Shuhada Organization’s livelihood program focuses on widows, and women-led households in rural Afghanistan. Livelihood programs seek to increase food security and provide program beneficiaries with a source of income. Some examples of our livelihood programs are below.

Poultry:

In 1997, Shuhada began a poultry project – targeting Afghan refugees in Quetta, Pakistan. 20 chickens were given to families with no other sources of income.

Sustainable Livelihood in Ghor Province

This program provided training in sweater-weaving, metallurgy, and horticulture for citizens of the Lal & Sar-e-Jangle district of Ghor province.

• Project outcomes
  
  
  • Provided project beneficiaries with a sense of responsibility
  
  
  • Redistribution of sheep benefitted many families over the long-term
  
  
  • Increased food security in the area and improved health outcomes – particularly amongst children
  
  
  • Financial gains to project beneficiaries

Quetta, Pakistan:

In 2000 – Shuhada started a training program for quilt-making in Quetta. 160 women – in families with no other source of income – were selected to participate in the project. The training program lasted a total of 6 months. Women made approximately 80,000 quilts – which they were paid for. These quilts were then given to Afghan refugees. In 1997, Shuhada also began a poultry project – targeting Afghan refugees in Quetta, Pakistan. 20 chickens were given to families with no other sources of income.

Kabul, Afghanistan:

In 1999 – Shuhada Organization began a quilt-making program in Kabul. In total approximately 12,000 quilts were made. Carpet-weaving training programs were also implemented. 80 women were trained in carpet weaving and 1,200 women took part in the quilt-making, 60,000 quilts were produced and 1,200 poor families benefited. The quilts were then distributed to students of Kabul University, refugees, poor families, and patients at Kabul hospitals.

Mazar-e-Sharif:

In 1997, a large number of Kabulis were displaced to the city of Mazar-e-Sharif. Shuhada Organization initiated a quilt-making project in the camp. Participants made approximately 15,000 quilts – which were then given to the IDPs, and students at Balkh University.

Bamyan:

In 1997, Shuhada began carpet-weaving projects in Bamyan. 10,800 women were trained in carpet-weaving and literacy classes. As a result, project participants began their own carpet companies. Shuhada began jewelry-making course in Bamyan as well. This jewelry is now sold nationally and internationally. Bamyan’s primary export is the potato. Shuhada, therefore, began a project that trained women to make French fries. These French fries were then packed and sold to other parts of the country. Lal and Sar-e-Jangle, Ghor Province In the initial phases of this project, project beneficiaries are given four to five sheep. At the end of the year, project beneficiaries are required to provide one lamb and one kilogram of wool to Shuhada. The wool was made into golem (local Hazaragi rug) and donated to schools without chairs and desks. The livestock distribution project increased food security in the region, and improved health outcomes – particularly amongst children. Project participants were also trained in sweater-weaving, metallurgy, and horticulture.

Livestock Distribution:

In the initial phases of this project, project beneficiaries are given four to five sheep. At the end of the year, project beneficiares are required to provide one lamb and one kilogram of wool to Shuhada. The wools are then made into golem (local Hazaragi rug) and donated to schools without chairs and desks. This project has taken place in several districts of central Afghanistan.