The Italian contingent of the Train Advise Assist Command West (TAAC W) made a large donation to the “Khaja Abdullah Ansari” orphanage in Herat, as part of the civil and military cooperation projects coordinated with the Department for Social Policies of the governorate of Herat.
The materials requested by the management of the orphanage and delivered by the Alpine troops of the Taurinense they are a kitchen complete with accessories for preparing food for the orphans guests of the structure, material to set up two play areas for children, computer equipment, school and sports clothing.
The project at the orphanage continues the work begun in 2008 when the Italian Civil and Military Cooperation started the first donations of basic necessities for children and the first works to secure the infrastructure and then continue in the following years with further works also aimed at improving sanitary conditions, requalification of play areas and constant interest in improving the educational aspects of the institute.
The donation took place in the presence of the commander of the TAAC-W, Brigadier General Massimo Biagini, of the Deputy Governor of Herat, dr Mohayuddin Noori, of the head of the social affairs department, dr. Abdul Sabour Rahmani and the director of the orphanage Mrs Zainab Barakzai as well as a representative of the children who are guests of the structure.
Ms. Barakzai thanked the Italians who have always been spontaneously close to the needs of the less fortunate Afghan population and - in recalling the numerous projects carried out in her structure - she said that the first children helped by the Italian contingent in 2008 are now men and women inserted in the world of work or students like other more fortunate ones.
The projects carried out by Taurinense in their mandate they have implemented support for the civilian population of Herat continuing the work started by the Italian contingents since 2006 and are addressed to various areas of intervention. The donation to the Ansari orphanage is aimed at promoting the social inclusion of the poorest classes and the schooling of the orphans who are guests of the center.
The orphanage, named after the important figure of Khwaja Abd Allah Ansari of Herat, a prolific author of poetic works and treatises on Sufi mysticism written in both Arabic and Persian whose mausoleum is still the destination of an incessant pilgrimage, is the most important reference structure for orphaned children in the region. It currently hosts over 300 boys and girls.
