Fatema's during weaving a gabion in Cheshma Shirin, Badghis province @FAO

Cheshma Shirin, a village rich in history and culture, is nestled 30 kilometers from Qala-i-Naw's heart in Badghis province. With the historical Nariman castle watching over it from the north, the village thrives with 250 families belonging predominantly to the Sadat tribe. The lifeline of Cheshma Shirin, its agrarian economy, relies heavily on irrigation. Even then, many families deal with challenges that extend beyond the fields.

Among the village's residents is Mrs. Fatema, a 34-year-old mother of three. Fate dealt her a cruel blow in 2015 when a tragic accident took her husband away. With two sons and a daughter to provide for, the weight of economic hardship is pressed on her. Her elder son, only 13 at the time, had to forsake his education to support the family. With no fixed source of income and compounded by her illiteracy, Fatema often relied on the kindness of neighbors and humanitarian aid.

In Cheshma Shirin, the frequent water shortages in summer and autumn exacerbate the villagers' struggles. However, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of a project spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This initiative, which involved the construction of check dams, trenches, and the plantation of pistachio saplings - promised to rejuvenate the village's economy.

The project wasn't just about infrastructure or agriculture; it was about empowerment. Mrs. Fatema found herself involved in gabion weaving under the expert guidance of trainers. The money she earned from this task became a lifeline. Not only did she manage to buy essentials from the local market, but she also equipped herself with valuable skills. The project funded by World Bank and implemented by FAO became a turning point in Fatema's life, imbuing her with hope and self-reliance.

Today, with her newly-acquired skill in gabion weaving, Fatema sees a glimmer of hope for her family's future. A skill that promised both economic uplift and environmental balance. With every twist and turn of her hands, Fatema wasn't just crafting gabions; she was weaving a brighter future for her family. She envisions using this craft as a steady income source, ensuring that her children get the education they deserve. Expressing her heartfelt gratitude to FAO, Mrs. Fatema voices the collective sentiment of many beneficiaries when she emphasizes the need for the continuity of such transformative projects.

“The earnings from my newfound profession didn't merely provide to my family immediate needs; they spread the seeds for a future where my children could dream again, and the villager’s lands would no longer be threatened by drought,” said Fatema.

In the heart of Cheshma Shirin, amidst fields and historical relics, Mrs. Fatema's story shines as a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of well-conceived community projects. Fatema often found herself recalling about the days before the FAO intervention. Those were days of uncertainty, where there was no her hope.

Now, as she sat in the heart of a rejuvenated Cheshma Shirin, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. The village had not just witnessed the construction of check dams or the planting of trees; it had experienced a rebirth. Fatema, with her newfound skills, became an emblem of this transformation. With pride in her eyes and hope in her heart, she looked towards a horizon filled with promise.

The FAO through the Emergency Food Security Project supports women by creating short term job opportunities such as gabion weaving in the development and rehabilitation of the sustainable water resources.