4 Afghanistan – The road to prosperity Mission EAST 8 Our achievements in 2012 No. 1 / spring 2013

focus Aid to inaccessible corners of the world 2 Content

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Afghanistan – 50 loaves of bread When Sayeed's husband died of malaria it became difficult for the family to make ends meet. The self-help group became Sayeed's helpline.

8-9 Afghanistan – A way forward What we achieved Before, the people from the remotest villages of the together in 2012 Takhar province were isolated from the outside world. Children who have been Now, they have constructed a road together with Mission found. Access to a better East, which gives them a wealth of new opportunities. health, water and organizatio- nal development. Read a selec- tion of what Mission East has 14 achieved in 2012, in collabora- – tion with supporters, partners Access to and local communities. clean water and toilet Now Lacchu Short news – Y’s Men's Clubs support children’s who is blind, 11 fetches water corners and reaches Mission East has established children's corners for parents and the toilet on her children with disabilities in . Now the Danish Y's Men's own. Clubs help by giving the children’s corners a brush up.

Front page photo: Mission East Head Office in Hellerup, Board The road from the Tajik is a Danish international aid organisation. Managing Director Dr. Kim Hartzner Chairman Carsten Wredstrøm capital of Dushanbe to We exist to deliver relief and development Deputy Managing Director, CPH Peter Sigetty Bøje Karsten Bach the district headquarters assistance to vulnerable communities with a PR Manager Maria Callesen Brian Nielsen of Panjakent. The road primary focus on Eastern Europe and Asia. Office Manager Kathrin Thomsen (maternity leave) Benedikte Grenov is often inaccessible in Based on Christian values, Mission East aims to Student assistant Vibeke Førrisdal, René Hartzner winter due to avalanches. support the most vulnerable, making no racial, Communication Officer Anne Mette Nordfalk political or religious distinction between those Communication Officer Michael Schmidt. Editorial staff in need. Kim Hartzner Mission East currently operates directly or Mission East Office in Brussels, Belgium Anne Mette Nordfalk through local partners in Afghanistan, , Operations Director Peter Drummond Smith Maria Vibe Lynge Callesen Nepal, ,Tajikistan, Pakistan, Romania Finance Director Marianne Le Floch and Bulgaria. Finance Manager and HR Nazik Avagyan Production The assistance offered by Mission East is sup- HR Joel De Vos Rosendahls, Esbjerg Mission Øst er medlem af: ported by a range of private and public donors Information Systems Support Richard Peppiette such as the Danish Ministry of Foreign Afffairs, Desk Officers Saskia de Smet, Alex Ramos Peña, ISSN 0908-2042 European Union and the United Nations. Kendrah Jespersen, Maryse Tanis and www.miseast.org Mission East has been verified compliant with Joohi Haleem. the People in Aid Code of Good Practice in the management and support of aid personnel. editorial 3

Access to a better life lack the knowledge of how to help themselves. Some of these people's poverty is linked to the fact that they live so remotely. Therefore, it is important to build roads, so that they can get to the doctor or the market. It is also important to provide clean water and sanitation in these areas, because it helps to improve living conditions and makes it possible for people to build a better life for themselves.

With this edition of the Mission East magazine, we would like give you a sense of how inaccessible many of Since the founding of reach out to the forgotten. the people we help really are. Mission East, I have been To the children with The articles are about people, driven by a passion to reach disabilities, who are tucked who are far away in a variety people whom nobody else away at home, and to the of ways. But none are so far reaches. villages that are many days away that we cannot reach walk away. To the families them and show them that These are people, who have who are cut off for several they are not forgotten. been born under totally months during winter, and different circumstances than to countries that many myself and through no fault barely know the existence of their own suffer from of. To people who are hard Thank you for helping us poverty in remote parts of to access and to those who reach these people. the world.

It is very characteristic for much of Mission East’s work, that we are present where very few or no other relief organizations work. I have a deep conviction that every Dr. Kim Hartzner, Managing Director human being has a unique value, and that is why we 4 afghanistan

Villagers are now able to purchase seeds, medicines for their animals, fertilizer and other agricultural necessities far more easily than before. This enhances the ability to produce agricultural products, and thus increase food supplies. Farmers can now get to the market easily, and sell their vegetables, thereby increasing their incomes.

