All for one goal- Iftar gathering of World Vision Afghanistan partners

World Vision Afghanistan (WVA) hosted an *Iftar dinner gathering on 26th June 2016.   “All for one goal” was the theme of the evening event. An amazingly diverse group of World Vision’s partners, including government officials from departments such as Religious Affairs, Governor’s Representative, Education, Economy and Health, as well as INGO and National NGOs, and UN agencies such as World Food Program (WFP), UNICEF and OCHA came together to build and maintain strong relationships and trust within each other.

The main purpose of this event was to advocate for the needs of Afghan children and their families to local and international levels.

WVA believes that by breaking the fast with partners who follow the same goal as World Vision (Child and Family Well-being) a stronger partnership will be built in order to reach the common goal of creating a better future for Afghan children.

The program started with welcome remarks by Mr Jim Alexander, WVA National Director. Speaking at the dinner, Mr Alexander said that “Tonight we are here to once again remind each other there are still many very vulnerable mothers and children who need our support and care; and only together can we help them to create a better future for themselves. That is the one goal we all share. When I first came to Afghanistan most of you here were children, but look at how far you have come. However, these children we see around us will be those who determine the future of this country, not us. What will that future be if they have no hope and no opportunity to see that change is possible in their lives?”

Brief introductory videos about WVA Sector Achievements and the WVA Street Children Football Team were also shown to participants. The football team joined the gathering and performed a drama about their lives of labour on the streets.

In closing, Mr.Said Abdulwahed Asemi the Director of Religious Affair voiced appreciation for this WVA initiative and stated that “I would like to thank WVA which is working in close coordination with us. They have trained 2,000 religious leaders (Imams) from all over Herat province on important issues which are needed in our context such as women rights in Islam, to end violence against women, and to stop early marriage.” He went on to state: “The Imams who were trained promise to work on all these aspects and we hope one day the situation for women will improve and we do not have cases of early marriage any longer. Once again we give thanks to World Vision for all of its work and cooperation with us.”

Mr Asemi also pointed that the WVA’s projects are well designed, well targeted, and have good impact on the lives of women and children. Everyone enjoyed the food, warm conversations, and inspirational speeches.

 * Iftar (or Fatoor) (Arabic: إفطار‎‎ ʾifṭār ’breakfast’) is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset.

Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer.

(Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftar)