Afghanistan province ‘gets’ stability

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan– Shakela, an 11-year-old student, is pursuing a typical American dream of wanting to go to college to be a doctor with a practice in her hometown. But Shakela isn’t an American, she’s an Afghan living in the Panjshir province of Afghanistan.

Shakela, and many people in the Panjshir province, seem to get it when it comes to building an insurgent-free, secure, self-sufficient province, and the people’s actions are doing the speaking.

In a joint effort with the government to make this happen for Panjshir, members of Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team set out to evaluate a future district center, some schools and a clinic on a June 28 mission to the Dara district.

Abdul Monire Ayabe, Panjshir director of communication, met the team at the potential construction site for the district center. He said the PRT can expect to see continued improvements in the province as Panjshir government officials take charge and push toward self-governance.

“Right now there are still problems,” said Ayabe. “We have no place to work. We have stability, but no place to work. Our work stations are in a house with no room right now. We are missing communication between the district and provincial government.”

Once the communication center is complete, Ayabe said the right officials will have a place to conduct the people’s business.

A new building is only part of Ayabe’s plan for the future. He made more than one reference to having multiple computers and technology at the communication center for the younger generation to be active in the government.

The Panjshir government has been actively changing recently.

In late March through late April, the province was without a governor. Former Governor Hajji Bahlol left the position in March. Deputy Governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri filled the position until Governor Keramuddin Keram officially took the office March 26. There was some political tension during the transition period, but it was a peaceful and orderly transfer of authority.

The transfer of authority from one governor to another with minimal tension speaks volumes about the stability of Panjshir,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Curtis Velasquez, Panjshir PRT commander and Abilene, Kan., native. “When you get out and talk with the leaders, the people and even the children, you hear them talk about a bright future. That is extremely motivating. It shows us that the people want better governance, rule of law and development. More importantly, their actions have shown they are willing to work for it.”

There were other indications of progress during the June 28th mission.

On the way back to Forward Operating Base Lion, the PRT drove onto the scene of a one-vehicle accident. The windshield of the car was smashed, and there was a lot of blood. Without hesitation, the team stopped to help.

As soon as an injured man was located in the accident, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shannon Crump, Panjshir PRT medic and Lenoir, N.C., native, quickly evaluated him and rendered first aid. Through the help of the interpreter, Crump cleaned the man’s wounds and bandaged him to stop the bleeding. She sent him to the hospital with clear instructions.

 A woman giving medical care to a man in Afghanistan is not common and isn’t always permissible, said Jamil, a PRT Panjshir interpreter. He said during Taliban rule in Kabul, it was strictly forbidden.

“One time I was sick, and my mother took me to the hospital in Kabul,” said Jamil. “Ten women passed by me until one woman stopped and asked me what was wrong. You could see I was sick. If the Taliban were in charge, that couldn’t happen.”

A government official promising more impressive governance, a peaceful transition of power, a female medic rendering first aid to a male and a young girl planning on becoming a doctor could all be signs that the Panjshiris are looking to lead the rest of Afghanistan into a stable future.