The road to prosperity In the Takhar province in Afghanistan, Mission East has con- structed 110 km of gravel road, connecting villages in two of the area’s most inaccessible districts, with the province's capital, Taloqan. The villagers used to be hampered by their isolation but now they have gained access to new opportunities.

Access to health facilities: Before, pregnant women who experienced problems during childbirth had to be taken by horse cart through hostile terrain. When this little boy was born he could not breathe properly, and he was quickly brought to the nearest health Facts centre by car. “He was lucky to get there in time”, says his Takhar province covers an area of 12,376 km2, Grandmother, Bibi Sherin, sitting which is a little larger than the islands of Funen, with her new born grandson Zealand and Lolland-Falster put together. outside the house. Mountains cover 58 percent of the province. It Now that the city is within is in this area that Mission East operates, and reach it is more likely that these which is now connected with Takhar provincial children will get an education capital, Taloqan. beyond the village school. 5

Access to new employment oppor- tunities: 27-year-old Abdul Ghiyas comes from a poor family, completely depen- dent on agriculture. After the road was built, he has become a driver, and with this new job he can now support his family.

Access to markets: It used to take four What the villager and hours on foot, or three hours by Mission East have donkey to reach the achieved town. Now, it only takes 40 minutes Travel time has been reduced by car. by 80%. This time can now be used for more productive purposes. The road connects 140 isolated villages to the provincial capital. Access to customers: Many small shops 92,000 people may use the have flourished now road. that there is increased accessibility local The road has been built in markets. Sarwar close cooperation with local Khan, a 45-year-old authorities, and villagers from unskilled worker, vulnerable households were saw the need for a hired for the construction shop: “My former job was insecure and work. seasonal, and often I came home empty handed. With this shop I can support my family,” he says. In addition, small shops like this give villagers better access to food supplies. 6 AFGHANISTAN

Self-help groups consist of about 20 women, who save up together and then borrow money from the common fund. This photo is from another self-help group than Sayeed’s. 7 Now, Sayeed bakes 50 loaves of bread a day

When Sayeed’s husband died Later, Mission East received earn 300 Afghani a day, and of malaria, it became difficult permission to help the it's enough to cover our for her to feed herself and women in the village to needs, and to repay the loan. her six children as women's start self-help groups. The My life has changed. Now, access to the world outside group members learn how I no longer need to worry of their homes is extremely to save up money together, about how to make money to limited in rural Afghanistan. and take loans from the feed my children, and I can money collected. The poor also buy school supplies for Sayeed’s husband died of rarely have access to loans them. We lead a good life," malaria some years ago. from a bank, because they says Sayeed. The disease could have cannot provide security. been treated, but the Furthermore because there family didn’t have enough are no banks in the villages. money for treatment. Since Afghan women living in Sayeed made a plan the countryside have very After yet another training, little freedom of movement, this time in keeping Sayeed had to try to get work chickens, Sayeed was able to near her home. The fact that earn some money by selling she did not have any formal eggs. It gave her the courage education made it even to invest in a business that harder. So in the beginning, would get her, and her Self-help groups in the family had to survive from children, out of poverty. Afghanistan the little money she was able She borrowed 300 afghani, to make, doing housekeeping (approximately 6 USD) to Together with local Afghan for families in her village. buy flour and other baking women, Mission East has initiated 54 self-help materials, and started to bake groups. Each group consists Access to credit bread, which her son then of about 20 women and Due to her situation, Sayeed sold at the market. With the each woman typically was invited to participate profits from selling bread, saves up to 40 afghani a when Mission East, in co- Sayeed could repay the loan. month, the equivalent of operation with local village Now, she has borrowed twice 0,90 USD. After a couple of councils, organized training the amount, and invested in years when the group has for kitchen gardening. more materials. become more mature and the common savings have "I learned a lot about farming, "Now, I bake every day, and grown to a reasonable size, sales and a healthy diet for send my son to the market many of the women take children," Sayeed says. with 50 loaves of bread. I loans for small businesses. 8 Achievements in 2012

