Abdullah's story

Abdullah lives with his family in Bela Jijal (population 600), Kohistan, northwest Pakistan. Employed by Catholic Relief Services (CRS – Caritas USA) as an Education Field Officer, he would meet children for classes out in the open, exposed to all weathers. CRS established an education programme which included raising funds to make a building for the school.

Abdullah's loss

In July 2010, Pakistan was hit by devastating rains resulting in floods through the length of the country along the Indus River.  In these floods, Abdullah and his family lost everything. Even the land that they had built their home on was washed away by the raging waters. Fortunately none of his family died, and he and his family were able to move in with a cousin.

However it was some time before other CRS staff became aware of his loss. Abdullah continued to come in to work and help with emergency assessments and distribution of emergency tents to others in need.

Rope trolley

Meanwhile, over a couple of weekends without outside assistance, Abdullah set up a rope trolley to link again the two halves of his village – substituting for the bridge that had been washed away by the floods.

Today, 10 months after the emergency, Caritas donor funds from New Zealand have helped CRS restore the town’s drinking water and build 40 transitional shelters for others in the community whose houses have been washed away. CRS are working with the community to find land on higher ground to rebuild the school. 

Abdullah has built a new house on his cousin’s land and continues to work with CRS. Head of the CRS office in Besham, Nasullah Khan, says he is inspired by Abdullah. ‘He represents the selfless giving that we aspire to at CRS.’

Also read Kamala's story.