Bridges of hope on rugged roads: the fight against polio in Pachiragam

Nangarhar, Afghanistan - In the remote areas of Pachiragam District, Nangarhar, where the early morning rays have yet to reach the homes of "Landay Sabarkhan" village, a young man is preparing to secure a brighter future for the children in his community.

He is Aminullah Rahimzai, a 26-year-old who has devoted the past four years of his life to protecting the children in his village and safeguarding them from permanent disability.
Aminullah is not just a volunteer; he is a vital bridge between his community and the unwavering fight against polio.

The start of the day and the path of determination
For Aminullah, the polio vaccination campaign days begin with a profound sense of responsibility: "I plan for the day ahead when others are still asleep." Aminullah says quietly, with the green vaccine carrier resting on his shoulder. His journey is not easy; he must navigate mountain paths, narrow alleys, and sometimes face harsh natural conditions. Yet, in his own words, delivering two drops of the vaccine to every child is the greater purpose that makes every hardship along the way seem insignificant.

In areas where traditional values run deep, Aminullah understands that delivering the vaccine alone is not enough. He must win the hearts of the people. He speaks to families with the utmost respect and courtesy, sitting separately with the head of each household to explain the importance of the vaccine in plain, simple language.

 Drops of health: the effort to save children's lives on the rugged roads of Pachiragam © Polio Free Afghanistan | 2026

Breaking doubt and building trust
In Pachiragam, as in many other remote areas, misinformation and misconceptions about the vaccine remain an ongoing challenge. Some families hesitate due to fear. Here, Aminullah plays the role of a skilled communicator. He says: "I never convince anyone through anger or pressure. Our tools are gentle words, patience, and respect."

To reinforce the impact of his message, Aminullah uses real-life examples from within the community. He shares the stories of children who were vaccinated and are now living healthy lives, while contrasting them with the bitter reality of children left permanently paralyzed due to not receiving the vaccine. These true stories plant the seeds of change in the hearts of parents.

A united community: the key to success
Aminullah's story is not just the story of one individual; it is a tale of community solidarity. In this struggle, the local elders stand by his side. Allah Nazar, a respected, white-bearded head of the village, plays an important role in facilitating Aminullah's work.
Allah Nazar states emphatically: "Protecting the lives of our children is our shared responsibility. Let us set aside doubt and fear. If we unite, we can free not only our village but the entire country from polio."
His words foster an atmosphere of trust in every corner of the village.
On the other hand, religious scholars serve as the spiritual pillars of this fight. Mawlawi Abdul Momin, the imam of the local mosque, conveys to the people from the pulpit that safeguarding health is a religious duty. In his sermons, he clearly states: "Islam advocates for the preservation of life and the prevention of disease. The polio vaccine is an important part of this very responsibility."
His voice also serves as an invitation to other scholars to take a leading role in raising public awareness within their own communities.

 A shared resolve: when village elders and volunteers unite to eradicate polio © Polio Free Afghanistan | 2026

A message of change
The fruits of these collective efforts are now clearly visible in Landay Sabarkhan village. The atmosphere that was once filled with doubt has now given way to a spirit of awareness and cooperation. People have come to understand that these two drops are the guarantee of a healthy future for their children.
Aminullah Rahimzai, walking through one of the village's alleyways at the end of the day with his colleagues, shares his final message with a smile: "Ending polio is not the work of volunteers alone; it is the responsibility of every household, every mother, and every father."
He believes that when parents, religious scholars, and community leaders join hands for this shared purpose, the day will soon come when Afghanistan proudly declares itself a polio-free nation.
For Aminullah, this is not merely a dream, but a reality he pursues on foot, across every corner of Pachiragam.