Empowering a Generation: How School Supplies and Hygiene Education Changed a Village

Herat Province is among the most populated provinces in western Afghanistan. Over time, some communities and districts have grown and developed despite continuing hardships. One of the districts of Herat is Awkal District, which was separated from Shindand District and is now one of the populated districts in the province.

In Awkal District, families face serious challenges due to limited healthcare services and few employment opportunities. Many people, especially marginalized communities, also lack information about WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and how to prevent infections. As a result, even when people understand that hygiene matters, they may not have the practical guidance or knowledge needed to use clean water and sanitation facilities effectively.

Saieeda, daughter of Adam Khan, is a resident of Awkal village in Awkal District. She is around 11 years old and lives in a large family with her father and mother, along with 4 sisters and 3 brothers. Saieeda and her family rely on the local services of Awkal BHC, and she is a student in 5th class at Awkal High School.

Before joining the project activities, Saieeda did not know enough about water, sanitation, and hygiene. She and her family faced everyday challenges that affected their health and well-being—limited access to healthcare facilities and low awareness of hygiene practices within their community.

As she shared, the change began when someone came to her school and helped her understand that WASH is not only about cleanliness, it is also about preventing sickness.

“Before the project, I didn’t know much about water, sanitation, and hygiene. I needed someone to teach us how to stay healthy and protect our families from infections.”

Learning and Support at School

Saieeda studies in class, and during her lessons, the ActionAid Distribution team visited her school to support students with educational materials through the IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) initiative for schools.

The team distributed items such as, notebooks, pens, Mugs, dairy notebooks.

But the support was not only about supplies. The project also included hygiene promotion campaigns conducted by ActionAid staff. Saieeda participated actively in these hygiene awareness sessions, where she and other students learned practical messages about WASH, clean water use, sanitation, and infection prevention.

Saieeda expressed how meaningful the school support felt for her and her classmates:

“I am very happy that ActionAid distributed pens, notebooks, mugs, and dairy notebooks to me and my classmates.”

Real Improvements for Saieeda and Her Community

Over time, the project created improvements not only for Saieeda but also for her community. Thanks to better awareness and stronger information about hygiene and access to health-related knowledge, disease risks were reduced, and healthier daily practices became more common.

Saieeda’s experience demonstrates how combining education, hygiene promotion, and community support can strengthen well-being, especially in settings where families previously had limited access to WASH information.

Her success also reflects a deeper impact:

“When children learn about WASH, they help change the habits of the whole family. Our understanding grows, and our community becomes healthier.”

Empowerment Through Education and Resources

Saieeda’s selection and participation show the profound impact that empowerment and access to learning resources can have on a community’s health. When children gain knowledge, confidence, and practical tools, they become small leaders, carrying healthy practices from school into their homes and communities.

In Awkal District, this project experience highlights a hopeful message: even in areas facing major challenges in healthcare and WASH awareness, targeted support can help families prevent disease, improve hygiene behaviors, and build healthier futures.