Introduction

The objective of the National Solidarity Programme is to lay the foundation for a sustainable form of inclusive local governance, rural reconstruction, and poverty alleviation. The NSP can be best measured by the impact the programme has on communities and individuals in rural Afghanistan. In the final analysis it is through their efforts and their contributions and guidance of their own community-led projects that the NSP programme as a whole will succeed.

"As of December 2007, the community mobilization activities of the National Solidarity Programme have positively impacted more than 13 million people in rural Afghanistan ."

Stories of their success help illustrate and validate the ongoing commitment and support that rural residents and the international community give to the NSP and to its efforts to alleviate local poverty and build infrastructure and development in Afghanistan.

Here are but a few of their success stories.

Almost a year ago, in Mirbacha Kot district of Kabul province a young lady named Miss. Mariam lost her life due tothe lack of medical facilities while giving birth. Despite the fact that Mariam's husband made every effort to take her from their distant village to a medical clinic on time, she died on the way before reaching the hospital

Laghman is among many Afghan provinces where numerous conflicts have been brought about as a result of three decades of civil strife within Afghanistan. Prior to this, there were growing signs of disunity within the communities. And due to certain interpersonal disputes most of the residents refused to talk to each other.

 Houran Shahr-e-Bala Village is located in the remote mountainous region of Arganj Khuwa district of Badakhshan province. For many years its residents were forced to navigate steep and rugged mountain trails  while traveling to and from the village. These jagged rocky trails while difficult to traverse during warmer months; were virtually impossible to navigate while covered in winter snows.