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Journey to Afghanistan - Chapter 3, page 11

Kamer Bandi Balq - On the Road to Balq - by Ken Magee

Word came to us asking that we make a survey of a small hospital at Hyroton, some sixty miles away near the Bridge of Peace. We decided then that Dr. Bill and I would go with Michael while Dr. Neil and Dr. Tom would stay and work with the Afghan doctors in the small clinic. Before leaving we had opportunity to look around the area.

Three of us along with the chief and an entourage curious about these westerners walked over to look at the encampment. (Dr. Neil is a very tall man and this always added to his large following.) Tents were closely spaced with central poles holding up a variety of roofs composed of stretched gunnysacks, plastic sheets or blankets. Generally one end was closed and a glance into the open end saw some bedding and a few personal belongings, usually a pot was near that opening with remnants of a fire where weeds or twigs were burned for cooking. A few stones were placed to hold the pot above the heat. Many tents appeared empty. The chief said there were only about three hundred and fifty refugees still living in the camp. Most had been assimilated into surrounding villages but came here to get food distribution and to attend the clinic when needed. The United Nations was strongly encouraging and implementing this.

Dr. Neil and the Chief showed us how the water source had been improved. NWMTI had purchased several large clean metal barrels for drinking water. Each had a large lid on top and a spigot at the bottom. We looked inside - indeed the water did appear clean. We were providing a stipend for men with burros to go a distance to a well and get clean water. Even as we talked a young man walked up leading his burro loaded with water cans on both sides. Dr. Neil inquired to make sure that this duty was being shared by several. The stipend would be very helpful to a family without income.

We followed a winding pathway along narrow adobe ridges between pits from which building material had been dug to a small irrigation ditch some two-hundred meters away. It ran brown with dirty water. This had been the camp's previous source of drinking water. About ten people had died here in recent weeks. Clean water would greatly reduce this mortality rate, mostly affecting the very young and old.

On returning to the clinic area they showed us a small courtyard surrounded by its adobe fence with a rope across the center about two meters off the ground. This was the volleyball court. What a great idea; but, it was a private area too with many piles of human feces along the inside of this fence. I thought , "Yes, indeed Afghanistan is a land of large contrasts, magnified by its years of tragedy."

It was noon and time for Dr. Bill and myself to return with our driver to our house in Mazar preparatory to the afternoon inspection of the distant hospital at Hyroton.

Chapter 4 - Hyroton - Next>>