Afghanistan • About 370 households received training and inputs in poultry • 43 new water systems were built, RUSLANDRUSSIA rearing. 3 more repaired and 8 schools provided with water reservoirs. • About 59 self-help groups (SHGs) were established and running. • 1,847 household latrines have been completed, 52 community • 22 km of gravel road was public-access latrines were built constructed. in mosques and schools. • 5 villages were provided with • About 19,250 individuals were intensive training in disaster educated in good hygiene preparedness. practices. • 1,380 households were provided with training and inputs in kitchen gardening and UKRAINE food storage and processing KAZAKHSTAN (including vegetable utilisation). MONGOLIETMONGOLIA RumænienRomania • Trainings in better nutrition, diets and child feeding practices were provided to 1,300 households. • Bee hives and training in honey

BULGARIENBULGARIA production was provided to 170 GEORGIENGEORGIAnew households. UZBEKISTAN ArmenienArmenia Romania North- TURKMENISTAN KoreaNord- • 1,330 vulnerable and margi- TYRKIETTURKEY TadsjikistanTajikistan nalized people assisted with korea distributions of medicine, clothing and food. Armenia • Over 500 children with a • Free medical consultations, disability were assessed and medicines and supplies received rehabilitative care. provided for 300 people, Afghanistan without medical insurance. • Over 1,500 children with IRAN disabilities and special needs • 800 Christmas boxes delivered KINACHINA attended inclusive project to families in need, those in schools. hospital and the elderly. • Advocacy led to changes in the PAKISTAN mainstream education law by Nepal including inclusive education. • 11,756 people received voluntary counseling on HIV/ AIDS. INDIENINDIA • 464,693 youth participated in information trainings on HIV/ AIDS. 9

Tajikistan • 185 children with disabilities North Korea received rehabilitation therapy. • Almost 20,000 young children • 6 parent support corners and 2,000 pregnant women/ (children’s corners) were new mothers had improved opened. RUSLANDRUSSIA nutrition during the spring/ • 9,000 households reached summer ‘lean period’. through campaigns on gender • Approximately 750 excep- equality. tionally vulnerable orphan • 100 religious local leaders and children were provided with government official trained on food assistance, winter clothing, equal opportunities for girls blankets, toys and educational and women. materials. • 50-60 women trained in basic • 511 families that were left business skills and government homeless after summer regulations. floods were provided with • 180 household latrines have con­struction materials to help UKRAINE been built in five villages. rebuild their homes. KAZAKHSTAN • 21 villages had preparation MONGOLIETMONGOLIA work for water systems done. RumænienRomania • Six latrine blocks have been Nepal built for six schools. • 1,500 adults and children from • Internships at day care centres 37 Water Users Committees and for children with disabilities BULGARIENBULGARIA 35 Child Clubs received training GEORGIENGEORGIA UZBEKISTAN have become mandatory in the on water system maintenance, curriculum of social therapists and hygiene. ArmenienArmenia due to advocacy. • 500 members of Community North- TURKMENISTAN KoreaNord- TYRKIETTURKEY TadsjikistanTajikistan Forest User Groups trained on forest management. korea • 400 vulnerable women and women with disabilities are being provided with basic Afghanistan literacy and advocacy training. IRAN • District authorities and civil society organisations capaci- tated in disaster and climate KINACHINA change preparedness.

PAKISTAN Nepal

INDIENINDIA 10 north korea Experiences from a closed country By Kendrah Jespersen, desk officer for North Korea

