Recently Steve Brown, former Trustee for Rotary International, received news from Abdul Qayoum Almas, Jalalabad Rotary President 2018-2019 and In Country Program Director of the Afghan Youth Connect Project (AYC) and Teaching English through Technology (TETT) and a member of the Afghanistan National PolioPlus Committee, about a polio eradication awareness campaign undertaken in Afghanistan by his team. Their team has been involved in this effort for many years. Last year there were only six cases of polio caused by the wild virus in Afghanistan and this year there have not been any such cases.
The AYC and TETT team members collectively carried out a volleyball tournament for polio awareness campaign voluntarily. Furthermore, it is substantial to imply that this volleyball tournament was held between following schools’ students on a much larger scale, hence fortunately the watchers of different ages participated.
1- Nangarhar Boys High School
2- Chicknawary Boys High School
3- Abdul Wakil Boys High School
4- Shahid Mohammad Arif Boys High School
5- Nasrat II Boys High School
6- Mia Omer Boys High School
2- Chicknawary Boys High School
3- Abdul Wakil Boys High School
4- Shahid Mohammad Arif Boys High School
5- Nasrat II Boys High School
6- Mia Omer Boys High School
This volleyball tournament was arranged in Jalalabad - Sirajul Amerat playground, and after the government collapse and since Taliban ruling, this was the biggest volleyball sport activity for the polio awareness after many years. It is also important to indicate that at the start of the tournament, the students also presented and showcased the gymnastics and kickboxing moves and tactics to the audience which was appreciated and enjoyed by all.
These young sportsmen also received cash amounts as a present from the Director of Nangarhar Education Department. All schools’ administrators and students along with the education department members participated in this tournament.
This is our joint mission to eradicate polio and we therefore take full responsibility on our shoulders to assist under any circumstances. This was a grand celebration that successfully within two days this volleyball tournament was finished as pre-planned, and hundreds of people are aware now and will share the message with their friends, families and loved ones in the neighborhood about polio eradication, its prevention and significance of vaccination for their children. The sport tools which have polio messages and logos will be used in the future in different areas. There was also a PowerPoint Presentation created highlighting the volleyball tournament and the polio awareness campaign, Click here to download the PowerPoint photo presentation.
A report out of this effort emphasizes the need for Rotarians to remain vigilant in keeping up the momentum of giving to the polio eradication campaign.