Posted By: Rebecca W., working with CIVIC’s Erica in Afghanistan
At 3pm on July 22, 2006, Amanullah sent his ten-year old son to get a much-needed haircut. As usual, the father and son had been working since the morning selling ice-cream from their cart. This day, however, changed that routine forever. As his son reached the hairdressers, a suicide bomber exploded a car-full of explosives that were directed at a convoy of Canadian troops. Eight civilians, including Amanullah’s son, were killed.
Amanullah immediately ran over to help his son. A second suicide bomb then exploded and shrapnel became embedded in Amanullah’s feet, legs and arms. Since that day, Amanullah has found it almost impossible to support his family of six women and small children. He no longer has an assistant to help him with the ice-cream cart and his injuries make it difficult for him to undertake the hard physical labor required to make and sell ice-cream.
Amanullah lost his son to a suicide bomber targeting Canadian troops
Amanullah borrowed money from his relatives to support his family and to pay for hospital bills and was in despair about his future. ACAP, however, heard about his situation and contacted him to offer assistance. “This help was a miracle,” he told me. After interviewing Amanullah about his skills and employment options, ACAP agreed to fulfill his request for a cow. “I asked for a cow,” he said, “because I can keep it and feed it and we will sell the milky products of the cow and get money for our daily needs.” ACAP is also providing stationary to two of Amanullah’s children who are attending primary school.