Rice or food Newly acquired treasures It is not easy, when all commu- In the beginning many of the nications take place through a children at the orphanages translator. As an example, one were very apathetic. It is a very day I found out that every time sad experience when you meet I asked if a family had any children that do not react to “food”, it was translated with anything. Fortunately, we are “rice” or “corn”. If I wanted able to see great progress, which to know, if they had any other is very encouraging and makes types of food, I had to ask all the efforts worthwhile. about it specifically. Over time, I have gained considerable In November 2012 I watched experience, which has given me the distribution of toys and On my first trip, I was met at an invaluable insight into this drawing supplies, provided by the airport, as we always are, by otherwise almost hermetically Mission East. It was great my North Korean guide. This sealed society. to see, how special it was for man would be my host for the the children to get their own North Korea is a country next 14 days. In North Korea Mission East cares crayons and drawing books. I where few people have we are not free to move about I have been in North Korea especially remember one boy, 7-8 access. Tourists are the country on our own, and four times as a representative of years old, who was completely rare and even less aid must be accompanied by our Mission East and I find that preoccupied with drawing a guide, who is also our translator. the level of trust and ease of picture. The drawing looked like organizations. Mission working with our local counter- one made by a 3-years-old, but East obtained the It can be exhausting and parts has increased with each he had the biggest smile on his opportunity to work frustrating at times needing visit – both government officials face. in North Korea in 2011, permissions for all of our daily and those working directly on through a partner already plans, and having to explain all the projects we run. It was obvious that some of the active in the country. of our reasons for carrying out children did not know what We are now the only certain checks or asking certain “We are very thankful for your to do with the crayons and Danish organization with questions. At other times, we support, because Mission East drawing books and that is a permission to distribute are told we cannot visit certain always keeps its promises and clear indication of the conti- CHINA places and do not receive clear cares about our children”, a nuous need for assistance that food aid. explanations why. local government official said can assure their psychological during one of my recent visits. development in the future. North Korea It can also be frustrating not to Having said that, there are still NORTH PYONGAN know for sure whether the areas At the orphanages we work a lot of children who are much SOUTH where we work are really where with, we found that on each too small for their age, and I PYONGAN SEA OF JAPAN YELLOW SEA the greatest needs are, as we subsequent visit the staff was hope that we will also be able PYONGYANG KANGWON cannot freely access other areas. more at ease with us; allowing to continue to supplement their SOUTH HWANGHAE All we can do is to confirm that us to weigh and measure more diet, for as long as there is a SOUTH KOREA there is indeed a great need in of the children and allowing us need for this. the parts of the country where to photograph more freely. we work. short news 11

Y’s Men and Y’s Menettes fundraise for Mission East The Y's Men's Clubs in Denmark have decided to raise money for Tajik children with disabilities. The children already receive rehabilitation and stimulation in local children’s centers, but there is an urgent need for renovation. Hence, the Y’s Men have decided to make “Children’s Corners in Tajikistan” their tax deduction Record Profit for Children at risk in project in 2013. In addition, The Y’s Menettes in Denmark have made “To Nepal bring hope to the children of North In late November, the Church Café at Saeby Church in Korea” their regional project until the Denmark arranged a Christmas fair, which gave a large middle of 2014. surplus of 25,000 DKK. Among the many activities were lottery, homemade cakes, wreaths and decorations. See more on www.ysmen.dk/projekter (in Danish) "We have been successful in organizing ourselves, and and www.ysmenetter.ysmen.dk (in our wreaths have a high quality reputation," says Emmy Danish) Jakobsen from the Church Cafe. The money collected has gone to Mission East’s work with children at risk in Nepal. Annual Meeting May 5th

Meet Mission East at Funds for the fight against Danish Church Days HIV/AIDS in Armenia 2013 Mission East has, as the only Danish develop- The event takes place on 9th to ment organization, received support from 12th of May in Aalborg Congress the international financial institution Global and Cultural Centre. Danish Fund. The funds will be used to fight HIV/AIDS Church Days is the largest in Armenia. In Eastern Europe the amount of interdenominational event in infected individuals is raising rapidly, and Denmark and takes place every the Armenian society needs help to turn this third year. development around. “Our goal is to reduce the number of infected amongst the most Read more on www.kirkedage.dk affected groups to less than five percent," says Raffi Doudaklian, Mission East’s longstanding Country Director. 12 tajikistan

15-year-old Ruzimoh with her mother Jamila, and her 6-year-old sister, Mohinur.

helped her three siblings, when they needed to draw something for their school assignments.

Ruzimoh won the prize One day, Mission East organized a drawing contest in the village, and Ruzimoh won. Later on special children's corner for children with disabilities was established in the village, with a few toys and books. It did not take long before Ruzimoh had read everything and filled all the drawing books.

