24 DECEMBER 2009 | LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

 

Ali Jan lives in Mendrawol village in Laghman province, along a road being constructed by USAID.  With new roads come community outreach and development projects.  In addition to providing better access to schools, clinics, and markets, USAID ensures that its roads projects include development initiatives requested by local communities. 

 

Ali Jan said his life has changed since the road construction began because he received a small grant from USAID to build a fish farm on his land – one of five such grants awarded.  The Fish Farm Association of Nangarhar provided training to Ali and the other future fish farmers.  “Fish breeding is an industry I can sustain and it provides me with long-term income generation to support my family,” said Ali Jan.

 

Previously, Ali earned Afs 4,000 ($80) per month by selling crops he grew on his small plot of land.  Ali’s twin daughters were unable to attend school because they had to help their mother grow vegetables. 

 

Ali’s new fish farm holds 2,500 fish.  His income has increased to approximately Afs 10,000 ($200) per month.  He and his wife both work on the farm and earn a sufficient income from a business they built on their own land.  Ali can now provide his children with shoes, clothes, and even a bicycle, as well as afford a more healthful diet that includes fish.  Most importantly, his school-aged children are enrolled in classes, including his twin daughters.

 

The benefits of Ali’s fish farm extend far beyond his immediate family.  The 23 other families living in his village can purchase protein-rich fish at a reasonable price.  As the road is built, Ali can easily bring his fish to sell in other markets.  

 

Community development activities such as fish farm construction foster support and ownership of new USAID-constructed roads and provide sustainable employment once the roads are constructed.