Supporting Afghan Women and Girls on the Move

Mahbuba came to Türkiye from Afghanistan with her family to rebuild her life, after a childhood spent in the shadow of war. Forced to migrate at the age of 17 due to the conflict in her home country, Mahbuba now lives a modest yet hopeful life with her husband and three children.

Mahbuba's youngest child requires special care due to a hereditary condition. Mahbuba, who spends most of her days caring for her daughter's treatment, says, "My daughter's smile is my strength. Every day she feels a little better, it gives me new hope."

Her husband works irregularly in the recycling sector. Due to an injury to his chest during an explosion in Afghanistan, he cannot work in physically demanding jobs for long periods. For this reason, Mahbuba has taken on the responsibility of caring for their children at home. She summarizes her determination in life with the words, 'It’s difficult but not impossible. I have to be strong for my family.'

Although Mahbuba dropped out of her own education, she places great importance on her children's education. Having met with Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM), Mahbuba has been receiving support for both her children's school attendance and access to healthcare ever since. Mahbuba says,  "School isn't just a place of knowledge; it's a place of hope for my children. Seeing the joy on their faces as they go to school every morning means the world to me."

Mahbuba both builds solidarity with other mothers and feels the healing power of sharing similar experience, by participating in the activities held in ASAM. She tells, "I learned that I am not alone here. Sometimes just being listened to helps a person breathe again."

Mahbuba’s greatest dream is for her daughter to regain her health and to build a safe and peaceful life with her family. 'One day, my daughter will run on her own feet. When I think of that day, all the fatigue inside me disappears.'"

Despite all the challenges of life, there is still a spark of hope in Mahbuba’s eyes. Because she chooses to live not in the shadow of the past, but in the hope of the future."

(Note: The real name of the beneficiary has been changed.)