We have recently heard that we have been awarded a grant from DFID, the government department for international development. It has been a lengthy and arduous process for AFUK and PK representatives, but securing the grant for almost £250,000 over 3 years will allow us to extend health care service provision at Baghbanan Health Centre, which we have been running since 2011 (the independent evaluation of this can be found elsewhere on the site).

However, although the application process was challenging the hard work is far from over as we now have much to do to implement the developments that have been funded and quite rightly, we will be closely scrutinised throughout the project by DFID who have entrusted us with this substantial sum. We will of course keep you up to date via Newsletters and via the website with what are doing and how the local communities are benefiting.

While this grant represents a significant investment in one of our projects, AF supporters will know that we have many irons in the fire and the level of need in the communities we serve is very great so please don’t think that this grant means we don’t need your support any more. Mian Gul school in particular still needs significantly more money to provide fixtures and fittings for the school, money towards teachers salaries and a bus to transport the children to school to replace the ageing minivans that have to make several trips because of the number of children.