PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan– Shakela, an 11-year-old student, is pursuing a typical American dream of wanting to go to college and become a doctor with a practice in her hometown – but Shakela isn’t an American, she’s an Afghan living in the Panjshir province of Afghanistan.
Shakela, and many people in the Panjshir province, seem to “get it” when it comes to building a Taliban-free, secure, self-sufficient province, and the people’s actions are doing the speaking.
Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir set out to evaluate a future district center, some schools and a clinic on a June 28 mission to the Dara District. Abdul Monire Ayabe, Panjshir director of communication, met the team at the potential construction site for the district center. He said the PRT can expect to see continued improvements in the province as Panjshir government officials take charge and push toward self-governance.
“Right now there are still problems,” said Ayabe through an interpreter. “We have no place to work. We have stability, but no place to work. Our work stations are in a house with no room right now. We are missing communication between the district and provincial government.”
Once the communication center is complete, Ayabe said the right officials will have a place to conduct the people’s business.
“All of our work isn’t active,” said Ayabe. “You’ll see more impressive governance once the building is done.”
A new building is only part of Ayabe’s plan for the future. He made more than one reference to having multiple computers and technology at the communication center for the “younger generation” to be active in the government. And the Panjshir government has been actively changing recently.
In late March through late April, the province was without a governor. Former Gov. Hajji Bahlol departed the position in March. Deputy Gov. Abdul Rahman Kabiri filled the position until Gov. Keramuddin Keram officially took the office on March 26. There was some political tension during the transition period, but by most accounts, it was a peaceful and orderly transfer of authority.
“The transfer of authority from one governor to another with minimal tension speaks volumes about the stability of Panjshir,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Curtis Velasquez, PRT Panjshir commander and Abilene, Kan., native. “When you get out and talk with the leaders, the people and even the children, you hear them talk about a bright future. That is extremely motivating. It shows us that the people want better governance, rule of law and development. More importantly, their actions have shown they are willing to work for it.”
There were other indicators of progress on the June 28 mission. On the way back to Forward Operating Base Lion, the PRT drove onto the scene of a one-vehicle accident. The windshield of the car was smashed, and there was a lot of blood. Without hesitation, the team stopped to help.
As soon as she found the only man injured in the accident, Senior Airman Shannon Crump, PRT Panjshir medic and Lenoir, N.C., native, quickly evaluated him and rendered first aid. Through the help of the interpreter, Crump cleaned the man’s wounds and bandaged him to stop the bleeding. She sent him to the hospital with clear instructions.
A woman giving medical care to a man in Afghanistan is not common and isn’t always permissible, said Jamil, a PRT Panjshir interpreter. He said during Taliban rule in Kabul, it was strictly forbidden.
“One time I was sick, and my mother took me to the hospital in Kabul,” said Jamil. “Ten women passed by me until one woman stopped and asked me what was wrong. You could see I was sick. If the Taliban were in charge, that couldn’t happen.”
“Once during the Taliban rule, I witnessed an old man, maybe 60, enter a shop with some women,” continued Jamil. “In our culture, we have to respect age, no matter the religion, I respect the age. This man was with his wife and maybe daughters. When they entered the shop, the women lifted their burqas so they could see things clearly. Some Taliban asked who these women were with. The man said, ‘They are with me.’ These Taliban beat him very badly. His wife was so upset, and she asked him what happened and who did this to him. He said, ‘The Honorable Mullah beat me.’ He was too scared to tell his wife what really happened.”
A government official promising more impressive governance, a peaceful transition of power, a female medic rendering first aid to a male and a young girl planning on becoming a doctor could all be signs that the Panjshiris are looking to lead the rest of Afghanistan into a stable future.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2010 10:15 |
| Story ID: | 52228 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 146 |
This work, Afghanistan Province ‘Gets’ Stability, by Capt. Jason Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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