Saleha works making around 70 cents a day, and her elderly husband doesn't work at all. Two years ago, they lost their farm, and since then, have incurred a $550 debt. With pressures in Afghanistan mounting, their lender insists that they pay now - and if they don't have cash, he says, they can pay with their three-year old daughter, Najiba. She will clean house until she reaches puberty, then he will marry her to one of his son's.
Saleha has six kids, and raises her sister's children - her sister died in childbirth.
Afghan Assist is a people-to-people movement committed to continued support of the Afghan people. We are rooted in Afghanistan, supported by people here and abroad. We found this story featured in The Wall Street Journal on October 16 - we can't help everyone, but we can help who we can.
Help us lift Saleha's family out of poverty in a meaningful way. Please donate generously. The first $10,000 of proceeds go to the family, and any others people designate specifically for this family. We will follow up with them to try to ensure daughters are safeguarded.
Please email support@afghanassist.org with any questions.
Update, October 23, 2021: your generosity has blown us away. Those donors who have indicated we can use their funding to help others in similar situation, we will do this. If you indicate that you want your donation to go to Saleha’s family (above the 10k) also indicate, and we will do that.
Funds that go to Saleha's family will be in a responsible way that our social workers will work out with them (e.g. monthly payments, funds for kids' education, buying back their farm, etc.) We will continue to update people. Thank you, from the bottom of hearts. You're making a profound difference in many, many precious lives.
