Photo by Alejandro Chicheri
Even though we only have bread and tea for dinner, we are still free!"
- Nafisa
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Challenge
Agriculture is a way of life for 70 percent of Afghanistan's people and traditionally the largest and most important sector of the Afghan economy. But instability, coupled with the region's four-year drought, has devastated the country's food production capacity and impoverished farmers. Farmers and small business owners became deeply indebted during years of drought and instability, driving them to cultivate poppy for drug trafficking and force their young daughters into marriage.
Results
From sunrise to sunset, these widows bake well over 2,000 loaves of bread a day. This bakery is one of 21 such businesses supported by coalition aid; there are more planned for construction. The women working here still count on American wheat, but many bakeries are already financially self-sufficient. Despite their hardships and poverty, these women all have smiles on their faces as they speak. They tell us, "This is not a time to weep, but to work. If we continue to be sad or depressed, who is going to take care of us and our children? We have responsibilities."
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