Hirat Province

Kids to Kids International in Hirat Province, Western Afghanistan - February 2009

Hirat is a province in Western Afghanistan that borders Iran. During the years of war in Afghanistan, many thousands of families fled to Iran to seek refuge and have been gradually returning to their homes since 2002. Most of the children returning to Afghanistan with their families have never seen their country before and must start a new life with a new home, new school and new friends. Coming back to their country – a process known as reintegration – can often be very difficult for returnee children.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) works with returnee children, youth, families and communities in Hirat to help them begin a new life in Afghanistan. IRC helps to establish child and youth groups, where children and youth can play sports and games, learn to draw and paint, and most importantly, make friends.

Returnee children in Hirat were thrilled to receive the picture books and educational supplies from students in the United States through Kids to Kids International. The books and supplies were distributed in February 2009 to 91 girls and boys, as well as to child-friendly spaces throughout the communities where children can go to read, draw and play. The children said they had never seen such great gifts – they especially liked taking pictures with the cameras!

The children were so inspired by the student-created picture books that they decided to make some of their own! The picture books are also being used in IRC’s community-based education project to show teachers and students how Afghan children, just like children in the United States, can write and draw stories about their lives.

IRC and the children of Hirat say:
THANK YOU KIDS TO KIDS INTERNATIONAL FOR BEING OUR FRIENDS!