionAid in collaboration with OCHA, aims to provide immediate financial relief to vulnerable households affected by crises in Deh Sabz and Bagrami districts. This humanitarian initiative supports 1,000 households (approximately 7,000 individuals), enabling them to meet their basic needs - including food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare - through flexible cash transfers.

By prioritizing internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, persons with disabilities, and other at-risk groups, the project ensures dignity and autonomy in financial decision-making. In addition to fostering economic empowerment, the initiative supports recovery efforts and strengthens local markets, aligning with the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) to provide lifesaving, multi-sectoral assistance for crisis-affected populations.

Ghofran’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of humanitarian aid. Through the compassion and generosity of organizations like ActionAid and AHF, families in Baba Qachqar found relief in their darkest moments. Though challenges remain, Ghofran and his family now face the future with renewed strength, knowing they are not alone in their fight for survival