Ruzimoh got her chance Currently, Ruzimoh teaches other girls to weave special garments for bridal outfits.

to flourish Ruzimoh’s mother, Jamila Boboeva, says: "My daughter Despite her disability, village in the province of is able to teach other Ruzimoh is a very fast lear- Panjakent. children, and when their ner. Her parents realized that mothers see it, they are when a children’s corner was In Tajikistan, many parents surprised. But she needs established in their village. are ashamed of having a more materials, such as child with disabilities. The books on how to learn When Ruzimoh was traditional view is that a different crafts." born, her mother quickly person with a disability discovered that she was not has no value, and is unable Access to a children's corner like other children, since to contribute to society. has made Ruzimoh’s talent Ruzimoh didn’t respond However, only little help was flourish. Both her parents, when her mother spoke to needed before Ruzimoh began and other parents in the her. When Ruzimoh grew to develop her creative talent. community, have realized up, she could not speak, and that she is a young girl with her mother tried to hide her Ruzimoh enjoys drawing, prospects. from the neighbours in the and has over the years, 13 Help for children in remote villages Panjakent is one of The children’s corners have Tajikistan's most remote until now been extremely areas. During the winter, sparsely equipped, but in avalanches often block the 2013, Mission East hopes roads, making it difficult, to renovate and buy new dangerous and sometimes materials with the help of even impossible to drive to the Y's Men in Denmark, and from the area. so the corners can become places where parents can Before Mission East began to meet, share experiences and work in Panjakent in 2011, have their children treated as families of children with locally as possible. disabilities had no access to counselling, treatment or Mission East has also other forms of support locally. established a health centre Everything was done in for children with disabilities Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, in the provincial centre. and was thus out of reach for It takes about one hour poor parents. to go there from most of the villages: "It makes a Access to local assistance big difference not having Now, Mission East has made to travel all the way to the support available locally. capital Dushanbe, but it is Scott Amis, Mission East local also important that we reach coordinator explains: out even further. That is why we have our mobile teams "Our mobile team is working and now also the children’s The road from Panjakent in the north to the capital in eight villages, and we have corners," explains Scott Amis. Dushanbe in the south is often inaccessible in the winter. opened a health clinic in the provincial capital, where See more photos and read families of children with more about Tajikistan on disabilities can get assistance. photo.miseast.org/tajikistan We have also established parents’ groups in the villages, so parents can support each other. Their meeting places are local children's corners, typically a room in a school or a health clinic with a few toys, books and physiotherapy The children’s corners are equipment." currently sparsely equipped. 14 nepal

Both toilet and clean water are now within Lachhu’s reach It isn’t easy to find your way if you are blind, especially when living in an inaccessible area like the mountains of Western Nepal. Simple things like going to the toilet or fetching clean water become an enormous challenge.

44-year-old Lachhu Tamata system and latrines in the was born blind. When she village: had to fetch water 150 meters away from her home, “When we establish water she used to stumble many systems and latrines in an times on the way, especially area, we always check where in the rainy season, when people with disabilities live. the ground is muddy and Afterwards, we make sure Now Lachhu is able slippery. In addition, Lachhu that systems and latrines are to go to the tap stand often hit the many domestic established in places that are on her own to do the dishes. animals that walk around in easily accessible for these the village. When she had people. The ability to manage to go to the toilet, she had basic necessities on their own to ask family members for changes their everyday lives assistance. Because of her completely, as it makes them disability, Lachhu was one less dependent on others,” This approach made a big of the persons that Mission Peter Drummond Smith, difference for Lachhu. She East paid special attention Operations Director for now has access to clean water to, when the organization Mission East, explains. only 20 meters away from her established a new water home, and a latrine has been built only 10 meters away. In This is how Mission East reaches Lachhu’s village: addition, the way has been cleared to minimize hind­ • From the capital Kathmandu, you can fly to Surkhet in Western Nepal, changing rances as much as possible. planes once. You can also go by car or public transport. In that case, the trip takes two full days. Lachhu smiles, when she tells • From Surkhet, you walk for three days to get to the areas where Mission East works. about her new life: • Mission East works in partnership with local organizations that have permanent staff in the area. “Before, it was difficult to get This is why Mission East works in these inaccessible areas: water, or find the way to the • This is where the need is greatest. toilet. Now it is easy”. • Mission East works to ensure clean water, sanitation, enhanced reading skills, awareness of rights and agricultural skills, in order to ensure that the poor and marginalized are able to take part in future development. • A road is being built which will eventually go through the area and continue to China. It will provide access to the outside world, and hence development. 15

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