Shamila’s Story: A Journey of Resilience and Hope
Shamila, a resident of Muslimabad village in Bagrami district, Kabul province, saw her life fall apart the day her husband abandoned her for another woman. Left alone with six children and no source of support, she sought refuge in her father’s home. However, she was met with an impossible choice - her brothers would only allow her to stay if she left her children behind. Unable to abandon them, Shamila chose homelessness over separation.
Desperate for shelter, she turned to her in-laws, hoping they would not turn her away. But after only a few days, her father-in-law asked her to leave, offering to take in her children while forcing her out. Once again, she refused to be parted from them. Homeless and with no food, she wandered the streets, struggling to comfort her starving children. Her eldest, with tears in his eyes, asked, "Mother, where will we go? We have no food, no shelter." Though her heart ached, she held onto her faith, reassuring them, "Allah is merciful."
With nowhere else to turn, Shamila returned to her village, where a kind-hearted neighbor offered her an underground storage space (tehkawy) to stay in. To feed her children, she stood on the streets collecting charity.
A Series of Tragic Events
Shamila’s struggles took another devastating turn when, on a trip to collect food, she and her children were involved in a severe rickshaw accident. Two of her children were badly injured—one suffering a serious neck injury and the other a broken arm. The hospital refused to admit them without payment, but Shamila’s unwavering determination helped her raise the funds needed for their treatment.
Just days after their release from the hospital, another disaster struck. A heavy storm flooded their small underground shelter in the middle of the night, forcing Shamila and her children to flee. Shivering in the cold, they stood outside as neighbors woke to the sound of their cries. The next morning, the shelter owner ordered them to leave, once again rendering them homeless.
Hope from the Community and ActionAid
This time, the people of Muslimabad refused to let Shamila suffer alone. Moved by her resilience, the village leader and community members stepped in, providing her family with a walled compound, a tent, mattresses, and blankets. However, it was not enough - her children still relied on neighbors for daily meals, warm clothing, and other necessities.
Amidst these hardships, a ray of hope emerged. ActionAid Afghanistan, with support from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), launched the Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) Project to support vulnerable families in Kabul province. The project allocated $156 per family in two rounds of cash support, covering Bagrami and Deh Sabz districts. Fortunately, Shamila was among the beneficiaries chosen to receive this crucial aid.
This humanitarian intervention aimed to enhance resilience by enabling 1,000 households (approximately 7,000 individuals) to meet their basic needs - food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare - through flexible cash transfers. The project prioritized internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, persons with disabilities, and other at-risk groups, ensuring dignity and autonomy in financial decision-making.
A New Beginning
With this support, Shamila was able to buy warm clothes for her children and stock up on food. For the first time in a long time, she felt relief—her children would not have to sleep hungry in the cold.
"I thought I had lost everything, but thanks to ActionAid, I was able to buy food and warm clothes for my children. Their kindness gave me hope when I had none."
Today, with the support of ActionAid, Afghanistan, Shamila and her children have shelter, food, and a renewed sense of hope. Though challenges remain, she is no longer alone in her struggle. She continues to fight for a brighter future for herself and her children, proving that even in the darkest of times, resilience and kindness can pave the way forward.
ActionAid Afghanistan plays a crucial role in empowering vulnerable communities by providing immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term support. Through initiatives like the Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) Project, ActionAid not only helps families meet their urgent needs but also ensures their dignity and autonomy in rebuilding their lives. By prioritizing the most at-risk individuals—such as displaced families, women, and children—ActionAid is fostering sustainable resilience and creating pathways for a more secure and hopeful future for communities like Muslimabad